The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-14

side to turn the water when the plunge is
made. There are four s5dCS, Eight peo-
pie make load. A sCeersman i'll white
suit crouches in the stern.
The boat is supposed to ride better if
the heavy people are put in the rear seats,
but this is an imposition on the heavy
people. The two in the front seat get
more of the motion aud are thrown higher
into the air, for when the boat comes
down into the lake after its last jump the
bow is often three or four feet above the
water while the stern appears TO be sub
merged by the foaming waves. No one
gets wet, however, and the passengers
are not frightened. The people crowded
along the banks are the only ones who
are apprehensive.
just as the boat plunges into the water
and lifts into the air again for long for
ward drive it seems to the spectators that
it may turn somersault and come down
bottom side up. But it never does, and
after a man watches three or four
shoots he has astrong juvenile desire
to ride up to the top and try it.
The sensations are not easily described,
as the entire trip of 700 feet is acco m.
| plished in something over ten seconds.
| You jump into the boat in a hurry and
| laugh nervously at the shiny slope ahead,
which now seems about a mile long. Some
one says; Take or your hat" You
do so.
Another one says: "Hold on to some.
thing" Then you grasp total stranger,
a seat or anything else within reach.
"All ready2"
Yes"
The boat is slowly tipped forward It
starts with the slowest and most gentle
glide just for moment, and then it drops
There is a confused sensation of flying
lights, band music and every one shout
ing-you among the others.
The CLASSY lake lies straight ahead, and
there comes fleeting desire to be some
where else, momentary fear that per
haps the old thing will get off the track
or dive straight to the bottom of the lake
Then the boat strikes the water with a
terrific churning and smashing sound
| and you catch your breath.
The next moment you have the sensa-
ton of flying, for the boat has lifted itself
and is going ahead, sailing through at.
mosphere.
Boom
Once more it strikes the water, jolting
you of your seat and whirling the spray
high into the air
The people on the banks whiz by, fol-
the speed is still terrific, and each jump
of the boat is crazy forward leap.
1t quiets down after two or three of
these spasmodic efforts and glides for
ward to the landing
The artificial lake is rolling with big
waves as you step out, feeling like man
who has fallen off a 20 story building and
lighted in a feather bed.
No sooner have you landed than an
other boat makes dark streak down the
incline and comes galloping the length of
the lake, with eight passengers bowling
like demons, all the spectators cheering
and laughing out Of sheer sympathy.
AS pastime it might not do for conva-
lescents, but it is fun enough for those
who can endure it. Children take to it
naturally, and very large part of the
crowd on the opening day was made up of
young and evidently unmarried couples.
The girl must hold on TO somebody.
A dignified old man with long gray
coat and silk hat stepped into one of the
boats and was calmly waiting for the
start, when one of the attendants said
II think you'd better hold on, sir
The old man rebuked him with look
and said nothing He was very dignified,
and IL was apparent that he was taking
the ride just 10 demonstrate that
some one could go down the chute with
out becoming excited and acting like a
lunatic.
We're about to start said the atten-
dant. The dignifed gentleman still sat
with folded arms.
IltTG goes Sdlu bLb attendant, ana
so the boat leaped on its course. The old
gentleman careened backward on two
women and his heels went up into the air
BY the time he had gathered himself up
the boat was at the landing He was
gasping for breath and wildly looking for
his hat.
The attendants reassure the patrons by
telling them the lake is only four feet
deep, with a good, smooth bottom for
walking out. One Of the first women pas
sengers became so interested when the
boat began skipping across the water that
she threw overheard a purse containing
s., and steersman had to wade out and
get IL.
When the twelve boats are in use one
can be sent away every thirty seconds
or course the managers are expecting
TO make lots of money. They are playing
for society, for the grave announcement
has been made that the Prince Of Wales
often shot the chutes" last summer
The guests at the private opening included
hundreds of the best-known people on
south side. The chute" as a now sum
mer diversion, seemed 70 impress them.
Maud-Do you know young Golightly n aw-
tully richf Why, they say he has money %
burn.
clara-Has hef on how I wish he'd take me
for match Boston beacon.
Rev Nathaniel carter. Virginian. Is
years old who Has ordained 10 The Lufbefan
ministry The other daT in Baltimore. n the
nr.. e0iQfe elefgymen u That denomination