Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-08-15
COBB'S ISLAND.
HOW. TO GET THERE.
aBosr raR ISLAND.
IEditOrIal Correspondents Of TIE Ssar.l


creases each season serves to show that there
are substantial attractions here, compromising
the visitor for the disagreeables Of the way.
The pleasantest and most direct route for Wash
ingtonians would naturally be down the Po-
tomac. The trip down the river and bay by the
Lady Of the Lake is everything that could be
desired. With a commander so vigiIant and
obhging as Capt. Grey, and a caterer so compe-
tent as steward Boiling, who, for twenty years,
tckled the palates OF travellers between Boston
and St Johns, the pleasure-seeker headed for
Cobb's Island finds everything agreeable on
that portion of the trip; but, unfortunately, the
Lady of the Lake does not connect with the
steamer running from Norfolk to Cherrystone,
and it is requisite to lay over at Fortress Mon
roe or Norfolk until the next day, when the
steamer Banks takes the passengers TO Cherry
| stone, from whence they are transferred to the
Island by an ambulance ride of six miles across
| the peninsula OF Eastern Shore-or " Eastern
| Sho', and passage Of eight miles by tug boat
| to the Island.
TwESTY-FoUR HOURS IN NORFOLK.
To those in no particular hurry the delays and
dislocations Of the route may present no partic-
ular drawback; but to business men, tearing
themselves away from their work for q brief
mouthful OF sea-air, IL is terribly aggravating
to have to spend more time on the way than
would take them TO Chicago, or Omaha, even.
And after one has seen the everlasting old re-
ceiving-ship at Norfolk, and sampled the coffee
colored water OF Elizabeth river, and visited
the bOat-house Of the Undine's, IL is not caicu-
lated to make the spirit of mortal proud to CON
denim him TO kill time twenty-four hours longer
there, slapping the Dismal Swamp mosquitoes,
with the thermometer at IS in the shade
may add that Norfolk is worse off than Wash
ington in the way of amusements, and that Is
needless. The liveliest place saw was a corner
drug store, where a soda fountain was in plav
AT O'Clock p. m, should say every citizen of
Norfolk is in bed. 1t is possible to sleep well In
Norfolk. The whole atmosphere OF the place Is
conducive to repOse. Its hotels are good, though
the biggest sne-constructedon rather expansive
ideas, with two or three hundred rooms, for the
Norfolk that might, could, would, or should be.
rather than the Norfolk that is-has been closed
for the want Of support. But after the capital
dinner one gets at the National" has been luly
enjoyed, and the guest has gone over the Nor
folk Directory, which tells him (what he thinks
he has heard before) all about the superiority of
Norfolk as the great natural seaport of the
country, he begins TO yield 10 the sOporifc in
huences of the place and goes to bed.
The morning trip on the steamer Banks down
the harbor and Roads is pleasant and bracine.
IL is magnificent harbor; 1t ought to be great
shipping port, with radius Of railroads leading
in all directions. Will it? If Norfolk had a
touch of the business tact that enables cities
elsewhere with not hundredth part of its natu-
raj advantages TO build themselves up, there
might be hope. The West is not particularly
enamoured with the East, but it don't let preju
dice stand in the. way of business. Chicago, far
away to the north OF the great natural route of
western business, has built herself up with
eastern money and eastern brains. She went 10
Boston for the money 10 build the network OF
railroads that makes the whole country tributary
TO her. But this Is wrinkle vet to grow on
Norfolk's horn. II she would sweep the multi
tudinous pictures of Mosby, Stonewall jackson
and Lee from her shop windows brand kukluX-
I'm as 1t deserves; encourage the influx OF
northern capital and enterprise, (instead of
Stumbling both, as is the case nOw,) and reso-
lutely shake off all this morbid brooding over
me dead past, her growth and prosperity would
be exceeded only by her expanding ambition.
cHRRRYsToNE AND THE eastern SHOP
CherrystOne on the Eastern Sho' of Virginia,
consists of long pier extendingout into the shat
low water Of the bay, at the shore end of which
is white building of multifarious uses-grocery
and variety store, post Office, county treasurer's
Ctdce, &c, while portion Of the busy counter
curtained off affords opportunity for customers
20 imbibe the semi-OccaSonal cocktail or
whiskey straight, in privacy, which, however
Is nominal rather than real since the heads ofthe
thirsty ones are visible above the curtain and
their feet below.
Cherrystone, though of one building, is lively
place, especially on steamboat DAYS when an
perently most of the population of Northumber-
land and Accomac counties assemble here TO
sell watermelons, and see who is on the boat.
ACROSS THE PENINSULA.
AS the Banks struck the pier at Cherrystone
broad-shouldered colored individual, bearing
upon his cap the welcome legend "Cobb's
Island" stepped on board and pioneered the
way up the long pier 10 "the hacks" as he
called them, TO the Island. These proved to be
two or three wretched old ambulances that had
apparently been in every battle Of the war, and
u-hi faA
fitted for the vehicles. "Boss Williams the
proprietor of this interesting line of convey
ances, came forward, when we were seated, 90
collect our fare across the neck-Si apiece, and
extra Tor baggage. Then We set out on rather a
pleasant ride through groves Of fragrant pines
OF nelds OF uee-like corn, with occasional
glimpses of the sea, and a reminder OF the same
IN the cool, bracing puts of air. But the pace
was slow, and We were two hours behind time
land dinner,) in consequence of the Banks, the
obhgingest and take-it-easiest of steamers, hay
ing paused that length of time % accom-
MEDIATE schoOner-l0ad of pic-nic-ers out
OF a creek above Fortress Monroe We
appealed to our driver if under the circum-
stances he could not increase our speed over the
dead fat to a fast walk, but he thought Boss
Williams would not like il. Boss Williams in
a rearwagon had his eagle eve on our PROCESSION.
70 see that his ancient teams came TO no GRIEF
through undue speedy So we went on al the
ate OF wel-regnlated funeral procession.
Fast people, these Eastern Sho' chaps! Then
there came along the road towards us colOred
boy seated in a wagon drawn by a single steer.
harnessed up horse-wise in the shafts He drew
Hp in a corner of the worm fence % allow us 10
pass, and our driver also drew up-perhaps 20
rest his horses. Halo, Dave" said he, sswhar
We goin' in such hurry" "Goin' for the doc
tor, y responded Dave; % Missus took very bad"
Whereupon cur driver settled himself down for
good long talk with Dave about all the partic-
nlars OF the case, ending with an inquiry what
his boss was giving for sweet potatoes. Then we
started again, and Dave, nothing 10th, was in
tercepted at various fence corners by the other
drivers, and the parties OF each part settled
themselves comfortably TO give and get All the
particulars OF the sudden illness Of uissus and
the way she was tuck. II Is TO be hoped that
the doctor reached the afflicted lady before all
was over. .f.. -
STILL HEADING FOR coRB's.
About this time We, like the nightingale, men
toned in song, "began to feel, as well we might,
the keen demands Of appetite" and concluded
that something must be done. Which 1t was.
Two Of us, under pretence OF seeking fresh air,
took seat by the driver, ON each hand. Then
engaging his attention now 10 the right and now
to the left with solicitous inquiries about this
and that patch OF craps" we, in turn rava
surreptitious kicks of such exceeding ye6em
ence 70 the astonished horses that thew star
ted OF, and we were presently thunderine owe,
the level plains Of Eastern Sho, at pace vers;na
upon a trot; and we made the last foar milesS.s
ia mw.<ID -