Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-19
of THE EVENING STAR

Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR
SIAscoNsET, NANTUCKET ISLAND.
July IA, 1854.
Sconset during its long slumber since last
season has been visited by many horrible night
mares,-amOng them street lamps, modern cot
tages. fire department and the railroad. Last
Tuesday was the eventful day on which the
golden spike was driven by William Clarke or,
as he is better known, "Bllly" Clarke the town
crier The bluff cottages, porches and piles OF
sleepers that had not been used were filed with
an enthusiastic audience of natives and visitors
waiting for the train that should bring the band
and the hero of the day. The train comes with
many littleshrieks ofthe whistle and much putting
and blowing, and brings with it every variety OF
specimens OF humanity. from the fiat boy to
the why spinster, with corkscrew curls and the
inevitable satchel umbrella and eye glass.
The band are soon discovered, as their head
adornments are white, and then we see the
drum. The town-crier mady punges from the
car, followed by the band to the spot where the
golden spike Is to be driven and before realiz-
ing the situation the band has surrounded him
and begun to play. The tune is finally recog-
nized to be that unfamiliar air, Yankee DOODLE"
and the spike is driven in to the time of IT, amid
the loud hurrahs of the multitude and the ex-
ploslon OF an enormous fre-cracker by an enter
prising Nantucketer.
THE GOLDEN SPIKE"
The next movement is TO Investigate the nail
which has had most of the gliding hammered
off by the blows. And the train leaves in most
triumphant manner, minus the band, however
The curiosity of the natives was excited by the
machinery OF the engine, and every part was in
vestigated during its stop. One of them, who
returned with the train was seen to appear at
each window in the two cars on the platforms
in the freight car, and. finally, rode off holding
the rope on the platform. and waving his hat
as though he were the great mogul, and through
his efforts this gigantic feat had been accom-
plished. The officials of the railroad company
dlned at the Ocean View, the principal hotel, and
then there were speeches, and the band piayed
psalm tunes. The cottages were decorated with
flags, banners and lanterns In festive manner.
The route is by way of Surf Side. where there is
large hotel, and along the beach, giving view
OF the water most OF the way. In .,old times"
large omnibuses Of visitors came out from Nan
tucket, but now the train brings them 1t
starts on schedule time, but will stop for any
obstruction, as there is no other train to be en-
countered, and, therefor, no danger of collision.
few days ago the conductor dropped his plug
OF tobacco. and, immediately. stopped the train,
picked it up, and started off again.
OLD sCoNSET No MORE. IN a,..
In former days each cottage hung out its own
beacon light, but now We have arisen to the Dig
nifty OF street lamps and lamplighter Sunset
Heights has had half a dozen or more cottages
built, among them notably that of Prot. Wilder
OF Cornell university. The hotel has had an
annex furnishing 40 additional sleeping rooms
The fishermen are enjoying very successful
season, catching large numbers OF blue fish,
which. after supplying the village, they ship
per railroad to town, and from there to the
mainland. .....
+ The fire department consists Of an engine
house and an engine and fire tanks Eperyqnale
in the village is a member. and early IN the
season. every other Saturday night tank was
played off for excitement
SCONsET WEDDING.
There has also been a wedding here, one Of
of the seven daughters Of native. When
asked if she would take the man to be her
welded husband, the bride replied Eyes. sir"
The rope has been put out. and the water is
lively at eleven o'clock with bathers. and
many frantic efforts to learn the art of SWIM
ming are made.
The flowers that are gladdening the hearts OF
many are the white and yellow daisies wild
roses swamp pinks, orchids and water lilies
The vegetation man" announces that since the
railroad has been built there will be "a great
composition in vegetation this summer" The
afternoons are spent on the beach amid books,
and all unite in
Goodbye to pain and carel 1 take mine ease
Here where the sunny waters break
And ripple this keen breeze, shake
All burdens from the heart, all weary thoughts
away" A "