Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-08-01
CoNEY ISLAND NOVELTIES.
Adventures OF n Marquis and of Tai
mage-Dcvicess for Waking Money.


inc and comical nobleman. Not only is
he grotesque, but he is so much of the
time in sight of multitude that his
amusing figure has become publicly ia
miliar The popular belief is that his
shoulders are padded and his waist
corseted; but see no reason for doubt
ing that nature has given to him the
shape that is attributed TO artifce, con-
sidering the mental peculiarities which
she has bestowed upon him. He has a
good enough brain, however, to have ac-
auired an excellent education, TO have
held influential membership in foreign
scientific societies, and to have written
poems and other things far from ridicul-
Gus in quality. Moreover he is marks
man able to hold his own among profess
sional riflemen. But he wears exaggerated
clothes, his manners are absurdly dandI-
fed and he is surrounded by amiable
mirth wherever he takes his droll way.
When | say that he commanded atten-
ton amidst the curiosities Of
crowded afternoon on Coney Island,
! am making an extreme claim for
pre-eminence in his' behalf. That
stretch of seashore is like Donnybrook
fair for hustle, but the devices for
catching the pennies of the people
are beyond anything ever seen on an Irish
green. In one hour, / saw more than
could be described in ten columns.
There were numerous dime museums In
which the exhibits were ludicrously
fraudulent and the swindling games au-
dacious; and one Of these had young
elephant tied to stake in front of the
tent, which was lettered hugely: Great
Menagerie' Those who entered found a
trifing collection of not remarkable OBJ
iects. animate and inanimate, but no
beasts or birds.
"Where's the menageric ~ | asked.
"Outside, was the reply. "The ele
plants the menagerie. How much dye
want for ten cents.n
There were several circular railways,
with very steep grades, SO that the pas
sengers experienced the ups and downs
of travel over the Rocky mountains con-
densed into few rods. One of these
was in the form of m elongated ellipse,
reaching from the main street down to
the surf.
"Only five cents for ride to the
beach, " cried the solicitor
'Let us try it, /" said the Rev. DR.. Tai
mage to his wife, who is as handsome as
he isn't.
elbow would we look ~ replied the
lady, who plainly lacked her husbands
fearlessness of cutting funny figure.
"Never mind that, he insisted; "come,
all aboard"
The clergyman seemed to enjoy his
undulous ride to the beach; but on get
ting there he was surprised by demand
for five cents apiece more.
''But we've paid our fare, " he said.
"You paid for one way" retorted the
conductor, land it's the same price
back"
Righteous wrath famed in Talmages
face and he declared that he wouldn't be
swindIed. The alternative was to walk
back-not a formidable undertaking as
to mere distence, but made exasperatlng
by descent of ricketty ladder a heavy
wading through deep sand and a roast
under June sun.
s'Rather than submit to cxtortion,
said he, as he wiped the perspiration
from his brow, I'D foot it the whole
length of the island.
Then he conducted his party to booth
that looked decorous at the moment o.
his entry; but they were no more than
seated when a girl with more voice than
skirt, and more effrontery than either.
dashed cut on n platform to sing comic
song. simultaneously, waiter responded
to the minister's order for lemonade:
eve haint got nothin but beer.
Brother Talmage retired at once.
Many of the refreshment booths had
performers stationed on platforms along
side the public walk, and stalwart atten
dants to insist that whoever stopped to
listen should take seats and order drinks.
Nay, the formality of getting orders was
not regarded in all cases, but beer was
menacingly served and pay demanded.
There were stages which the driver de
clared were to instantly start for the other
end of the island; but the passenger in a
hurry, having paid his fare, might either
get out and walk, or wait until the vehi
Gle was fully loaded, though that would
take half an hour. There were dairy
stands where the placard ''Fresh milk
five cents glass, referred to tiny glasses,
IS the incautious drinker of a middlln9
me was informed on being charged a
lime. There were various diversions.
,uch as throwing ball at Negroes head
protruded through the canvas, or rings
at pegs on which prizes were hung, or
quoits at stump which they were to en-
circle or lose the players money, all based
on the principle of alluring the thrower
into many trials in the hope of getting
back his coin and healing his wounded
vanity.
This ra+urns me- IN the MARQUIS de