Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-24
pecial oorre.pondence Of rHE Eyrs1xe srAn.

Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING star.
ISLES OF SHOALS, August -, 1889.
Springing abruptly. gray and gaunt. out of the
cool waters of the Atlantic, some six or eight
miles from the coast and directly off Ports
mouth, N. H., is a little group OF rocky isles.
The solid rock of which they are composed
is scanned and furrowed-worn by the un-
counted storms of many centuries. On their
Jagged shores have been laid the bones of many
q staunch ship and its crew.
Now, however, light house with powerful
burner rears itself on one of the islands, while
on two of the others handsome summer hotels
have been erected. These are
THE FAMOUS ISLES OF SHOALS
The islands are nine in number-Duck, An
derson, Cedar, Appledore, White, Star, Smutty-
nose, Londoners and Square apparently So
called on account Of its being almost absolutely
round).
On Appledore and Star Islands are situated
the summer notes.-the Appledore and the
Oceanic; the light house is on White Island; a
few fishermen live on Smuttynose and CEDAR
the rest are uninhabited.
Appledore Island, on which am stopping, is
the largest OF the group. 1t, like the Others Is
practically solid mass of rock, with here and
there scanty patch of grass. No vegetation
tree on the islands, and that is directly in front
OF the hotel and so is sheltered by it. As the
isles as a summer resort are but little known to
Washlngtonians some of their salient points
may not be uninteresting. In 1889 Thomas
Laighton came to the isles a disappointed man
to keep the light house, having resolved to
shun mankind. But in this resolution he was
disappointed likewise, for in 184S he started, in
a small way. the Appledore House on Hog or
Appledore Island The house became
POPULAR RESORT
for New England people of the better class
and has from time to time been enlarged
until it now accommodates about five hundred
people, the Oceanic holding as many more,
Laighton had three children-Oscar, Cedric
and Celia. Oscar and Cedric now own most
OF the island, and both the hotels. Celia Is
better known to the world at large as Celia
Ihaxter. the gifted poetess. The place is per-
haps unequaled health resort. To the
tired and WORKOUT jewellers in cities its crisp,
salt, invlgoratlng air is like the breath of life
From whatever quarter the wind may blow it
always comes from the sea- and brings new
strength with it. Practically. a stay on its
rocks is a continual ocean voyage. robbed of
its terrors.
1t lacks the feverish excitement usual in
coast resorts, and itlacks, too, their mosquitoes.
The most thrilling occurrence during my stay
SO far is the reported engagement of the Sec
viol. 1t is hardly necessary to say that the
orchestra is composed of a mixture of the
sexes.
The same people come here year after year,
the children grow into manhood and woman
hood breathing each summer its bracing
breezes
cHILDREN's PARADISE.
1t is paradise for children. In front of the
hotel is an inlet flushed with each high tide
and protected by a sea gate, where they
battle, row and sail throughout the day, bar
ring the time they race up and down the piazza,
making a racket that causes many a sigh for
the good old days of Herod But they thrive
and grow brown and lusty and are the con-
trolling spirits of the place.
WALTERS AND COURSES.
The walters are mattresses. 1t is an unfair
advantage to take of an inhabitant Of a middle
or southern state. The first one was assigned
to had an eccentric idea that would prefer
that she should bring all the courses at one
time and keep them on the side table until l
was ready for them. l pleaded with her un-
availingly. told her had a fool prejudice
In favor of having things hot, but she would
not relent couldn't stand off and anathe-
matize her as would man. for she looked at
least granddaughter Of chief Justice: SO /
had my table changed and all went we'll. Ny
new Ganymede humored my eccentricities and
was happy. The table is very good, the fish
and Holsters being delicious
The time is passed principally in loafing, in
terspersed with tennis, sailing, rowing and
fishing. In the evening there is little dane
ing and by II O'Clock the house is wrapped in
slumber.
In strolling over the rocks day or SO ago
came across some walls OF stone, evidently the
remains of some old house. On inquiry was
astounded to find that the place had
A HISTORY.
The Isles Of Shoals were first noted by Cham
plain in 1905. In 1914 Capt. John Smith of
Pocahontas fame landed on the Isles and named
them Smiths Islands. pile Of stones still
standing on Appledore island is called Smiths
earn and Is alleged to have been erected by
the brave adventurer. Some time after this
the Isles began to be frequented by fishing
vessels, drawn thither by the immense schools
OF fish found periodically there, and from these
schools or shoals the Isles received the name
by which they are now known and the popula-
ton gradually became permanent. and as it
grew in size grew also in ungodliness and the
people were more than once rebuked by the
the Massachusetts, authorities for their lawless-
ness. 1t Is vaguely intimated that pirates were
not unwelcome visitors to the Isles in those
days. The principal settlements were Apple
dore on Hog Island and Gosport on Star Island,
and the total population reached six hundred
souls.
WHAT HE WOULD DO.
1t Is related that on one occasion clergy
man, endeavoring to appeal to them in language
that should reach their understanding said:
Surprising, my brethren, any of you should
be caught In the bay in northeast Storm your
hearts trembling with fear and nothing but
death before you, whittier would your thoughts
turn? What would you do?'
What would do?" replied one Of these
hardy sons of Neptune. why, I'd hist the
forest and scud away for Squam."
Some time later the Isles were divided be-
tween New Hampshire and Maine, and ON the
state of New Hampshire attempting to collect
taxes from her portion of the Isles the popu-
lation of Appledore emigrated in a BODY TO
Gosport and left the rocks to pay the taxes.
FEWER FISH AND FEWER PEOPLE
By degrees, however, the fishing grew less
and less lucrative and the population dwindled
away. When Laighton came out in 1887 Star
Island was the only one inhabited, and that by
only few fishermen. So now the rocks on
which the old inhabitants were wont to dance
the ungodly May-pole dance and consume un-
told quantities of rum bear only a silent testi-
mony of their former owners in some decayed
walls and the old church on Star Island A
new generation, however, are finding health
and pleasure on their picturesque heights.
+. B. N.
West End Joe.
From the Atlanta Journal.
That's West End Joe," said q street-csr
driver, pointing to long-legged mule of the