The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-03
NYMPHS Of THE WAVES.
Il sunday, ! ssssinamkns match Be-
tween Young Ladies.

u sunday Svvimmfng Match Be- ;
tween Young Ladies.
from the New York Sun, Aug. "a
The horse cars of the Fort Hamilton
line were crowded yesterday afternoon.
Women sat upon the seats and stalwart
men chung to the platforms. There was
great jollity among the crowds who
thronged the cars, and many comments
made upon the manly art of swimming,
especially as applied to women. The
reason of this unusual rush to Fort
Hamilton is found in the following adj
vertisement, which appeared in the Sun
on Friday last:
Ladies' Swimming Match
at Fort Hamilton,
| Saturday and Sunday, Aug. % and %,
will take place at 2P. NJ.
The scene of the swimming match IS
about quarter Of mile from the fort,
and the sandy walk along the shelving
beach was thronged from noon until 3
o'clock. At the point where the SWIM
ming match was contested, Miss Katie
Bennett. teacher of swimming at the
Eleventh street bath, has erected COM
Portable and commodious bathing
houses. The beach here is hard, and
descends gradually into the bay. The
exhilirating surf alone is wanted to
render the place as fashionable . resort
as Long Branch or Newport. Forts
Wadsworth and Hamilton are in full
view, and far away to the south are
Sandy Hook and the broad Atlantic.
1 r. ~ III RIB
nett appeared. At this time ten of her
pupils, all New York girls, had arrived,
and were anxiously awaiting her COM
ing. The beach was lined with spec
tators. Miss Bennett had told her pu-
pills that if the day was Threatening
they need not come. She had expected
twenty -four swimmers, but, acting upon
her warning, many failed to respond.
The ten who did appear, were remarka-
BILE, no less for beauty, than for the
grace which characterized their move
ments. Pointing them out to the re-
porter, Miss Bennett said: s'You can
see the value of the knowledge Of swim
ming to the ladies. The grace which
they acquire in the water clings to them
on the land. Depend upon it, the best
swimmers always prove the best walk
ers and best dancers"
BY this time the ten water witches
had arrayed themselves in proper cos
tune, and were gamboling in the waves.
They foatcd and they swan; they div
ed and they moved rapidly upon their
backs. Their long hair streamed back
floating on the water like the plumes Of
an albatross. They laughed joyously
] and ducked each other with screams OF
! merriment. They were amphibious.
l The water was cold, but this did not
/ seem to interfere with their fun. They
5 swan with easy, graceful motion. Oc-
c casionally one would indulge in a few
; strokes Of the dog paddle; but only
e for moment of rest. The exercises of
e the ladies were rapturously applauded
d by the spectators.
Miss Bennett then appeared upon the
d beach and gave her instructions. About
e 500 yards distant the stake.boat was
S anchored, and the first match was for
# that distance. The prize was gold
d locket. 1t was contested for by seven
# of the fair swimrners-Misses Annie and
Adeline Mason, Bella and Julia Kahn.
n Katie and Annie Barclay, and Lena
: Helwig. The start was ordered, and
d the girls pushed rapidly forward. Two
l. stAlwart men and five swimmers passed
J, over the course with them; and, to Sc
}, cure still further protection. me1
!, were scattered about ut different
e points Of the course. For about
n 20 yards the ladies kept nearly in
d straight line. Then Annie Mason
y gained slightly over her companions
j. and this gain was soon made good by
,e her sister Adeline. The two swan to
+, gether for some distance, but Annie
J. who is the youngest and the smallest
5 at'length forged ahead, and won tn
b victory by about six yards, in 2 min
D. utes and 20 seconds. She came swim
to ming back with small American fal
i, fastened in her hair. the badge Of vic
I'd tory.
A. 4 match of 300 yards was tt en- swan
u by Katie Barclay and Adeline Mason
he This was for pair Of gold earrings
Sc and was won by Miss Mason in / min
n ute and IL seconds. This was the las
d. contest, and the dripping maidens fie
Mt from the water to resume their silk
" and satins.
III The last match OF the season is to b
On contested by Miss BENEFITS pupil
be next Sunday afternoon for gold watc
'ir and chain. It is expected that at leas
i'd twenty-four ladies will participate
as this contest.
ch
m "A Minnesotian grinds up grasshoI