Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-09-07
A TRIP TO CoBB's IsLAND-THERE Or
THEREABOUT.

Many years ago the navigators along the
white -bleached coast OF Eastern Virginia were
surprised one September morning following
upon calm, smoky September day, such as
precedee the earthquake season i'm California,
by the appearance of a rakish-looking island of
the county Of Northampton, where no island
should belong and low, and with An outer
guard Of dangerous reef. That the islam was
thrown up by some great convulsion OF nature,
and not formed by tidal deposits of sand, would
appear from the fact that the long stretch OF
reef on the seaward side OF the island never
shows sand deposit, and that the water imme-
dlately beyond reaches the great depth of forty
fathoms.
MORE ABOUT COBB's ISLAND.
This long, low, remarkable island, shot up
nom depth OF forty fathoms by some internal
disturbance In natures economy, was soon
found to have some remarkable accompani-
ments. The fnny tribe sought its waters in
countless shoals; the birds of the air hankered
after 1t, svarmed about it, and dropped their
eggs on its white sands without heed, so that
they got them landed on Cobb's Island. Only
1t was not known then as Cobb's Island, but in
the process of time the Cobb's bought livery
cheaply the legend goes-carried soil from the
mainland to start some vegetation on its glisten-
ing sand, and then as the fame of Cobb's Island
expanded, and visitors increased, they extended
their accommodations, until now it threatens to
become fashionable place and to draw its
summer quota Of Saratoga trunks and the CAV
birds Of fashion. 1t wants nothing now but a
distingae name. COBB is certainly common
place. Probably it will be known hereafter as
Cobbe's Island, or the Island de Kaube.
THE LADY OF THE LAKE Gogs FOR CoBB's OR
COBBE's ISLAND.
The favorite steamer Lady of the Lake, which,
under the charge Of young Admiral Austin p.
Brown-a worthy chip OF the old block-has
done such excellent service this season in show
ing the variety and extent Of the resources for
health and pleasure to be found within easy
reach of Washington, set out on Friday evening
for pleasure trip through the network OF
waters in and tributary to Chesapeake Bay,
proposing to extend the journey outside the
capes to CObbs Island.
WHO WENT ON THE EXCURSION To CoBB's
1sLAND-THKRE OK THKREABoUr.
The boat left the Washington wharf at 2k p.
m; as usual setting the mud in commotion in
starting in way to show the unsatisfactory and
failing condition of our river channel. The
moment we were well of we shot out Of the
close sultry atmosphere that seemed to weigh
down the spirits Of all, and the boat speeding on
created a breeze of her own, bracing and en-
livening that brought every body up TO concert
pitch, ana in a mood to enjoy and help others to
ENJOY. 1ak!Dg general average of our human
cargo, il was soon settled that we had a vastly
pleasant party, the few GROWERS and sore
heads inevitable, being in such minority as to
AFFORD only that sort of amusement to the mass
that the gOuty uncle or crusty servant does in
play. A trip Of this kind, with its close associa-
tiohs and throwing OFT of forms, develops all
sorts OF unsuspected qualities, gifts, virtues and
have known-and vet not known, for years
Before reaching Alexandria our party developed
enough latent heat OF this unsuspected sort
enough life, music, jingle and buoyarcy to have
set up falr opera company, first class bur
lesGue and theatrical ditto, church choir, and
hall a dozen minstrel tToupes.
BALD-HRADED BOoNs.
For one thing we were we'll of for bald-head-
ed men. Did any body ever know a pleasure ex-
curson to 20 of tiatly when there were plenty
of bald headed men about? They are the salt
OF the earth. Like Falstaff they are not only
witty themselves but the cause of wit in Others
They put on no fine airs, no Miss Nancyism
They 60 in for good solid square enjoyment.
Whenever you hear a roar Of honest solid laugh
ter that shakes the whole boat, you may be sure
tha, a bald-headed man is at the bottom OF it.
He has either said good thing or good thing
has been said about him.
We had all the various grades of bald men,
from the initiate or chrysalis, with a spot the
size tof a Mexican dollar, who somewhat
1t, to the glorious eftulgent old bald.head,
whose pOlishe scOnce shines like billiard ball,
fIiDged and outlined may be low down on the
skull by Just enough capillary substance to in
d cate that hair is properly subordinate to the
brain. All honor to the bald heads! We look
forward without dismay to the remote future
when We shall be one Of them. And then bald
headed men are apt to have such pretty daugh-
ters. One Of our party only mediunly bald,
and therefore not in his prime, rejoyces Twill
the printer please set up that word as written)
in nine children, mainly daughters, and the
specimen he mad along was as charming as pos
sible, though the handsome mother will not
allow that she surpasses the rest of the brood.
THE BOON OF LOVELY WOMAN.
But our party was rather famous for its pleas
ing women. Not few of our substantial citi-
zens, with their wives and daughters, noted for
their beauty and mplishments, were OF the
circle. There was the charming little wife of
one of our promising young journalsts-pretty,
witty, and with a voice like a lark-just the sort
of wife to brighten up the life of hard-work-
ing newspaper man. There was a brilliant
woman, large-hearted, much enduring wife,
Of whom the world has heard something through
her hard domestic fortunes, and who, as usually
is the case, has had to bear the brunt OF criti-
cism-an earnest, resOlute woman, who, driven
10 depend upon herself, has settled down to
close, practical business, and has shown that a
woman can not only "keep hotel" but keep
it we'll.
There was pretty clnging young bride who,
at ten minute intervals, was quite sure the boat
WAS going uOWn anu was reIpctu8iiy mahlug
confding little clutches at the marital frame for
projections; and there was the sturdy good look
ing groom who blushed little, but evidently
liked il.
MEM, for counting couples and newly mar
ried couples. There never was such trip for
the cultivation Of the oak and ivy relationship
as the TRIP to CObb's Island-there or there
about. Especially when outside the Capes IT,
pitching Of the boat requires that the male arm
should clasp the female waist with emphasis,
and without more interInission than is requisite
GoGH G%ised dreco eompsnx there must be
cestarily some Objectionable parties: There
were citizens, for instance, Of the white sepul-
chral persuasion, who have fair reputation at
home, but who here betrayed devilish DISPOSE
tion to make bad Puns. Names could be named
but for their families.
HEADING FOR THE CAPRs.
The trip went on with song, dance, promo
made, Improvisation, and interludes much
availed of to enjoy the excellent meals on board
the Lady Of the Lake, while Piney Point and
Old Point were touched at and passed, and Nor
folk reached, on Saturday morning. Then after
brief pause the Lady turned on her heel and
struck out eaucily eeaward in the face OF .