The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-08-04
A PERFECT STRANGER.
Ragusa Beach is not on tho map.

Cig0rS-OySterS In every SJyio, among hi'
best customers was one Jackman, who cheer
fully spent his time and money in Mr.. De
vines sample room, and shortly got into tina,
centleman's books TO the tune OF $500. Be-
ing hard pressed and in need OF further
credit this Jackmsn made over az collateral
fifty acres, more or less, Of Jersey soil on the
seashore and never redeemed them. When
Arthur p. Devine made his competency he
cast about, rs is the wont Of rich men, as to
tho best way OF getting rid Of it, and Jack
mans fifty acres offered an eligible oppor-
tunity He dubbed it Rsgusa Beach, sank
$4,000 In the Colonnade hotel and as much
more In laying out lots and booming the
town. But there they lay-the lots-snd
there the hotel stood, and that was all.
There was the best beach ON the Atlantic
coast, prime fishing and boating and IN
rivaled hotel accommodations; everything
except people. They won't TO Newport, Long
Branch, Cape May, and. 1t seemed to the de-
spairing Devine, every resort except Rag'isa
Beach. It didn't go" and nobody knew
why. One man said Devine didn't have the
push, another friend thought that 1t wanted
q boom, another said: "Oh, give it time,
can't you," and there was some talk about
Rome not being built In day. Occasionally
there strayed thither an idler or an invalid,
but no one came twics. One and all assured
Mr.. Devine that "Ragusa Beach was destined
to be the leading resort when it, advantages
were thoroughly understood" but all that
did not prevent tho gentlemany proprietor
from trembling on Che verge of bankruptcy.
When Mr. John Andrew Baxter came TO
Ragusa Beach with his wife and only daugh-
ter he was actuated by that perversity Of In
tellect and purpose which had gained for
him tho name Of crank among his social &C
Quaintances In business circles Mr. Baxter
was model Of conservatism and dealt In hard
ware. When speaking on the subject Of
nails or selling job lot Of files he was with
out trace of eccentricity, and always i'm
proved the shining dollar. Out Of doors he
was devoid OF sense and reckless alike Of dol
lars and the opinion Of the world. That's
what Mrs. Baxter said.
''You know, John" said she, with pardon
able acerbity, shat Winnie Is % ami quite
old enough to 10 married, and why you
should act so strangely about 1t don't know
Il do hope there IL no secret about your re-
luctance to permit Winnie to become 40
quainted with those In her own circle"
For answer Mr. Baxter would shut his
eyes and purse up his mouth In an aggravat-
ing and non-commital wsy very hard to
bear. Even whom Mrs.. Baxter u rotund
person Of easy ways threw her natural
placidty to the winds and resOrted to nag
gtng, Mr.. Baxter had not deigned . reason
able explanation Of his conduct. A jury Of
his peers might we'll hsve called II madness.
With the brightest Of prospects and well
dlled purse Mr.. and Mrs. Baxter and Mim
Baxter started out from their city house on
the LIST Of May 70 visit Saratoga. Now who
goes to Saratoga In Mayi OF course thers
was no one there, and after staying until
some one camo, which happened to be an
eligible banker, Mr.. Baxter bundled hts
charges TO tho Adirondacks. Too early, Of
course, but he kept them there until lnde-
pendence Day, and when he announced thab
they would next journey to the sea shore be
but raised hopes to dash them to the ground
by adding, "Ragusa Beach"
"Who," cried Mrs. Baxter, raising her
plump hands In despair, lever heard Of
Ragusa Bcschr
II have" replied Mr.. Baxter, closing his
eyes as he always did whom no anticipated
IN argument.
"Where Is itr
ION the coast"
"Of course said Mrs Barter, keeping her
temper admirably; "but, whore, joint
Maine or Floridar
1.-TWO weeks ago IL vas in Jersey. II u
quiet place. It IL also secluded"
80 had imagined-pray tell mo, John,
why u IL necessary for " to 60 to Rags
Beach, or whatever it, name isr'
I'm the first place." said Baxter, ~ have
the strongest inclination to1visit that place,
and that ought to satisfy you"
ut doesn't ct all," retorted Mrs. Baxter,
with rising choler. II have the strongest
inclination to visit the Branch, and 20 has
Winnie, and that ought to satisfy you. Sup
pose, John, you 60 to that secluded spot and
We will join you. cay about tho middle Of
6sptsmberr .... ...y ..
But this Mr.. Baxter wouldn't listen to.
He had no second place" TO advance, but
he was adamant, and Mrs.. Baxter had 70
submit. She witnessed, with ullen resigna-
ton, her lord and master (oh vsrsion) pack
his trunk and purchase tickets OF transporta-
ton, and then, and not till shen, did she
make final effort
II will not appeal to your feelings a. .
father, John Baxter" she said, with the dig
nifty Of q Roman matron, "for fear that
you know not the meaning Of the phrase;
but l will descend to tho vulgar level Of
your business intellect. Winnie Il speak
plainly--vinnie Is lS"----
"Twenty."
'John, implore you to be humanl
Eighteen and unmarried You say We are
not rich--you have repeatedly told me that
. crisis would bring things TO q panic with
you
''Don't NEEDLE with business terms, dear"
"You shall not divert me, sir. This being
%, is it not your duty - a mani
Thought you were not going TO appeal to
my feelingsr' G4
As a business man-your duty TO
think Of your daughters futurei Suppose
she should be left alone, who would accept
the penniless child Of pauper psrentr'
'Strong language. Janer roared Mr..
Baxter. "Whos . psupsr, I'd like to
known
'.Hs evades the issuef" exclaimed the
dame, with hands and eyes uplifted. "Oh,
bsavens, that was ever wedr'
30 they went to Ragusa Beach and secured
. suite Of rooms on. the second floor Of the
Colonnaie, and might have had the entire
DOOR for ali the gloomy Devine cared. THAT
snakes uipe.r be conddod to the calm gentle