The Washington critic., 1886-03-31
AT OLD POINT COMFORT.
How the Washington Colony There
Enjoys Itself.

28.-1t was just half past five o'clock
on Saturday evening when Captain
Barker of the good steamer Lady of
the Lake, lying at her wharf, gave the
order to "stand by there to cast off !"
A nimble deck hand sprang to the big
hempen cable that held the boat to the
wharf and on the command Of "lct
go" threw the rope over and slowly and
gracefully the vessel backed out into
the river, and, heading to the South,
plunged boldly through the fog and
mist on her way to the sea. Over all
Washington hung the lcaden gray
skies, from which all day the rain had
come steadily and pitilessly down till
everything was soaked and saturated,
and even the houses and trees, with the
water streaming down them, looked as
though they had just emerged from a
bath. A heavy mist was on the river
through which the lights of little
crafts at anchor shonc like great
bleared eyes. Aboard the steamer all
was hustle and noise. The deck hands,
with jests and cheery songs, were stow.
| ing the cargo forward, and steeragc
passengers running hither and thither
| after the almost distracted porter and
baggageman. At last quiet was re-
stored, the watch was piped away, and
| the lookoutman took his place In the
| bow, seeming like giant spectre in
the mist.
Inside, the cabin was q cheering
sight to see. The Lady of the Lake is
very snug and cosy boat, and she has
as neat n cabin as there is on the river.
Notwithstanding the large crowd aboard
Saturday night Purser Huntington
soon had all the people state-roomed
comfortably, and everybody was
happy.
This is becoming favoritc route to
the South-by rail from the East to
Washington, and thence by steamer to
Norfolk and Newport News, where
connection is made with the Chesa
pcalke & Ohio Railroad Company's fast
trains. 1t was late in the night when
the steamer came into the broad reaches
of the lower Potomac. A brisk wind
had sprung up, bringing cold rair
with it. Outside, on the forward deck
stood the lookoutman in his oil.skin
coat and sou.wester hat, keeping {
sharp lookout ahead. ITS a bad night
and wet berth out here, eh, partncr?'
"Aye, sir! that it is, but l don't
mind it much. I'm used to it
"Do you stand here all night?"
ooh, yes, we have man out here
and the captain or mate in the pilot
house So
"Red light on the starboarl bow
sir /"
An answer comes from the pilot
house, the wheel is put TO port anf
soon the dark outline OF n schooner |,
seen, dashinr bv on the windwarl
tack, How fearful the sea looks on {
stormy night. The great black waves
with White. e.capped fringe, looking like
terrible sea monsters showing their
teeth, dash themselves with fury a~ains
the sides of the shin, only to break int
spray and be blown away on the wind
| On come more of them, and looliin,
out over the waste of water an endless
line of them tumbling and dashins
over each other in their haste driver
on by the relentless winds.
What contrast to that scene Is Sun
day afternoon at Old Point Comfort
AS sill ont hero on the end of fin
wharf basliipr In the sunshine. what ;
delicious view is spread ont befor,
mel Away off to the right, over n,
eypapsc of water looking like n shee
of silver. rise the green trees borderin,
the banks of the historic James River
Straight across Hampton Roads
shelving beach of white sand. back o
which Is n fringe of trees that lool
blue in the distance, To the left nm,
east stretches the limitless ocean, cnlu
now. with only slow undulution lik,
the rise and fall of some sleeping Sc,
nymph's white breast. How mucl
more desirable is n seaside resort TIM
commands The view of an ever.vorv
ing panorama of changing landscape
than one where naught is seen but
great stretch of white beach and
greater stretch of green water. IN,
Hygeia Hotel has become very ponn
lar resort. There are over OOo perma
ncnt guests here TODAY, | am told, m,
there are more wanting TO Get here n
soon as there Is room. Quite n nun
ber of fashionable Washinrtoninn3 mr.,
here to cscapc the bleak March wlnl,
of their own city.
Senator Blackburn and his wife nm
daughters are here. | found the Sena
tor seated in big easy chair in tn
hotel lobby. fronting the bay. pulllnl
at fragrant cigar and taking in th
scenery. The mere mention of Cor
gress brought look of main into hi
lace that was narrowing to see. He /
| here he saws. 10 forpet for n foy dov