Zigzag Journeys in Europe Part 2

My good father has consented for me to go.

He thinks that the tour, to be a really profitable one, should be short, and that it would be better to attempt to visit only a portion of a single country.

I have decided what country I would most like to visit.

It is "fair Normandy," the scene of the most romantic events of both English and French history.

I would go from Boston to London; from London to Dieppe; and then I would make partly on foot a zigzag journey to the places indicated on the enclosed map of Normandy, and such others, including Paris, as you may suggest.

The old towns on the coast of Normandy are especially beautiful in summer, with their cool harbors, fine landscapes, and historic ruins. I am told that they are favorite places of resort of both the English and French people, and that they give one delightful insights of the best social life.

In this journey, we would have views of London and Paris, and would be able to study that part of France whose history is a.s.sociated with old English wars, and that is most famous in romance and song.

I make the suggestion at your own request. You are the better judge in the whole matter, and it will give my father pleasure to adopt any plan for me you may think advisable.

I thank you again for the invitation, and father wishes me to express to you his sense of your kindness.

I wish you a most pleasant vacation, and am

Affectionately yours,

Frank Gray.

"Fan me with a feather!" Tom Toby used sometimes to say after reading one of Frank's letters; and we are not sure but this careful note would have tempted a light remark, had he ever seen it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: NORMAN FISHER-GIRL.]

Soon after Frank's note, came a note from the Wynns:--

Concord, Ma.s.s., March 22.

Dear Teacher:

Father thinks so favorably of your kind invitation that we venture to express our preference for a route of travel.

It is a very simple one. We would go from Boston to Liverpool, and walk from Liverpool to London, _en zigzag_.

This would take us through the heart of England, and enable us to visit such historic places as Boscobel, where Charles II. was concealed after the battle of Worcester, old Nottingham, Kenilworth, Oxford, and G.o.dstowe Nunnery, Stratford-on-Avon, White Horse Hill, and a great number of old English villages and ruins.

Or we would go to Glasgow, thence to Edinburgh, and then make short journeys towards London, visiting Abbotsford, Melrose, and the ruins on the Border.

We are reading Walter Scott's "Kenilworth." The book, as you may have guessed, has caused us to set our affections strongly on the middle of England as the scene of our proposed tour.

With kind remembrances of all your kindness to us.

Ernest Wynn.

Wyllys Wynn.

[Ill.u.s.tration: KING CHARLES'S HIDING-PLACE.]

Later came a characteristic note from two of the other boys.

Dear Teacher,--Our parents are desirous for us to go, but can hardly afford the expense. We have permission to accept your invitation, if we will travel so cheaply that the cost to each will not be more than $100. Can this be done? We are willing to go and return in the steerage, travel third-cla.s.s, and take s.h.i.+lling lodgings, and eat plain food. We would prefer a tour through the great manufacturing towns of Scotland and England.

Respectfully,

George Howe.

Leander Towle.

On Sat.u.r.day of vacation-week, Master Lewis opened a much-blotted envelope, and read the following rather surprising communication:--

Master Lewis,--Father's answer to me is, "You may go anywhere that promises any improvement."

I have been thinking of it. One should see their own country first. This journey would about suit me: they are very interesting places,--Newport, Old Orchard Beach, White Mountains, Franconia Mountains, Adirondacks, Saratoga, Niagara.

Mother has been crying. She is afraid, if I go to Europe, I will never come back again.

Father thinks that there is no danger of that.

If I must go across the sea, I would prefer to go--anywhere _you_ like, only take the shortest route and fastest steamer over the water.

Were you ever sick on the ocean?

I am going to organize a society of travellers in the school,--a secret society that will pledge each other never-ending friends.h.i.+p and a.s.sistance.

I may need a.s.sistance myself in my life. Father thinks I shall.

I am trying to think of a secret for the society. I can think of hardly any thing that the rest of the world do not know.

Hope you are well.

Tommy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WHITE HORSE HILL.]

The spring and summer term--the session lasted through April, May, and June--opened under unusually promising circ.u.mstances. The prospect of the journey of the first cla.s.s seemed to stimulate the whole school: in fact, little else was talked of out of school-hours.

Master Lewis's customary address at the close of the first day of the term was waited with impatient interest. When the time came for it, there was almost a painful silence in the school-room.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STREET SCENE IN NORMANDY.]

"I shall speak first," said Master Lewis, "on the subject about which your conduct tells me you are most eager to hear. I have decided to make the journey abroad with the first cla.s.s _this_ year"--

There was suppressed applause by the cla.s.s.

"_Next_ year I hope to visit Switzerland and Italy, with all the members of the school who can go, if this proposed journey should prove a success. I say this, so that the second and third cla.s.ses may feel that they, too, have an interest in this general plan."

There was a burst of applause by the whole school.

[Ill.u.s.tration: COLONNADE OF THE LOUVRE.]