The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-30

IN which they plv their avocation IN the summer
srsson In winter they have nothing 10 do. aud gladly
accept the moderate compensation paid by tho govern
meni for their services Mora than keeper,s wife.
as she se~sin her comfortable sitting stormy
ni2ats. signs Tor her lege and wonders nov he can
bear to spend away from her side and exile
upon The narrow strip OF sand between bay and
mhich constitutes THE beach" Sotwithstanding
tho nardships. which attend watch OF four
hours pstroliing a dangerous beach at night. per-
chance during suow storm when blun aud Inlet aud
SURF ana treachrrous hoes all look alike IN their
driitin- neecy covering. aui with the Thermometer
b<io~ zero, there 10 something attractive IN the
lie. How tbs men spend the hours when not on
duty 10 lair weather may BE- Inferred from tho trophies
about the houses In some Of these every man has
gun. sundry PAIRS OF black ducks hanging from
pegs OUTSIDE bear witness. A largo codnsn cleaned
and na led up to dry shows tnat the summer avoce-
ton Is not entirely abandoned YETI lot OF eel spears
upon the sand and heap Of oysters buried In moist
seaweed show that the dcaizens ot the neignboring
bay are made TO pay tribute.
AN INTERMITTENT
short distance from the Bridgehampton station Ia
sheet Of water Snown as Mecox Bay. ABOUT thirty-
hive years ago was famous oyster ground, and tho
bvalves found there were held IN high esteem New
York, occupying the position now neli by "Saddle
Bocks" Shortly alter the period mentioned, how
the patent OYSTER Tor reasons kBowo only TO
himself disappeared from his customary waters and
was seen no more for about thirty years. A short
ago II discovered mat he mud his
old paunts In some mysterious manner. aud now tne
residents OF the adjonng country hava upon their
tables daily the most delicious oysters None have
lar been transported Tor SALE and they are not
yet plentiful enough 10 encourage any one TO make
business oil gathering the Out they are said 10 be
increasing rapidly.
OF course when Winter lays his Icy hand upon the
shore all Is cnangcd. phs bay 10 frozen over the
ducks depart ana The surt runs too nsh 10 admit oi
nshing hen the men have to rely exclusively upon
the provisions winch they lay III a. the beginning of
the season IN generous quantity, consisting oil salt
beef and pork, biscuit potatoes, tea ana coffee
The men suffer much ior want OF good water for
cooking and drinking. At most OF the stations they
nave 10 rely upon little ponds winch form IN the
houws oil the sand along tna beach, aud out oil these
they up the water IN buckets Sometimes Il has .
very strong, salty taste; NJ others smacks
vegetable matter from the rushes aud grasses, aud
IN not lew ,ustanccs has smell winch
would seriously affect the stomach oil o.ncd
TO drinking only fresh Croon. 10 oUtan this dcieot-
able fluid tho men at some stations are Obliged 10
walk long distances IN Indictment weather AT several
points the have formed wells BY sinking bar
rels in tho sand, one upon me other, until tho
required depth Is reached. sometimes water Is
foot or Two beneath tno surface, but Ii Lost
IL Is necessary 10 uts to tho depth OF Two three bar
rcls often when water is re 4cned IN this way it
up almost putrid and lncre Is notuiug Tor II
but 10 DIS IN one spot after another until fluid thai
Is not absolutely poiso~ous IS obtained. Notwith.
standing TINS incentive 10 depart from "totai abst
nenco principles II IL asserted, and apparently xih
truth thut the use 81 sprituoas liquors Is almost un
known among the men, VINO rely upon coli Tor q
stimulant when needed In cold weather. es-
pcciaily when there Is strong winl, they need a
houses, which built about tweniy uvo years ago
before the organization oi tue service, are SO
loosely constructed that tho wad whistles through
the chinks with sound similar to that II makes IN the
HOUSES, SEw AND OLD.
The careless manner which they are built may be
inferred from the TACT that Of them the JOINT
In the floors are ''brokeD between the beams. fnat
h tue oi board Is allowed to butt against the
snd OF another, where there are no beams tor them
TO rest upon AT the Amagansett station ths men
have TO sleep In mere dog hoio without ventilation,
utterly unfit Tor Gny well behaved brute even Tho
| crows ut Bird 1ohampon and southampton have Just
moved into new buildings OF the improved STYLE and
the huts they have abandoned VIII be sold for kin
| ding wood or something OF that sort The BRIDGE
hampton house stands near tho spot wnero the iatcd
| Circissian went 10 pieces last winter and from
| the window. OF The station wnen tho tide Is low
lew OF her 5ackeued timbers stiil be soon above
the sands. Cedar posts support The two new houses
tue reach oil the which sometimes sweeps
under them, AMI the roofs covered With several
thick OF cedar shingles. roomy attic above
the main floor Affords ample sleeping accommodations,
and three thick OF boards, with iet between,
keep out the stormy blasts pretty erecullly plat
form, with railing, the Top OF the building, makes
good observatory, and affords Working room for set
ting signals upon the stan. which towers from the
peak The general appearance Of the new houses u
attractive and Is intended to graduy erect them "a
suporsedc all the existing huts as funds can
be obtained from Congress tor the purpose.