New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-09
AMONG THE BANKERS.
RARREN LAND AND BARREN LIFE ON The
CAROLINA SFA ISLANDS.

81 much has been written Of late concerning The
natives Of the more isolated and uncivized paris oi
| ,h,, country that # would seem to-day theme 'oo
! worn 10 prove Interesting. All kho" the "tole Ia
Cracker the types Of New England ana the lar west
ono vrI,er has opened mine Of beauty and pathos
in the Tennessee mountains; another has p'cur'u
Ioul.I,na ~ the life. and Virgina's fertility mas
,o,dod % another a rich harvest Then. TOO thiN Is
a eonerntion OF travellers, and few ana lar pe'"'''
ore the localities which have escaped the ir'elns
uluence OF the professional tourist IrAVel Is 'hns
o., los,,c ono ~ Us greatest charms. and the eX-
orer and dI,coverer must already be signing TOT H."
worlds for with the present system OF tranSpor'a'lo"
] ,n ,,,s mr.. fast turning and the discovered are
discovering.
But there are places stlll to be found. here ana
there where the local flavor and color are not ai'o
cothcr gone and OF these Is along the coast oi
! North Carolina. With the exception OF lew en-
| ,.u.i,.ic sportsmen and occasional summer
boardcr the place and It's people are strangers TO the
rest ~ tho world Every child. no doubt, can recite
! IN. history Of the principal one Of this chain OF
,.,onds and the mere mention OF its name-kOahOAe-
will revive memories too pleasant l. oneF hearts
put the Inhabitants OF this and the adjoining Islands
are DELIGHTFULLY."- unique, and rs yet can DE iouhu Ill
the orginal-a rare luxury these days
The peculiar name given To these people Is PAIN
, sug res,lye OF the present financial crisis aud in
,h. reason for their being called BanherS-beoauSe
,hev live on the banis-there may not appear any
great distinction from another class for 'nel' HOW"
ever the older and more familiar usage OF the term
has scarcely any significance. rs the primitive stock
ing and cracked teapot are still In use ther so'e
depository.
Bnr not to rush too abruptly upon these good peo-
ME and their preludccs sets off from the main
land I'm orthodox fashion, which means waiting week
for n small dirty stufy steamer, called perhaps Tie
swan" or the "Water Lily" or smiling across ire
AIremarle in open boat. The latter way mas Us
advantages II you utterly Indifferent To your ia'e
Bat wind and wave being favorable, twenty-fonr
hours from the early mornings start sees the sun
rise from the ocean, and the home of the Banker-a
long gltcrng stretch Of Sandl, before the voyaser
|, Is IA strangely beautiful scene, this range OF
golden hills living between the blue OF sea ana SKY
II /, Nags Head approaching, ana tle Htlle
island Possesses an attraction apart from It's scenery
Its very Is OF uncanny derNation suggested 10y
a certain INSCRIPTIONS aud di>erng paatime Of the
native Islander. AS the present generation mas
mild respect for the laws OF God aud man. one may
draw near without fear examining with interest the
Irregular sandy ridge along which an old horse used
to be led the story goes. with lantern tea 10
his head for the purpose Of Turing unwary ships land
Across the bay Roanoke furnishes relief 10 the daz-
7lcd eye her white banks crowned with dark and
stately mines Orchards and gardens stretch away
from the shores. and tiny village and long pier
give evidence OF life But one may we'll steer toward
Nag's Head In spite OF its air OF deSolation for
glance settles the question Of Its advantages In bath
Ing and fishing and the small town of MlAteo Is not /
attractive even In the nattcrng light of summers |
dawn.
Now laudlng along the coast Is by no means what
the pictures of columbus would lead one 10 expect
The bark does not crate itself upon the pcbly beach
" lille YOU step gracefully ashore with waving ban
ners nor are there pretty painted piers coming
cordially ont into the deep To meet YOU therefore
YOU anchor In as near possible, and take mp your
bed and walk-litcray.
During July and August on" part OF the Island Is
mite given over visitors from the Eastern towns.
and the crowded hotel, and cottages furnish to Tie
Bankers Of to-day Il fair substitute for the exciting
pxp.rienc.s ard unaw full prey Of their foreatheis.
These buildings. put up rather rudely, and with no
attempt at ornamentaton or Architectural beauty are
, bare and tenanlcss during the rest OF the season.
Their short lived usefulness too often warrants this
,pparen careless ness. the householder frequently
eturls to lind that treacherous or shifting sads