Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-08-24
LETTER FROM THE sEAsHoRE.
ATLANTIC CITY, n. j.,

AIN convinced that no inner ocean 'hoi
the Atlantic can be found in the Unit
ed States or any other country. Inc
wild waves thunder on the shore just
exactly as the poets say, the vast, IL
limitable sea presents its heaving bo-
som precisely as described in the
books. Atlantic City is mighty me
place from which TO view the ocean.
The town is bounded on three sides
by the sea and on the other side by
the State of New Jersey. l don be-
lieve it would be bounded by New Jer-
sew. though, if it could help it. One
of the drawbacks TO the place is the
fact that YOU have to travel across
New Jersey to reach here, and are
Obliged TO look out on a flat landscape,
sand. pines. marshes, and hills, aver
aging about seven and a-half feet III
height. | AIN told that some people
travel on the night trains in order TO
avoid being afflicted with the view.
The permanent population of Allan
tic CITY is about 90, 900 souls-l reckon
they all have souls, though you would
not think it when you pay ten cents
for one-cent paper or imblbe some
of the soft drinks that are sold-while
the floating or visiting population
gets up as high as fifty thousand. All
the buildings here that are not hotels
are boarding-houses, except number
of private cottages belonging to rich
folks who enjoy the seashore in their
own homes.
There is board walk here that is a
fine thing. 1t is about four miles
long, and extend along the beach for
that distance, elevated on posts about
six feet above the sand. At high tide
the waves dash up TO and sometimes
upon the walk, while at low tide there
is long stretch of sand betwixt it
and the water. Everybody prone
nades along this board walk. On the
one side is the ocean, with every now
and then pavilion or pier running
away out into the water. You can't
see to the other side of the ocean
It's too far. They tell me that straight
across the water the first land that
would be met is the coast of Spain.
But its Spainfully far away On the
land side of the board walk are booths
of every size and condition, where
you can buy almost anything-rellcs
from the Holy Land, root beer, shells
not bombshells-nicely sailed cigars,
peanut candy, and so forth. You can
also have your picture taken about
every sixty feet, for there are as many
photograph establishments here as
there are beer saloons in Philadelphia.
Then there are merry go rounds,
where for five cents any one can ride
on lion, or a bear, or hen, or 81
raffe, or an ostrich for several min
utes. at the same time feasting the
ear on elegant music that is kept up
by means of cog wheels attached to
musical instrument of torture. The
lions and things are not alive, being
made of wood, but they look a great
deal more natural than the genuine
animal, and are much more highly
colored The visitor is given every
opportunity to enjoy himself. Of
course you are charged moderate
prices for the various amusements,
but you can see the ocean all you
want to and look at the pretty girls
without it costing you a cent.
The ocean hereabouts is principally
used for bathing purposes. About IL
o'clock in the morning the fun begins.
The tide is rather low then, and fine
stretch of sand shows itself. Ladies
and gentlemen and children attire
themselves in more or less stunning cos
tunes in the numerous lighthouses
near the water and get themselves
ready for plunge. There are thous-
ands of the bathers in the water at
the same time, and it is very pretty
and interesting sight. Many of the
people plunge in boldly and enjoy the
struggle with the big breakers that
roll in so steadily and at times SO
overwhelmingly. Others, especially
the girls who have prettily arrayed
bangs and becoming costumes, linger
around the edge of the water and
saunter up and down the sand look
ing sweet. | don't know how it
strikes the old stagers, but to green
horn like myself this surf bathing is
one of the most enjoyable things i'm
imaginable. We Shepherdstown folks
thought we would be awkward at
first, and would not be able to disport
ourselves in the breakers with any
degree of grace or comfort. But we
made the effort, and soon found our
selves getting along as well as any OF
the bathers. Great waves come i'll
and break over the people, and some
times overwhelm them. Those who
have been watchful either spring to
the top or dive through, and enjoy it,
while Others Of the bathers are lifted
from their feet by wave that over
turns them, mikes them up, rolls them
over and over and finally breaks on
the beach and leaves them to get
ready for the next one. 1t is a most
exhilarating sport, and | don't wonder
it is so fascinating to so many. The
first day we were in we could hardly
tear ourselves away. a big wave just
as we were going out expedited Gus
Shepherd amazingly, and gave him
good send off.
This place is favored with as great
number of high and low tides as