Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-07

HOW I WENT FROM THE fiO. 900.

When Harry Page said that Slocum-super-
Mare was dreary, he told the plain unyarnished
truth. In my time L have visited the Thame
Iunnei, the indian Museum, ay and even the
National Portrait Gallery, but of all the duh
uninterestmg spots il has been nv fate to fire.
quent, Siocum, with its beach OF midland alb
surd sea, its one policeman, and its two houses,
was the dullest and least interesting We
reachedit by broken down coach, drawn by
one horse lately, 4 imagine, promoted from the
bathing machine service), although a line OF
railway had been Constructed some years before.
connecting IL with far-distant terminus. Why
and wherefore this same line of railroad had
been constructed, know not. The station al
never been opened, and was falling into decay,
the metals were covered with brambles and the
very signal-pOsts were out OF repair.
% lou see, old man," said Harry, as we drove
up to one of the two houses, by courtesy styled
ian inn" (the other house had once, so the
closed shutters told us. belonged to a tallow-
chandler retiring from business, .'you see, old
man, it's just the place for Railway al
ready made, and only waiting to be opened,
real beach, and real sea-"
The ''real sea- was some distance OFF. found
subsequently that the briny deep had contracted
bad habit of leaving SlOcum and going miles
away Tor hours together. Thus it came that at
eight O'Clock in the morning Slocum was a wa
tering-place, but at noon it became lowing to
the oceans vagaries) small inland town, sur
rounded by mud.
NOW You see, old fellow" continued Harry.
"nothing will be easier than to build a hotel
garden attached--then We can run up In some
thing less than no time, a Marine Parade, and a
Seaview Terrace-then we can build a pier four
miles loDg-then We can construct q theatre ZEN
gage Schneider, SOthern, and the company OF
the Coincide Francase) them"
.St p, old fellow" interrupted, "you know
this win cost"
"Don't talk OF cost, - exclaimed Harry, impa-
tiently, 'think OF the immense return. Why,
Schneider would draw crowded houses Tor
months"
U-an n
sharpness; Slocum wants houses badly
Harry, merrily.
So had my joke, roared at my own waggery,
and returned IN the evening to London.
The next morning was introduced to q pro-
ftssional accountant, q Mr.. Smith, who rented
some fine offices in the neighborhood of the
oWing sesrd and shtV eres SAss
hate TO meet the eyes of other people, The
ONCE OF Mr.. Smith contained number of the
deed boxes, inscribed with the names Of various
,ompa mics, all more or less in the throes OF dis
solution. Here was "limited" association in
liqui6a ion, here another In chancery, here .
third winding up ut the order Of an exasperated
.harehold.r. In fact, the place seemed full Of
the blight Of bankruptcy and despair Mr.
Smith was eating sandwich, and drinking Q
ass OF Sherry, whom We entered his Office. His
fece tell something like fifty degrees when he
"Canv do anything for You today, Mr.. PAGE |,
he cried, without the least show Of cordiahty
very busy, very busy indeed" :
"Let me introduce 30 you my friend, Mr.
Smirks Gerald, !" said Harry, coofly; a'he Is thf
godson and heir Of the late Mr.. Smirks, Of Gun
street, city,"
In moment the face of Mr.. Smith changed
He shook both Of us warmly by the hand, sem
out for fresh wine-glassee, and begged, nay Inn
plored us, 10 be seated.
=. And now what can I do for your" he asked
after having pledged us In rather indifferen
sherry; " am quito at your service, my desl
sirrquite."
Harry Page commenced lecture upon Slo
cum CONSIDERED as watering-place He en-
larged upon It's beauties, its advantages, ID
profits. his enthusiasm knew no bounds. Mr.
Smith himself and were TO make at once sew
| eral "pots OF money. We were to ride about Il
carriages and eight, dine ten times day, 20 d
| two operas at night. We were 10 be drea ifulh
horribly, swfully rich, and Slocum-super an
was the philosophers Stone that was 10 chan :.
everything we had into gold. Smith aliowes
sheet of foolscap observed:
"Ithink the idea excellent. But now let a
talk business. First, you win want o1ces-yoI