The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-08-10
Bathing nj Long Branch.

Ii has frequently been noticed that
Long Branch, OF all American water
ing places, was free from that vulgar
ostentation and loud display which have
deprived Newport Of much of the pop
ularity which it formerly enjoyed.
Heretofore all classes of respectable
people who came here were well treat
ed without regard to size oftheir pocket
books or the length of their rolls.
Happily this good American feeling
ofjudging men and woman for them
selves has taken such deep root in Long
Branch that all the attempts which have
been made 10 form class distinctions
have signally failed. AT the same
time all efforts at vulgar and osIcnla-
tious display have been speedily
frowned down. But, of course there
is no rule without an exception. and
Just now the exception is TO be found
in the person of young lady from the
neighborhood of Washington, who,
with no regard for public opinion or
good taste, makes ridiculous cxhibi-
ton of herself upon all possible occa-
sions. During the bathing hour she is
particularly conspicuous, and the man
ncr in which she makes her appearance
is worthy of short description.
Ten or fifteen minutes before tho tide
is at the flood n man servant appears
upon the beach bearing high basket
work structure, having small glass
windows on each side and looking.
everything considered, for all the world
like sentrybox. Following comes q
pretty little maid, dressed smartly in q
costume ofred and blue flannel, and car
rying small bundle. With this she
enters large clearinghouse, which is
marked "Private" in large black letters
In moment she reappears, and hasten
ing TO the basket-work scntry-box, seats
herself in it. By this time the idlers
on the beach have become interested
even excited, by these mysterious per
formances, and quite crowd collec,
about the sentry-boX. The little maid
holds her ground manfully. says moth
ing, and looks abstractedly ont upof
the ocean. When the interest Is at it,
height and the crowd the largest, nc
second of the drama commences. A
lady, perhaps twenty-five years of age
comes down the bluff and enters tn,
large bathing-housc. She is dressed
elaborately in some soft white stuff
which clings to and displays her shape
ly form to full advantage. She is
beautiful woman and not a timid one
The stare of the crowd does not appea
| to annoy her. She is accompanied h.
a second maid wearing. in addition {,
the flannel suit of red and blue in whicl
the first one appeared, dainty Frcncl
cap of white cambric and having in lie
hand n beautiful worked toilet case
She follows the lady into the bathing
house, the door is closed, and the crowt
waits patiently for the next scene
Soon the lady appears again. This tim
she is clad in tightly fitting bathin,
snit of navy blue silk gauze; aroun,
her neck string ofwhat seemed to b
real pearls; slippers protect her dclicat
feet from the hard sand on the beach
and she walks calmly down to the sentr
box. AS she docs so, il is again notice,
that the crowd has no tcrrors for hei
As she appears, the little maid gives III
the sentry box and respectfully stand
aside, allowing her mistress TO enter
When she is seated therein numbe
of fashionably-attircd young men wit
weak side whiskers and eye glasse
hurry up 10 pay their respects. For
few moments they are graciously rC
ceived by the lady; then waving ther
aside, she dashes into the surf with a
much calm abandon as she faced tha
staring crowd. While she is in the ws
ter the little maid occupies the scntr
box, but the moment she leaves il bot
of the well trained serving women hur
ry forward to receive her. With ther
she returns to the bathing house. RcaI
pearing shortly afterwards, she agai
: takes her place in the sentry box. Her
she remains for fifteen or twenty mil
/ utes, surrounded by ten or fifteen &C
mirers, and then, leaving the beacl
the sentry box is removed, and tn
, little drama is ended. II may be nee
essary to state that the chief pcrforme
in 1t is not an actress. She moves |
/ what some people would call "the be-
society" 1t may also be necessary
state that the above description is tru
J in every particular.