The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-08
A RARE Bill.

-
Confederate bill Of 800, and ever since
have kept it in my pocketbook as a kind of
talsman. This summer, however, it came
nearly proving anything bu5 a talisman
for it was the cause OF disagreeablc ;,d-
venture.
1t happened on one of those hot days in
the latter part of June, when the streets Of
Boston are like bake ovens, and the com
mon and public garden are so fall Of chat
tering crowds that one finds little pleasure
in them. / had an afternoon off from my
business and so determined to take trip
aown the bay to Bass Point and Nahant
These resorts are only an hours ride from
Boston, and I could go down on the 2
O'Clock boat and come back at g.
On the water the afternoon was delight
full. Back of US was Boston. it's mass of
dull, red bricks piled up like pyramid
and blotting the glory of the sky like a sill
houette. The land extended around in a
semicircle, and gradually sloped down on
either side until it became a mere rim of
undulating green shore, seemingly balanced
between the water and the sky and vanish
ing into a steel gray haze. In front, the
boats were darting here and there, ever
changing place and gliding along with fas-
cinating gracefulness.
The steamer I was on was fairly we'll
crowded, but not uncomfortably, and was
sitting on the upper deck taking in the
view and congratulating myself on having
escaped from the roasting city, when was
interrupted by some one tapping me on the
oh low A Ia ,fr1 III
me pamphlet. | took out my pocketbook
and selected nickel, and in moving some
bills the Confederate bill fell to the deck.
I picked it up and put it back, and at the
same time noticed that man who was
sitting next to me eyed me keenly. Natu-
rally thought he was anxious to strike up
an acquaintance, so turned to him with
the conventional pleasant day.
YES" he returned politely. Splendid"
"You are going to Nahant, l SUPPOSED"
sNo-er-yes; l think SO. think I shall
get off at Bass Point and walk over to Ma
liant. Splendid walk"
81 was only down this way once, and that
was several years ego"
Then we talked on various subjects and
admired the picturesque marine views
which went rolling by like huge piano.
Acl-lds s1ASlA cslCOS5CtASI, llelO OTIp uOWU UlG
bay was one of the most delightful I had
ever experienced, for the day was so per-
feet, the gentle dip of the boat SO soothing
and my companion decidedly agreeable.
He possessed all the magnetism of clever
conversationist and entertained me bril-
lantly.
We got off the boat at Bass Point, which
is a jutting point of rocks crowded with
1,1iJc
resorts. 1t was Saturday, and the place
was overlooking with pleasure seekers. We
found little to interest us there and we
soon started for Nahant, a small village
which lay about two miles farther along
the shore on another pointand across a CON
siderable bay.
About midway over we climbed hill
which commanded the whole country and
sea for miles. When we got to the top, we
threw ourselves on the grass to rest. We
chatted carelessly for awhile, and my COM
panion-his name was Chester Brown, we
had exchanged cards-pointed out several
little points Of interest with which was not
familiar.
I II love to lie ON the grass like this and
watch the water sparkle" he said. SIT looks
like gold"
L41C SSCliC NSS ldSClndGiUS. L DIT dQoGQ
the blue water stretched out, swaying in
long regular swells, and met the sky and
curved up in huge, blue vault. Away off
to the north was string of five boats, and
farther. streak Of black smoke showed
the whereabouts of some steamer
/ We sat there for come time and talked.
Then Brown sat up suddenly and asked me
how should like going in swimming. The
mr. f OF lo4l II
vorably, and I readily assented to going. So
we descended the hill and walked along the
curving path toward Nahant
We went to the beach and got a bath
house. There happened to be only one va
cant and we shared it together. did not
mind that, however, for was in an agree
able mood. The air was warm, and the
water seemed d bit colder than it really
was. But enjoyed the bath hugely. Sud
denly my companion rushed out of the
water and made for the bathhouse calling
back 80 me that he had chill. OF course
I followed Immediately in the hopeof being
able to help him. When lopened the door,
he was just sinking down on the seat as
though exhausted. He shivered and shook
as though with the ague. I went to work
and soon had him warmed up by violent
rubbing with rough towel
We dressed hurriedly and went out to sit
on the rocks. Some people were fishins.
there, and we watched them. By and by
we got tired and climbed down the rocks to
where the water gurgled and swashed in
and out of the weed covered clefts. If
Brown had been bright and entertaining
before our bath, he was decidedly g1am
and silent afterward. He would gaze stead
lily out to sea as though in deep thought,
and his brow would wrinkle reflectiyely.
Then he would change, and his motions
became jerl1y and irregular At times |
thought he was excited, and l attributed
his changed ways to the sudden chill
While we were sitting in one Of the clefts,
cut Of reach of the water, a dainty boat
rounded point and glided past US. Brown
quickly jumped to his feet ard said: Hoy
would you like to take boat ride? This
little bay is beautiful"
rs there q boathouse about here?" l in
guired, looking about me.
''Oh, yes, he returned eagerly Fright
On the pier"
THAT would be a pleasant way Of watch
ing the san set-from the water,'' ] said
We clambered up the rocks and went to
the boathouse, where we got boat and
rowpd ont intn tho ,erctt,- how Tho c,,n