Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-09-14
JERSEY WASH DAY.


A Saltwater Festival ON tho
Coast at Sea 0irt.
Il Il Held the Second Saturday In August
and smacks Pleasantly Of Old-rims
Rustic Rsvslsy-sens Dren
sights snA Tnesdssta
Mrs. Burton Harrison, In an article
ON american Rural Festivals" In the
Century, writes ~ follows:
OF those which I have seen, and
those Of which have been able TO
gather accounts. tho ono smacking
most pleasantly Of old-time rustic rev.
elry, and therefore 10 DO offered honor
able precedence In thiS recital, Ia the
''Salt Water Day, "or "Wssh Day" ofthe
New Jersey farmers, that sinee time
out of mind has been celebrated on the
second Saturday In August, upon the
coast Ut Sea Girt.
To make this jersey holiday, as-
semble o thousand back-country We
hicies, Of all sorts, from the hooded
farm wagon, which has not greatly
altered It's pattern for centuries, to the
rude blackboard and the pert sulky. The
horses are withdrawn from shafts or
pole TO be tethered behind the wagons
or piclscted at . little distance In the
rear. Around the impromptu camp
gather people enough TO blaclsen mile
Of the sandy shore--people who for
months have been looking forward to
the occasion us the chief holiday Of the
year. Cedar chest and camphor trunk
and lowered bandbox have been called
upon TO disgorge their treasures; but
there Is no other attempt Mt costuming
than the assumption Of mere Sunday
best. An odd feature OF the great con-
course Is the seriousness with which IL
takes its pleasure. A solemn, even
strained, expression Of determination to
revel or die sits upon the majority Of
faces. During the embarrassing Of the
wagons, which have been arriving upon
the scene since early dawn-camping
over night being not infrequent-the
good wives unpack their luncheon bas-
kets, take tally Of their pies, and, II
need be, while away the time by me-
thodically administering punishment
Of the good old-fashioned variety to
their impatient youngsters
Around the outskirts Of the concourse
are seen the booths and rostrums Of the
falsirs attracted from New York by the
promise OF rich harvest from the farm
ers' wallets. There are also rife-range,
merry -go-round, and doll target Mt
which balls IRE thrown for prizes.
Many another cheap diversion offers
itself during the explorations Of the
farmer and his wife and clamoring
progeny, and more than one pinch OF
dire experience falls TO the lot Of the
paying member of the party. The nasal
cries Of the Yankee Autolycus offering
his inkles, caddises and lawns are con-
tinually heard above the swelling muir
murs Of Jersey joviality.
Fairing over, there Is general re-
treat TO the tent drcssing-rooms, i'm
proviscd with shawls ind canvas cur
tains In connection with the vehicles
The great annual bath Of the pilgrims
Is next In order, and down to the shin.
ing reach Of ocean, where the crisping
pillows hurry in, presently troop the
queerest professions of bathers ever
seen ont Of caricature. Many OF the
men and boys, disdaining change of
dress, go into the water In their ordi.
nary clothes, summing themselves after
ward In the hot sand until toasted dry
again. Others put ON shirts from which
sleeves have been removed. and trousers
cut Off at the knee. The bathing OUTFIT
Of the women reveals droll misecllanics
Of bygone fashion in cub and texture,
some Of the more coy among the ma
irons including pantalets, sunbonne;s
and gloves. With sober mirth, demure
smiles, suppressed cries Of excitement.
the phalanx moves into the surf, taking
hands to jump discrcctly up and down
in long lines. safe within the danger
line. To the great number this ven
ture into the sea Is actually no more
than an annual experience.
After the bath, noontiine turns all
thoughts dinnerward, and the camp
settles down into one vast picnic. Pies
OF all kinds suggest the litany-chant-
ed without taking breath-of the fem
mime hotel waiter in the ear OF the
summer b0arder: "Applc-pie, mince-
pie, custard pie, lemon pie, squash pie
and pieplant pie" Doughnuts called
"nuts" in the vernacular), cheese In
liberal wedges, ham sandwiches, hard
boiled eggs. and pickles, supply the
favorite menu; and lemonade and root
beer-perchance n stronger beverage
arc produced in.bottles each confess
ing by label to different intention in
It's earlier career.
Then, while the summer sun slants in
the cloudless heaven, the merriment
goes on to its climax, more dips In the
ocean are taken, more money changes
hands, more solid food Is consumed, till
ut last the shades Of evening close upon
the scene, and general 'hitching up
Of teams betokens the end Of Salt Wa
ter day ut Sea Grit.