Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-02-24
"A RARE BILL.

nave kept IL IN my pocketDook as kind OF
tAlisWan. This summer, however, it came
nearly proving anything but talisman,
for it was the cause of disagrseable ad.
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 full of chat
terin9 crowds that one finds little pleasure
in them. had an afternoon off from my
business and so determined to take trip
down the bay to Bass Point and Nahant.
These resorts are only an hours ride from
Boston, and I could 20 down on the
o'clock boat and come back at9
On the water the afternoon was delight
full. Back of us was Boston. its mass of
dull, red bricks piled up like a pyramid
and blotting the glory of the sky like sill
houette. The land extended around in
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 steel gray haze. In front, the
sea was dotted with islands. All about
boats were darting here and there, ever
changing place and gliding along with fas-
chatting 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
shoulder A cripple was offering to sell
n or ot hno
and selected nickel, and in moving some
picked 1t up and put it back, and at the
same time I noticed that a 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, supposed"
"No-er-yes; think so. think shall
get off at Bass Point and walk over to Ma
liant. Splendid walk"
II was only down this way once, and that
was several years ago."
Then we talked on various subjects and
admired the picturesque marine views
which went rolling by like huge piano.
rama. Taken altogether, that trip down the
g ReX was enc of the most delightful had
feet, the gentle dip of the boat so soothing
and my companion decidedly agreeable
He possessed all the magnetism of a clever
conversational and entertained me bril-
liantly.
We got Off the boat at Bass Point, which
Is . jutting point Of rocks crowded with
those buildings common to popular summer
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, u 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.
II love to lie on the grass like this and
watch the water sparkle. he said. 1T looks
like gold"
The scene was fascinating. Far ahead
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 a string of five boats, and
farther, q streak Of black smoke showed
the whereabouts OF some steamer.
We sat there for some time and talked.
Then Brown sat up suddenly and asked me
how should like going in swimming. The
prospect of a salt water bath struck me ia
vorably, and readily assented to going. So
we descended the hill and walked along the
curving path toward Nahant.
We went to the beach and got bath
house. There happened to be only one va
can't 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 a 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 to me that he bad chill. OF course
followed Immediately in the hopeof being
able to help him. When opened the door,
he was just sinking down on the seat as
though exhausted. He shivered and shook
Is though with the ague. went to work
and soon had him warmed up by violent
rubbing with u rough towel.
We dressed hurriedly and went out to sit
on the rocks. Some people were fishing
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 glum
and silent afterward. He would gaze stead
ily out to sea as though in deep thought,
and his brow would wrinkle refectively.
Then he would change, and his motions
became jerky and irregular. At times
thought be was excited, and I attributed
his changed ways to the sudden chill.
While we were sitting in one Of the clefts,
out of reach OF the water, a dainty boat
rounded point and glided past us. Brown
quickly Jumped to his feet and said: How
would you like to take boat rider This
little bay is beautiful"
us there u boathouse about heret" III.
quired, looking about me-
"Oh, yes" he returned eagerly. Right
on the pier"
"That would be pleasant way Of watch
ing the sun set-from the water" said.
We clarnbered up the rocks and went to
the boathouse, where we got boat and
rowed out into the pretty bay. Tho sun
was setting. and the shading Of the sky was
exquisite, shading from bright lemon
through reds and puppies to misty gray.
Presently the big globe dipped lingeringly
behind the distant hills and gradually sank
down. leaving q rudy glow behind which
skinned the ripples and shot streaks of