The story of a summer : $b or, Journal leaves from ChappaquaCleveland, Cecilia Pauline
General
The story of a summer : $b or, Journal leaves from Chappaqua
Cleveland, Cecilia Pauline
Chappaqua (N.Y.); Greeley family
One of my most intimate friends, Marguerite Aymar, after having visited
several watering-places, and contributed sparkling letters to different
New York journals this summer, has now come to Westchester County to
pass away quietly the remainder of the season, and gather up strength
for her literary labors during the coming winter. I learn by a letter
received from her yesterday, that she is boarding within driving
distance of Chappaqua--a very agreeable prospect for me, for Marguerite
and I are much given to long talks together, and are very fond of an
exchange of ideas over our many literary plans.
Miss Aymar is a clever young writer, by no means confining herself to
the graceful poems, stories, and sketches that she dashes off with such
ease, but evincing talent and tact in her more thoughtful magazine
articles. She is now, she tells me, at work upon a novel.
_September 13_.
Our home circle is once more complete, for Mrs. Lamson, who left us
some weeks ago to visit friends in Connecticut, has now returned to
remain with us until we go down to the city.
Mrs. Lamson was one of dear uncle's earliest friends, their
acquaintance dating back indeed to the days of Poultney--and we are all
deeply attached to her.
_September 15_.
Arthur's name, I believe, has not yet been mentioned in my journal
since he left us early in August. He is a very tormenting
correspondent, for he never writes with the promptitude that would be
agreeable, but his letters when they do come are always entertaining,
and one that arrived this morning, detailing his adventures since his
departure from Chappaqua, we found especially so. Before making some
extracts from it, I must explain that he left us to join a number of
young men from Chappaqua, headed by our neighbor, Mr. Carpenter, who
were to camp out at Rye Beach, and indulge in unlimited fishing
parties. This out-of-doors life delighted Arthur, accustomed as he had
been to foot journeys in Europe, and when the party broke up he bought
a waterproof suit, hired a boat and a tent, and rowed up the Sound to
Boston, where he lives, sleeping meantime on land or in his boat, as
best suited his caprice. I will now give his exploits in his own words.
"I remained on the beach some time after Mr. Carpenter and the others
left, caught and made food of many fishes, and came near making myself
food for them, for in hauling up anchor in a rough sea I tipped out of
the boat, but luckily saved myself by clutching its side, and lifting
myself in at imminent risk of turning the whole concern bottom upwards.
"Being wrapped in slumber on the rocks one night with a big fire
burning beside me, my bed of dry seaweed caught fire, and woke me by
its fierce breath; but escaping an evil fate for the present, I came
safely home to Boston, which I felt keen joy to see once more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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