Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-05
"A RARE BILL.

CoHitueratO Dill OF SI0J, and ever since
have kept it in my pocketbook as kind Of
talisman. This summer, however, it came
nearly proving anything but a talisman,
for it was the cause of disagreeable ad-
ventur4.
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
tering crowds that one finds little pleasure
In them. l 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 / could go down on the .
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 Il pyramid
| and blotting the glory of the sky like sill
| houette. The land extended around in a
| semicircle, and gradually sloped down on
either side until it became 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-
| cinating gracefulness.
The steamer / was on was fairly well
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
me pamphlet. l took out my pocketbook
| and selected n nickel, and in moving some
| bills tho Confederate bill fell to the deck.
picked it up and put it back, and at the
same time l noticed that man who was
| sitting next to me eyed me keenly. Natu-
rally | thought he was anxious to strike up
| an acquaintance, SO l turned to him with
the conventional pleasant day"
| Yes" he returned politely. Splendid"
"You are going to Nahant, suppose?"
| "No-er-yes; l think so. / think shall
get off at Bass Point and walk over to Ma
hant. Splendid walk"
II was only down this way once, and that
was several years ago"
Then VIC talked on various subjects and
admired the picturesque marine views
which went rolling by like huge pano-
rama Taken altogether, that trip down the
bay was one of the most delightful / had
ever experienced, for the day was SO per-
feet. the gentle dip Of the boat so soothing
and my compeaionf decidedly agreeable.
He possessed all the magnetism of a clever
| conyersationst 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, a small village
which lay about two miles farther along
the shore on another pointand acrossa 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-ponted 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 of
to the north was string of five boats, and
farther a 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
vorabIy, and readily assented to going. Sc
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
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 bit colder than it reail J
was. But enjoyed the bath hugely. Sud
denly my companion rushed out OF the
water and made for the bathhouse, calling
hack to me that he had a chill. OF course
| followed Immediately in the hope of being
able to help him. When opened the door,
he was lust sinking down on the seat as
though exhausted He shivered and shook
as though with the ague. l went TO work
and soon had him warmed up by violent
rubbing with a rough towel.
We dressed hurriedly and went out to SIT
on the rocks. Some people were fishing
there. ant4 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. II
Brown had been bright and entertaining
before our bath, he was decidedly GUM
and silent afterward. He would gaze stead
liz out TO sea as though in deep thought
/ and his brow would wrinkle reflectively.
Then he would change, and his motions
became jerry and irregular. At times
thought he was excited, and attributed
his changed ways to the sudden chill.
While we were sitting in one OF the ciefts
mt Of reach OF the water, a dainty boat
rounded a point and glided past us, Brown
i. quickly jumped to his feet and said: "now
, would YOU like to take boat rider Ths
Ettle bay is beautiful"
us there boa;house about heres in
} ouirrd, looking about me.
. "oh, yes" he returned eagerly. Right
THAT would be a pleasant way OF watch
ing the sun set-from the water" ! sad.
we clambered up the rocks and went 9
the boathouse, where we got boat ano
rowed out into the pretty bay. Inc SUI
t was setting, and the shading OF the SKY wa
, s-..,;s;te shading from a bright lemon