New-York tribune., 1873-07-31
LONG BRANCH.
A CONGRESSMAN IN THE SURF.


lFRoM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONG BRANCH, July 29-There be those who
affect 10 believe that Congressman from the South and
West represent the class known among Americans as
the great unwashod. Whether this true OF the South
cannot answer; but II the saying has reference to
the personal cleanliness of 0Ongressmen FROM the West
can dsprove #, for have lately seen two Western
statesmen in tho surf. Elisha Posram Dickens M. c..
tall, lean dark onghsired tobaceochewng child
OF nature whose bright homo in the setting
sun, and although both OF those referred to
came from the country whose shadows turn
toward the East neither like the ideal whom the
great novelist has made famous. There was one who
particular reference here, whose name, how
over may mention He is as hearty, goodnatured,
genial, and generous a ever represented con-
stituency OF sturdy lumbermen and farmcrs-s man OF
very large wealth. The father OF two very handsome and
refned daughters the husband Of brilliant wife, and
the OF pair OF legs that 20 stubOng around sur
mounted by that would tip the scales al 800 This
gentleman, with his sprighty wife and pretty daush-
ters came down to Long Branch enjoy its delicious
air tie peaceful yet glorious yiew It's bathing,
its drives and its society, and between you and me,
reader, to spend portion Of the salary steal.
Our friend had been in Congress for eight or ten years
had served ais district faithfully that he had been
turned again and again. and all this time he had been
coming money for himself by thousands in perfectly
legitimate way, speculatug in real estate and
ing the local market on lumber. While he had been
filing his pockets with wealth, his wastcoat yearly
grew smaller until extensions in the back 10 longer
available. The waisband TO his pantaoons also grew
apace, and long his underclohes and his linen
had to be made after actual measurement AT the pres
ent writing his form in proportion, minus his legs and
head might be lIened to a baseball. lie has a we'll
formed head bald a fish, except the silken white
fringe that depends from the half circle running
back from car to He smokes good cigars
and for a steady going man as he is he spends
his money freely and is fond of good living From all this
may be that he is what the boys call "a very
nice old chap" L. is always best to have name for
character in anecdotc, because it makes the recital
more real. Therefore, account Of his largo lumber
connections, his ownership of saw-mills, &C. shall
call my member of Congress Sawyer. Well Sawyer
came to the Branch for the first time this Summer He
finished really good dinner bit of the end Of cigar
and cloud of fragrant smoke followed him as lie saun-
tered TRANQUILITY the piazza He dd not appear
eager 10 view the sea-no not he; might people not
believe that with the he seemed old acquaint
ance, "iree 10 jest at Will with ali her glorious
majestyi'
He first took furtiye glances, but finally faced it
boldly and feasted his simple Of grandeur until
the shadows of early evening began gather and his
cigar burned his lips He had scores Of fulrigged
yachts and schooner with their white wings spread to
catch the wind with steamboats, and other craft beyond
all huGZDg the shore for the land breezo
these he had Goiu: out to following each other
closely that they made gallant picture in the eyes
OF the wondering raft builder Of the West Then he
went TO the bluff threw the lappes of his coat back
stuck his thumbs in the armhoes Of his waStcoat aud
with a bengnant face aud a ldndng eye, lie watched
the high and angry surf, oamcd and thundcred
the IL full tide ana evidently far out 10 sea-
there had pretty stiff blow, for the breakers
were unusually higb and all along the shore the noise
the surf combined to inspire the beholdcr with
and admiration. when Il grew too ark distinctly
my Congressman crossed the lawn TO the hotel and after
watching the dancers IN the p1rlOr for moment,
cOunered friend with whom he discussed politics |
until or 10 O'Clock when he gaped and stumbled his
way to bed, perhaps helping his drOwsiness little
by a whisky toidy; but OF this d. not know.
The early birds Of the hotel who rise Lot to catch tho
tabled worm, but catch the early train to The city
saw Sawyer again the bluff looking at the and
wondering those big things out therca lot Of EN-
that 60 tUmbing in the wafer like wheel; big |
black things with something like fn on their backs"
He also watched tie 15hhavks that Skinned through
tho air-sang over the water and catching The first
lucky herring that approached the surface Of tho water
my Sawyer saw the hawk in quest Of food for
those dependent upon her, and then long train OF
tender reflections stole him, be Thought OF tGe
little birds in the and Of his children and his
rranlchldren Shortly after the New York papers
came-price 10 cents each much as is charged for
them in San Francisco New0rieans, or London, and
here we are an hour and hall from the cty-and my
craps" and about politics, until nearly nOOn when
be went down to tde beach with his sprighily
wife and attractive daughters The battling was superb
The surf at its best and level shelf extended
almost the buoy which marked the end OF inc he
ropes the water not being than four five feet
deep hundred bathers spJrted in the surf The fat
woman with the chubby face and full form, showed to
good advantage beside the pi0ched bue.nosed woman
of thin face fragile Iorm but there were all classes
old and young There distinction OF rainent. as
there was at the dinner table AM in the parlor Here
at least there is equality, which Il found not I'D
churches not IN schools not in cars nor IN hotels nor
on the street; for ladies DO not take their diamonds
bathing nor their silks nor their paints, laces
the hair belonging to other woman dead or alive
The country girl, with ibut single silk dress in her
wardrobe and not diamond to hor name, looks hand
somer here where a is real, than her city cousin ten
times over And here are old and old women. who
have to take the surf homeopathic doses, and here
are young children Not one but is happy.
This Is a sight that plcases my Congressman In
mensely He mad never seen ladies and gentleman
6 boder as he ought to have done when the
sent the drapery cngng close 20 free, round graceful
when she somewhat impatenty tore II from the out
lines OF her form. Unlucky man lie ana not Know now
soOu the tables would be turned against him. 30 ne en-
ioyed the fun exceedingly He saw the farhalred MISS
nesoh b t1 Rc win Tonpd her atendant and in an
unOokedor moment, douse his head beneath the waves
and tne1 odIn hi apa cSmpapions They could
NOT resist tho temptation, and so in half
an hour dressed in bathing costume, hired
Of sam Holmes, they presented themselves 20 Ben.
Woolley busng as they listening 10 their first
proposal OF marriage They bad charming tme Dnt
Of course swallowed more water than was good for
them. When they came out, my Lawyer OF course me
mad been doing that for twenty years or tnOre tOld
them they had done WELL but yet they ought TO have
done mis- or that and ought not TO have done something
else He assumed, all heads OF families 40 DeeYc,
whether male female 70 know mere ABOUT every
han ony other member Of the family and so OF course
he knew all about bathing, although ne had n9t' ne
said been in swimming for ten or fifteen years Al
ter Inc bath the family went TO lunch as they Ou5hI
and the remainder OF the day was passed as usual 49,