New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-29
ODD NOTES OF TEA VEL.
AN EARLY TOURIST IN VIRGINIA


THE srRuodLE SsR LIFE ~ OLD DOMINION HorrLa
AND on TINE CHESAPEAKE STEAMBOATS,.
The average citizen of Northern Virginia awakens a
this to the fact that the tourist Is abroad In tho
land Richmond, Norfolk and the Chesapeake Bay 70
sorts are crowded with people who have Just CONT
from st. Augustine" or people who wish they ha
and are trying to substitute Virginia for tho Ponce
Leon
TRIBUNE reporter recently found the Virgins
tourist an interesting study. Stout old ladies were
there with pretty daughters, heads Of families strug
Cling sadly along under shawl straps and punches OF
umbrellas, and men and women in ugly cloth helmets
of which, like ferryboat, either end IS front. The
solitary tourist was also on hand, who goes Il alone
in tho congenia society Of gun and satchel. II
steamer they arc seen leaning over tho rail- with
yearnins gaze Hxed the ducks that are eveywhers
to be seen or else hobnobbing with deckhand TO gst
points on Virginia game
The sang-plank of a Bay steamer had hardly been
thrown out to the dock at Old Point Comfort, whom
thin, sourlookng woman of uncertain age, hurried
board leading small child No was she safely
on the boat than she turned anxlously around and
called out: Edward, Edward, where is mother and
the brdi' There a rush Of passengers for .
moment, and then Edward hove In sight. He was .
short man, with resigned expression and two shawl
straps sx, o.,..
al don't know he SAID tucking two umbrellas and
tho fold glass under his arm and letting 90 the on
shawl strap to get better grip Don't ,, HCrry; ;
mother, feel that she Is competent to take care Of
herself and every bird in America from canary to
buzzard.'
He evidently stranger He didn't seem to
know that when travellers to Richmond they either
take lunch hampers with them live peanuts and
water.
He went to q Richmond hotel and modsstiy called
for beefstoak. When it he nkercd at it for ten
minutes, and then he said:
"waitcr."
asahn
awhst Is thisf'
Beofstssk, sab"
RECKON dey do, sab. unless dey got right smart
Yes. Well, haven't. I'm from NewYork You
take that steak back to the cook waiter and tell him
hsvea't hurt IT any. I've only bent It a little.'
Petersburg is another Virginia city that cannot bs
regarded a gourmet's paradise Florida tourfss
stopped over train last week. and strolling about the
CITY, concluded TO ret a glass Of sodavater. He wan
dered into rug-storo and paused before a narrow
marble counter, from which protruded tall Pipe
shaped like q fshhook.
awhat have you goti" he inquired Of the clerk
Excelsior water'
"What elfor
aonly Saratoga vatera'
"Excelsier water"
TH sslI tR'F' was q silence TILL Tho 'i'fa ''"
al was trying TO decide what to tahe,' said the
tourist slowly. AZ think-wel, give mo Excelsior,
this time o.
She was fair young girl, but she dropped her sstchs
into q vacant seat at Richmond and opened the car
window with q business like air. Behind her sat
tall old man. of rather delicate appearance, reading
"The Lives Of Eminent Saints In big green volume
When tho train started and the April breeze came
rushing in the open window, The Lives Of Emil
nent saints' seemed to lose interest, the old man
ndgcted about extracted two cinders from his left
eye and then spread his umbrella and held IL IN
front OF him. Shortly afterward tho owner OF tho
open window observed the umbrella with some sur
prise. $780,.
"Not in the least,- he said shutting Tho Eminsns
What have you put up that umbrella forf'
Its only an experiment Young sSy b.or. .a n.
cndeH burn UP my 'brell, that's ALL
Speaking Of umbrellas recalls q incident that
occurred In Richmond hotel. family Of four,
including tho grandfather, were coming up from
Florida by easy stages and stopped ovor night In
Richmond The old gentleman had reached the
border line Of dotago and had to be pretty carefully
watched. 1t happened that in the room over his,
some water spilled on the hoor ana loanns
through the thin ceiling, It drpped 90 the old mans
bed Whom his daughter entered his room in the
morning she found her father sitting bolt upright
in bod Just under the leak with an umbrella spread
over him. and an expression Of terror ais face.
Maria, Maria he whispered hushIy, - the Day o.
Judgment has come
He eating supper in the stuhy saloon OF
Chesapeake Bay steamboat, and when no had nnished
the meal, the waiter brought finger bowl with THAI
touch Of coorcd poltsness which precedes the
expected fec. Tho guest nostened his fingers and
Inns from the bowl and then look of surprise ovcr-
spread his face.
what IS that's no asked
"water, sab"
ats kerosene
"water, s2h'
the fumes of coal oil arose from his mustacho and
fingers. what do you take me fort DO you think
nv mustsche IS a lampwick1 Maybe you think I
want TO be torchlight processionP
"sah15
"Take that stun away, I tell you.5 Numbered the
ollcovered tourist The terrified waiter oheycd. and
a moment later reappcayed with another bowl and
aid tremblngly: - reckon you right, sab
dono gave you the bowl what the lamps drip in, sahs