The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-16
JERSEYS BREEZY SHORE.
The Sharp Contrast Between the Morality of
Ocean Grove and Long Branch.
rresrondence Of the Indianapolis Journr,.

Correspondence Of the Indianapo Journe,.
LONG BRANCH, Aug. 13-Ocean Grove is seven
miles down the coast from Long Branch, and the
two places furnish striking contrast The
Methodist church forces upon the one a charac-
ter for orderiness; the other is the haunt of
quiet responsibility, gayety and vice in rot far
from equal proportions. At Ocean Grove,
Sundays, a horse may not be driven on the
streets. ocean bathing is prohibited and the
great tabernacle is filed to the last seat by
people who listen to good and bad sermons. The
pavilions near the beach filled with people, it
is true, but there is no eating or drinking-all is
quiet and orderly. Children disport themselves
upon the beach, bury their little Drowned bodies
In the sand and tempt the water to play with
their toes, but they have the subdued manner Of
good Sunday school children.
AT Long Branch, however, there is little to
remind the sojourner at hotel that the Sabbath
has come Ocean bathing goes on as usual, one
is glad to know; riding and driving on the ocean
road go on gaily ever; strains of music
that would create soul under the ribs of
death issue from the parlor, and everything is
as merry usual If there are any churches,
they are not in sight and attention is not called
to them. Stores are open, and the
long procession of saloons keeps open
house. But to an old resident of a
conservative town, whose character was
given to it by the solid early settlers, and which
more than half century has not effaced the
public gambling at Long Branch is distressing
feature. There are two or three Of these houses,
but that of the Days, called do not know
why, the pennsylvania Club" is the richest,
and is the most elegant without and within. The
grounds are spacious. the lawns are smooth and
green, and beds and banks of brightest flowers
attract the eye. The house is large, stylish
use of the modern cottage" design, and is
splendidly furnished Anyone may walk in at
the wide open doors, on any day, at any time,
day or night; and, getting checks for his fifty
and hundred dollar bills, may risk his money
at faro or roulette, or any other Of the games of
chance that are in progress. There is no effort
at concealment but everything is quiet and
derby. 1t is what George Eliot calls an excited
calm" A policeman in uniform sits at the door,
but the arm of the law is not thrust within. At
Baden-B Baden and Monaco public gambling
houses have been suppressed; but others eXpe
rience is never needed. Each place must first
lose its soul, and then work out its salvation on
the same old lines. At the DAYS the curious
stroller is saved that most wretched of sights
seen formerly at Monaco-women, hard featured,
haggard. highly excited, playing at roulette.
The New Jersey coast from near Sandy Hook
to Cape May, with perhaps gap now and then,
Is succession of summer resorts, some conspic
uous, others insignificant, but all blessed with
the invigorating ocean air, and beaches upon
which the breakers roll ceaselessly. The village
of Long Branch is back from the ocean mile
and half The pioneer in the West always cut
down the trees for quarter of a mile about his
cabin, and his successor, roasted by the sun,
planted out evergreens IN their place. So the
Jerseyman ignorantly refused what his Creator
had offered him, and let the wicked New Yorker
come in and fake it. If he had built his hut near
the beach, where he could look out summer ard
winter upon the limitless sea, now calm, but
always capable OF great things, he might now be
more of man. AS it is, his rule is gone down
before the advance of wealth from abroad and
he is the gardener, and dairyInan, and peasant
whore he ought to be the sturdy master.
The Long Branch of fashion and fame begins
at an underlined point ON the coast and ends at
some other point, also underlined. but l suppose
it may be said to be three miles long No
branch" is visible Hotels and cottages sue
coed each other, some plain, others tasteful
others rich in artistic ornamentaton. All the
hotels and many of the cottages have their bath
ing houses upon the beach, and the lover OF the
music of feminine screams, of beauty in bathing
attire, the man who laughs like trombone
when the ladies are upset and rolled in by the
breakers, must distribute himself good DEAL
There seems to be little change in the fashion
of bathing suits. The manly figure looking
we'll enough when clothed in its business or
society dress, is more often than formerly dressed
in skin tight, thin wooens, w-necked and
short sleeved: and more than ever looks as if it
ought to be kept under water. The ladies run
little more to broad, gay, perpendicular stripes
But dark blue flannel without trimming yet
holds its own. and probably always will 1t is
comfortable, inconspcuous and always in good
taste Skirts and trousers reach to the knee,
and the latter are held in place more or less
firmly and it seems that black stockings are al
AT tS' the Vest End one sees '"' more
fashionable young ladies. 1t is the dwell
ing place Of elegance and high prices.
The beaux who dance with them, fiirt and are
fiirted, wear white flannel suits and carry natty
little canes, 60 down upon the beach; and so the
girls are naturally somewhat timid But once in
the water, and once wetted, they exhibit great
deal of dash and abandon, and it is only when
they come out that they seem to sneak off,
shrinking, ashamed. The prettiest bather is
dear little brunette about seventeen years old.
She is the very picture of grace. She is dressed
in plain, dark blue flannel suit, the full skirt
reaching only half way to the knees and before
it is wetted, hanging outward from the body
Her pretty arms are sleeveless. On her finely
poised head she wears gay scarlet silk turban;
her stockings are magenta. She hasa joyous smile.
Tier chestnut hair. pushing out in front from
under her CAP, as if wishing to see her charming
face, shades her large, dark. brilliant as
With short, dancing steps, full of spirit, she
trips down to the water with the lightness and
airy grace of the fairy in the spectacle There
is poetry III her movement, romance in her eyes,
a future of conquest, and plainly she doesn't
know it,
But, as usual. the prettiest girls are the nurses,
and they do not have half chance in this life
Dress them up as the petted darlings are dressed
and let it be known that they are here and ex-
ira trains would need to be run. Even the en-
gagged men would come, and, as they took the
last lingering look. they would say: pretty
girls, morituri saiutamus!" PIG.