New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-14
ON THE BOARD WALK.
FOUNDER" BRADLEY'S COSMOPOLITAN
DOMAIN


the earth. Apparently the centre Of the world OF
people. not Of science art Is situated somewhere
under the long line OF electric lights which dsnGes
tho great cosmopolitan thoroughfare. 1t Is the
world OF the middle classes add but princes ana
gamblers and II would be what the world calls the
world.
In the evening It is glare Of light and swirl Of
gayly attired women and well-drcssed men. There 10
terrific footing by brass bands and sort Of roar OF
conversation that swcls up continually from the
throng. There clusters OF "fakirs" adding
their sfrl cries 10 the clamor OF the many
noisy devices to catch the unmatched nlckle. Only
the crowds the bands and the surf.
Occasionally philosophers ponder over the question
why all these people down to the beach evening
after evening There is the but It Is evident. d
first glance, that one looks at the
siders 1t in any way. The crowd at Asbuy Park
does not sit and cape at the sea. The Atlantic Ocean
Is q matter Of very small consequence. No doubt
occasional slances are thrown Mt 1t. Lovers on the
beach are supposed sometimes to contemplate It,
when the peeps over the horizon, but It Is Az
parent that the ocean Is secondary matter and u
merely tolerated. 1t could not be the music Of
course. because thousands Of people would not con-
gregatc to hear Indifferent bands play.
But the people come to see the people. The huge
wooden hotels empty themselves directly after dinner:
the boarding houses seem to turn upside down anA
shake out every boardcr; the cotiagers make ready
for an evening stroll, and up In the business part OF
the town the merchants and clerks bestr themselves
and finish their work. roll down their sleeves and put
on their coats. Then an lie to the big boardwalk
For there Is 10Y to the heart In a crowd. One Is IN
life and Of life then. Nothing escapes; the worie
Is going on and one is there to perceive 1t.
The walk itself IS heavy plank structure varying
from so to feet In width and extending along the
entire ocean frontage Of the town. 1t Is built on
heavy pilngs whose tops usually from four TO ten
foo+ haae lTnmOy0Ol0
wooden benches stretch along the edge Ut the Walk
and andward a lawn comes flush with 1t. Next 10
this is brick walk and then the driveway ocean
ave. Statues allegorica and memorial, occupy po
sitiOns the lawn, with also many little paVohs ao
hummer houses. During certain hours this great passage
IS fairly choked with humanity. The whole spacious
mile long by 80 to 100 feet wdeis alive and swarm
ing with pedestrians Confusion never reigns only
because the general pace Is leisurey and every one
keeps moving"
Day excursion trains sometimes bring down -
many rs 1900 people to enjoy lew coo'
hours by the THIS momenarily gives the re-
sort population Of about 5000. And they all appear
on the beach. When great public meetings are heao
on the beach and boardwalk audiences OF 10000
persons gather frequently. 1t is said that 10000
people watched the participants in the annual baby
parade as the nurse maids trundle their charges
down the walk.
Tie average summer guest here Is a rather porty
man, with a good watch chain and business suit OF
clothes, a wife and about three children He STANDS
in his two shoes with American self reliance ana.
plavng casually with his watch-chan, looks at tho
world with a clear eye lie submits TO the arrogant
prices Of some OF the hotel proprletors with calm
Indifference; he will pay fancy prices for things WIZ
a cp.at unconcern However, deliberately and
BADLY attempt to beat him out Of fifteen cents ana ne
will put his hands in his pockets, spread MS legs
apart and wrangle, in loud voice, until sundown.
N bo Iioo In Ia and mr. SITS a b9nch, read.
ing papers and smoking cigars, while his blessed
babies are dazzling around throwing sand down his
back and emptying their little pals OF sea-water IN
nj, boots In the evening he putt on his best ana
takes his wife and the girls" down 10 the BOARDWALK
lie enjoys himself in very mild way and dr1ooles
out lot OF money under the impression taS' NO V
proceeding cheapls.
However the long .famous summer girl takes
precedence In point of interest She has been en-
shrined in sentimental rhyme and satrfcaI prose TOT
so long that is difficult for one TO tell Just WHAT sne
Is and what she isn't. II one Is to believe inc
satirtsts, a would better encase himself IN
barrel put dinner plates down his trousers legs and
shake hands with her BY means OF very long
handled pitchforl. II the rhymers are TO DO reheo
on she is a maiden with bonny blue eye and
tender smile and with red heart palpitant under
fields of white flannel. At any rate, she Is here on
the boardwalk In overwhelming force and the golden
youths evidently believe the poets.
The amount OF summer girl and golden youth
busIncss that goes on around this boardwalk Is
amazing. A young man comes here mayhap, from
distant city. Everything Is new to MIN ana III con-
sequence, he is young man. lie Is not the
same steady and, perhaps, sensible lad who oendeo
all winter over the ledger in the city Office. There
a little more rose-tint and giltedge to him. he
finds here the beach, he saunters forth In his
somewhat false hues, a summer girl who just suits
him. She exactly fits his new environment. when
he returns 10 the ledger he lays down his coat q
strange colors and visions fade. Allah II Allah.
But she with her escort escorts. makes hfc 40
summer resorts. She Is bit Of interesting unsel
flashing near the sombre hucd She gives
the zest 10 life the great boardwalk. withoue
her the men would perish from WEAKNESS or fall to
lighting usually fall to fighting II they are left
alone long enough, and the crowd on the boardwaK
would be a mob without the smile Of the summer
girl She absent. the bands would play charges ana
retreats and the soda water fountains would run
blood. Man is compelled by nature TO be either
lover or "A red handed villain
Great storms create havoc with tho heavy plankfng
Of the walk nearly every fall. The huge beams are
torn and twisted and smashed by the breakers In
regardless manner. making an annual bill OF ex-
pense OF Sl5 900. This bill for repairs is met by
James A. Bradley. He Is millionaire. who bought
the land upon which this resort is situated years
ago for a nominal price. lie stn has great posses
sions here A part OF them is tho ocean 'front.'
Everybody knows him and everybody calls him
Founder Bradley lie Is a familiar figure at any
hour Of the day. lie white sun-umbrclls
with a green lining and has very fierce and passion
ate WHISPERS whose ngidty Is relieved BY an occa-
sional twinkle In his bright Irish eye He walks
habitually with Blended back and thoughtful brow,
continually In the depths Of some great question
OF finance Involving, may hap change In the lum.
Der market the price Of nails He Is noted for
his wealth, his whiskers and his eccentricites. He
is a great seeker after the curious. When he per-
ceives IL be buys IT,. Then he takes II down -
the beach and puts 1t the boardwalk with .
little sign over 1t, Informing the traveller OF 10
history It's value and Its virtues.
on the boardwalk some old boats, an
ancient ships bell, hand fire engine OF antique
design All iron anchor. Il marble bathtub ana
various articles OF interest to everybody. his
boardwalk, and II he wants TO put 1000 IRE
engines and bathtubs on ii he will do So 1t 70