River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-09-19
Nymphs In the Tank.

Nymphs In the TANK.
A New York Herald reporter visited
the swimming school for ladies in this
city, which occupies the building fol
some years known as Theodore Thomas:
Central Park Garden. As the reporter
entered the main doorway he jumped
back as suddenly as though he had been
shot, and held his hat over his eyes while
he backed out OF the passage, blushin9
and muttering his apologies. The cause
for this unfeigned embarrassment wa;
the appearance in the passage of lady
in a state of perfect nudity. Her body
was bent slightly forward and her head
tufAed so that she could not see the re-
= have opened the wrong door and sur
prised one of the ladies on her way to
the BATH He heard no pattering OF
damp feet along the passage, so he con
cluded that his intrusion was undiscov-
cred, but fearing that some other and less
considerate reporter might come that
way he gave a manly cough of warning.
Not hearing the expected scream OF
fright he advanced few steps nearer and
gently poked the door with his umbrella.
Still no scream He advanced still
further, and, hearing no sound, stepped
boldly in the passage. There she stood
Just as he had seen her at first, her round,
white limbs glistening in the light re-
aected from the open door. He was. OF
course, Mortified, but felt somewhat rcas-
sured by the unembarrassed manner of
the lady. MADAM, I beg ten thou"
but the words were scarcely out of his
mouth before he discovered his mistake
What he had taken for beautiful bather
was nothing more nor less than q life
sized copy in plaster of Powers we'll
known statue, the Greek Slave, which
guards the entrance doors of the baths.
As he approached the building his mind
was necessarily filled with Diana and
Venuses he was about to behold, so that
when the life-lIke statue burst upon his
view he was for a moment deceived and
of course agItated.
Entering the Office the reporter was en-
tertained for a few moments by Mr.. Rem
sen Appleby, proprietor of the Garden,
ana then was ushered by Mr.. Appleby
into the bathing room. Some seventy
five ladies and children and three men
were in the room, all of whose eyes were
directed on the tank that stretched along
the north wall. The reporter noticed
that the rooms were decorated IN the Tur-
co Russian style, surrounded by smaller
rooms, each of which were screened from
the main room by bright crimson cur
tain. The tank in which the Misses Ben
nett and their picked pupils displayed
their aquatic accomplishments is ninety
feet long by twenty vide, and runs from
three to nine feet in depth. 1t Is con-
stantly supplied with fresh water, which
is turned into it through countless little
Jets. At tie time the Herald representa-
tive arrived there were some twenty-five
ladies dispOrting in the tank, the chief
of whom were the Misses Bennett, the
Misses Clark and Magonigle. These
wer., in fact, all expert swimmers, aud
they plunged and hoated and swan
around like very tadp0les, while they
looked like Nymphs Of ancient story,
save that those nymphs did not wear
Turkish trousers and sailor shirts. The
Misses Bennett carried the palm for dex
teritY and daring.
They jumped off of high places and
dived down so far out of sight that the
reporter thought for moment that the
Franklin search party would be obliged
10 look them up; but finally they came to
the top spulttering and spouting like
baby whales. Tfen they lay on their
backs and fioated laughing and talking
and enjoying themselves thoroughly. In
fact, every one in the tank laughed, the
water seemed to have such an eXhilarat-
ing effect Any one who uses MS bath
tub full of water will recall the sensation
that makes him gurgle IN his tub. So
impressed were the lockers on with the
advantages of being able to swim that q
class of eleven young ladies was formed
on the spot. you see, said Miss Kate
Bennett, "that am as much at home IN
the water as upon the land ldeed, more
so. for here hop, skip, and jump abort
while | simply walk quietly along Ga
land, land with that she slapped the water
with her right hand and then with her left.
disappeared, and in a moment came up
at the other end of the tank between two
blonde bathers, who gave little sbrieks of
surprise and darted out of her way.
One of the prettiest sights during the
exhibition was the swimmg of the three
vear-old little girl whom they called
Birdie but whom they might with
greater proprietv, have called "FishyH
OtlS CUllt& swirl Will liC DCst VI tAGilt.
Come, Birdie, show the ladies how you
can dive SAID Miss Bennett, and, without
coaxing. the little thing mounted the rail-
ing, clasped her tiny hands over her curly
head, and
In she plunges boldly
No matter h w cOldly
The leaden tank looked"
Down went the little head, up with the
little heels, then dip flap went the little
arms, aud away swan the brave child as
gracefully and as coollY as swan in the
Central Park lake. Miss Bennett caught
her in her wet arms and squeezed a gallon
or two Of water from her dripping clothes
as she pressed her to her heart ia kindly
admiration. Again and again the child
repeated the feat each time laughing and
shouting in the greatness of her enjoy
ment. Then the Misses Bennett gave a
few fancy touches, the twenty five
nymphs came dripping from the tank
and the days sport was done
Legend of Musket.