The herald., 1895-01-31
SURE nArnrNa IN wINrns.
A Halo Ola Captain VINO Dip. ;. Toy

n hhIo Old Captnfn VINO Dips - 80
Wator Three Ttmas u Week.
Sea bathing as a winter pastime has some-
thing OF frosty sound, even in the warm car
peted bath rooms If man talks about colo
plunge in the morning, when the thermome-
ter hoyers around zero, he is looked upon Win
awe as phenomenal shock resister and man
OF uncommon courage. What then must DC
thought OF the man or woman who, totally
disregarding the icy winds of winter on bleak
Jersey coast, VIII dip pleasantly every day in
the briny deep and not shiver at all?
Ihere are several winter bathers in Asbury
PARK. Two or three take only an occasional
dlp, but Captain Abram Baker, a wealthy resi-
dent OF the Park who lives in a handsome cot
tage at the corner of Fourth and Grand ave-
nues, goes in very often. The captain is
character, with physique to match. There
mes never been time within the past II years
that Captain Baker was not the most observed
man in Asbury Park.
In the summer months his tall, powerful
frame looms up like a leyiathan on the board
walk. He invariably appears light blue
outing shirt pair OF linen trousers, and very
eldom-only on extremely cold days-with an
overcoat. II perchsnce he wears an overcoat,
the undereoat is left off. Captain Baker is 10
years OF age, and was one OF the old '49ers. He
is strong and robust and walks with soldierly
bearing.
The captain believes that only the men who
DON'T smoke or chew are able to stand winter
surf bathing. He says he bathes about 25 times
IN November and about dozen times in De-
cember, ana regularly from April to the mid
die OF January, and would keep it up all winter
put Tor the fact that Senator Bradleys bathing
houses are. just a little too icy for use. The
captain battles every day from April LIST to
September 18th. He goes in twice day, re-
maining in not over 10 minutes at time He
claims that to battle longer than thai time is
injurious.
People think it is good for them to battle
over half an hour at time" says the captain,
"but they are not much benefited by it. They
make big mistake in doing this, and they
lose considerable strength instead OF gaining
it,"
The captain maintains that if the people
after their daily bath would lie in the sand,
out OF the sun, for about half an hour. they
would feel much better, and would improve
their health to a great extent. He does not go
into the icy waters as much, he says, as he
would had he commenced to battle some 80
years ago, claiming that in that case he could
stand the winter baths longer and could take
a dip in Old Neptune in the coolest days OF the
winter.
In going into the water he always wears the
regulation bathing suit, and enters the water
ot Dhlleys seventh avenue DhIuluB
grounds Generally the captain is accom-
panied by two elderly ladies, who arc stopping
here. They are Misses Armstrong and Milliken,
whose modesty forbade them TO tell me of their
winter baths. They requested that nothing be
said regarding their dips in the icy waters,
saying that they nave erased il but few days
ago.
Captain Baker says it is just as pleasant to go
bathing in the winter as In the summer. The
air, he says, is little cooler. but then one does
not mind that after taking u dip now and then.
once in the water, he claims that it is just as
tame to him as in the summer, but says the
trouble comes in when he finishes his 10 min
utes' bath and comes up out OF the water into
the cold winds and air. and while he is dress
ing little walk after this, and he is again
in fine spirits and says he could stand another
bath, but as his own rules forbid his taking
but from two to three dips week in this sort
OF weather, he waits until his time for another
bath comes.
The captain claims that not being a smoker
or ehewer helps him to II great extent, as
tobacco destroys animal heat and nerve power
lie never oycroAds his stomach and takes
plenty OF outdoor exercise The captain never
frets or worries He takes life easy and never
allows any worriment to enter his mind, claim
ing that no one would fret if in good health.
lie ay lids all oScilements possible, for they
always acoo ding to his doctrine, lower the
strength.
al people would do like this" says the cap
tain, they could battle as well as do, and to-
day feel though | am no more than 40
years old in my feelings and reality."-New
Yok Herald.