New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-22
KATHARINE NORTH.
"A GREAT PUBLIC SPEAKER"
vi.


en- decisively in such a short space OF time. That
is anything which had been closed with such
extreme tlShtness
OF course the ocean had been there all through
the spring; and the white stretch OF Nantasket
beach and the hills and Point Allcrton. and the
many other lovely things But IN resort, y
ocean and hills are likely to be considered only os
incidental accompaniment to bowling alleys and
shooting galleries and ice-cream saloons; ana
innumerabe places where you can get q genuine
shore dinner" with immense slabs OF watermelon
for dessert ard all for fifty cents.
Yes, certainly the season was open on this south
eru coast OF Massachusetts Bay. The band in the
yeranda of Hotel Nantasket was tootleing and
drumming every afternoon and evening Steam
boats were stopping at the landings; crowds of
people were streaming up from those landings; all
the earlier part of the day, and streaming back
again in the afternoon.
The people who were " residing" here were not
often seen until nearly sunset. Then they walked
out on piazzas, they drove languidly forth IN
all kinds Of summer carriages And they looked
down on those who walking.
What these residents did during the long hours
when they were not visible may never he definitely
known to those who are not in their set
Sometimes, from the scrupulousness with which
they remained unseen, it had been rumored among
The rrcveent that these chosen were kept shut
up in little dens fed by Keepers and only let OUT
when the sun was at just such point above the
horizon, and when, from some cause. they become
harmless, and could be permitted to roam at large
in the world they seemed to think they adorned.
Isn't it beautiful? ?"
Yes; it's just as pretty as it can be. It's the
prettiest evening we've had since we've been here.
I do wish l could 20 out in boat. or something.
The above question was put Dy Katharine. and
the answer given by Joanna as tie two stood at
the door of one the cafes that are scattered along
above high-water mark on Nantasket beach,
II was getting so nearly dusk that the swarms
of flies in the long room behind them only buzzcd
conyulsiyely and individually. not continuously
and unanimously, az when the sun was high In
the heavens.
The odor of fried fish and chowder was also
GRADUALLY growing fainter and fainter. flowing on
IN the southwest wind that breathed gently now
among the pinked tissue paper festoons ABOUT 'he
ceiling and over the lamps
There were three rows of tables ranged along
the room: little oblong tables with shiny wooden
tops In the middle of every table stood small
castor and a dimnutive tumbler of pink glass.
This pink glass tumbler was filled with tooth
picks.
The two girls had been at the cafe for several
DAYS They had learned what to do in that time.
but they were not very expert in the doing of 1t.
Particularly was Katharine sometimes seized
with sudden helpessness when the room would
all at once become full and orders seem hope
lessly complicated.
Now, however, there was only one man. lie
1vas sitting at a table that belonged to Emma
Taft He was slowly eating plain bolied clamS
which he dipped in melted butter then tilted his
;ntn mic
40 far down his throat that the act of swallowing
became superauous. There always some men
who will eat CLAIMS in that way. 1t is fascl-
Mating. but not wholly pleasing employment, 10
watch them as they thus feed themselves.
Emma Taft. whose duty it was to attend TO
this PERSONS wants, was watching now and count
inc inyolnntarily as he elevated his head
She was wishing also that he would hurry up
md 20 for she wanted 10 join the wv" girls AT
the door. 1t was almost too late now LOT ahSoouS
20 come in until in the evening. when the peopie
,ybo came 70 listen TO the band would refresh
themselves with ice cream
"Twentv.seyen.' half audibly whispered Emma
Taft AS the twenty-seventh clam was enguheo'
"Ob demt see how he does it," she thought
fretfulIv and YEARLY. But then he takes time
enough land knows wonder what the CLAIMS
,hink 70 be thrown in like that. 90 nope he
won't want pie or anything.
She glanced at the door again 'oahna az"
Katharine had stepped without on 10 'he oioao
platform. They stood with their arms univ"
loosely about each other, and they were cohS'dn,y
looking hack to see if. by any chance. their tables
were occupied.
,rto mon took his knife and knocked loudly Oh
80 ~ water. Then he looked domlneerlngy
=. Er,roa ,ybo had Immediately started tO"aru
- II;e IDOL, intimated that she had not CONC
"A cup of coffee, strong, ana pie'o -
ington pie he SAID. .o,. h;s cbeck
aNou don't be all night about it,, he remarked
NTH a half laugh You girls have roueih
GOOD time here, guess, don't you =
She smiled constrainedly and answered
"Yes. sir when we amt too busy
She removed the pile of clam shells ana inc
crumbs of bread, and the dish OF meited Du''cf
from the table .,,,
The man leaned back and watched her. freely
using a toothpick as he did So As hnnia nun
ried thus laden, by her two acquaintance she
,aid
You two girls arc lucky. L guess tnao VI"
mans going to eat all night
"Not so lucky as you think. There comes
somebody now" responded Joanna quickly. Il
wonder whose table they'll 90 TO? just look
et 'um, Kitty They are the real high-uifum-
bufums. you bet What in the world are they
coming here for?'
The two girls stepped within so as not only
10 be ready but TO seem so. Emma Taft fastened
on into that mysterious region where there is
always frying and boiling, and where dishes are
always Gathering
The people who had entered were a man and
woman. The woman was little past middle
age. but she dressed and carried herself with Il
certain air that made people think very little OF
that fact She was not exactly "dashy," but She
was quite a good deal in evidence wherever she
appearcd Particularly was this the case in
Mace like this she had just entered.