The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-08-21
ROMANCE AT A SEA RESORT.
4 NEW HAvES MAN SAVED FROM
 BEING DROWNED.
Rescued by Railroad President'a Daughter-Brought to Life tn the hy- geia Hotel-Detaiis of the Accident.
 For the JOURNAL AND couRiEh.l
 Old Point Comfort. Va,

Old Point Comfort. Va,
 August i9. 1894.
 Dear Courier:-Instead of this letter you might have had my corpse. From newspaper standpoint I don't know which you would rather have had. but, happily for me. have had my own choice in the matter. Had not prom lsed to write again I might have been lying at the bottom of Hampton Roads near where the Merrimac was sunk by the Monitor; but l refused to drown 80 as to be able to keep my word with the paper. The little incident Is worth relating. This morning I was in bath Ing near three nymphs of the sea. They were attired in abbreviated bath ing suits with V-cut necks-no dia- monds. Their ages ran from eighteen to twenty, and, paradoxical as 1t may seem, these mermaids were born in- land. They were expert divers and swimmers, and from the end of a springing board could turn somer- Bault and shoot down into the water feet foremost with the ease of an aero bat. One was daughter of a con- gressman from Tennessee and the other two had Missouri railroad president for their father. All three of the girls were very pretty, one having pink cheeks (naturaD, brown hair and talk Ing blue eyes. The other two looked very much alike, and were probably twins. They were lovely brunettes with arched eyebrows and finely chis- eled faces. Of course these three pretty girls were the exposure of all eyes, es- pecially male eyes.
 The fact that was intently gazing at them led to my narrow escape at drowning. was sitting on float that was anchored out in the water over head and hands. The girl with the pink cheeks was standing beside me. when a wave rolled in and threw her off her balance. She fell against me and knocked me into the sea. immediate ly sank, and when I arose my head struck under the float. It was a hard knock and almost stunned me. One of the brunettes dove down and encircled her pretty white arm around my neck and nearly choked the life out of me. But she brought me up and with the aid of the other two girls they hauled me into the float and laid me out for a sun bath. Then they were at loss what to do. During momentary spell of consciousness I heard one of The girls say that "the poor man might aie" All was eagerness on shore.
 Of course-between you and mel hadn't any idea of dying, but they didn't know 1t.
 While my head was sore and I was full of water rather enjoyed the situ- ation. Finally, Manager Pike, of the Hygeia hotel, sent a rowboat to my as- sistance and was ruthlessly snatched away from my fair rescuers. MT. Pike insisted on me taking 8 hot water seq bath, after which I was compelled by the force of nature to eat one of his sumptuous dinners. Then-on his first invitation-I extracted Manuel Garcia from his private box and sat down to smoke and mediate how I could re- ward my bewitching rescuers.
 Two hours later I found the girls in the elegant and spacious ball room of the Hygeia hotel. I approached them. And-do you believe mel could not tell which one of the twin brunettes had saved my life. Of course all was animation and gaiety here. Social life at the Hygeia never lags. The charm of military life about the hotel is no less distinct than that of it's lovely maid ems and political guests.
 But to return to my rescuers. had a delicate task before me. TO offer these rich girls vulgar money for saving my life would have been highly improper. What else could do then than to be profuse in my thanks and say that was glad was alive? I thanked them. In the evening the girls went with me to Fortress Monroe, a grim old carica- ture of war-impregnable in appear ance, but in reality what would be the veriest eggshell to the modern men-of- war should they turn their guns upon it. The moat, so suggestive of the days of chivalry, is crossed by an ancient drawbridge, as in the days of yore; but once through the tunnel, under the easements, we found ourselves upon the beautiful parade ground, with it's skirt ing of huge live-oak trees. Under their spreading branches and in their welcome shade was gathered a gay and happy assemblage viewing the maneu- vres of the troops on their evening dress parade. Guard mounting and dress parade at Fortress Monroe are al- ways interesting to- those not familiar with the pomp and circumstance of military observance. While within the battlements of this historic spot I felt happier than I would have been at the bottom of the sea and told the girls 50. There is about the old fortress an never-ending charm. Its history, both of war and peace, its beauty, its TO- nance, all tend to fascination. This evening we idled away two hours upon the soft, green turf of the ramparts, watching the white-winged messen- gers of commerce passing to and fro upon the deep blue waters of the bay, which stretch out before the eye in beautiful panorama. The very breezes at the sea are tempered so as not to break the charm. With these three pretty girls there was about the spot an indescribable yet potent fascination, which made one loath to leave.
 Presently the shades of night fell. We returned to the hotel. Never is the Hygeia more delightful than when the long verandas are effulgent with the moonlight that streams over the wide waters. It was on this spot that I pressed the hand of one of the bru- pettes-I won't print the name.