Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-22
FUN AT CAPE MAY "PoINT"
Bathing and Other Pleasures Enjoyed by
10 .
Visitors.
bicycling ON the sannldh.rsnathins Suit.
That Become More and More Asbre-
viated-Mr. Harri.oH'. Cottage.
orrespondence Of The Eyen,ncl star.

O&A~ - y
1.-THE Point is not so gay and festive as
"Cape May City," as they are called here
to distinguish them, but for a quiet, restful
lodging, with just enough attractions TO
keep the drowsy from going to sleep more
than once a day, or to do service as a
scare-crow to ennui, no place along the
coast is more desirable or delightful one
can see enough to keep on the go. or can
be as lazy and good for nothing as ne
pleases. The charms and chances for bath
ing are two fold-when the surf runs TOO
high from the ocean side milder water can
be found on the bay side, good and safe
beach running for miles either way. But
not being so extensively populated or Vlsit-
ed as Cape May proper the bathefs are not
SO many or dreSSy, but happily for the en-
tertainment of gaping lookers-on there are
enough pretty and rakish costumes to at
tract close attention, and the more roilick-
some of the fair bathers can kick their
heels Just as high out of the water and
tumble upside down over the splashing
waves with as much abandon as at other
places. 1t goes without saying that about
everybody takes in the bathing. no matter
what may have been their fortune In the
lottery of natures mold, and that costumes,
probably like the little stone, are worn
away year by year and become scantler
by the constant dripping Of the water.
There are only three large hotels here,
but many pretty villas and cottages, the
most of which are directly on, or adjacent
to the beach, all Of them. as rule, having
their own bath houses, and bathing Is in
dulged in sans ceremony at any hour when
suitable, 50 it is common to see men, wo-
men and children passing to and fro along
the streets almost any time in bathing
suits, no matter how exceedingly steno-
graphic in abbreviation.
Eating Away the Shore.
Similar to other places along the coast.
the sea is slowly but undoubtedly wiping
away the shore and eating it's way inland.
Many cottages have to be removed to
places of safety. 1t will not be long be-
fore the little church, est. Peters by the
Sea-" will have to be taken from its pres
ent delightful and picturesque location, for
at high tide now services are often con-
Quoted while the spray from the ocean is
splashing against its walls and foaming
beneath it's floor. Nothing could be more
conducive to the thoughtful consideration
of the service and sermon than to sit with
listening ear and eyes gazing through the
windows upon the always impressive vast
ness and majesty of the sea.
This little church is located between the
cottages of ex-President Harrison and Mr..
Wanamaler, which are about half a mile
apart. The former is vacant this year
and placarded 'for sale" The latter is
occupied by Mrs Fry of Philadelphia.
sister to Mr.. Wanamaker, who is quietly
entertaining a few friends. The beach is
slowly creeping toward the Harrison cot
tage, and will soon need better protection
than the rows of piles standing just be-
yond the high water line, like regiment
of soldiers on dress parade Mr. Wanna
maker had a breastwork or barricade
erected in front of his cottage, and out
lined it with heavy lumber, twelve to if
teen feet in height, and yet at high tide
the angry waves, cornered by projecting
jetty at the eastern end, splash and churn
with fury that throws the foaming spray
h. oy,1 1rsN fof Ia
gate In front of the door, 1t is pastime
of the Pointers to gather and watch the
turbulent water dash against this barri-
cade. 1t Is claimed, however. that q sys-
at intervals around the point, will have
the effect of stopping the encroachments
of the sea by creating deposits of sand.
Seaside Homes.
There are several institutions here
worthy Of mention. to say nothing of the
light house and Hfe-saving station. Among
them is the Seaside Home" for INDECENT
women and children, to which men are
sometimes admitted when with their fami-
lies. 1t is an outgrowth of the Presby
terrain. orphanage of Philadelphia, founded
by and conducted under the auspices Of a
number of wealthy Philadelphians. 1t pro-
vides for two weeks stay at " a week
for the men, $S.25 for women and 81 to 50
for children. Last week there were 2S5
patrons, sixty of whom were children. 1t
Is located on the beach on the bayside,
and there Is scarcely an hour In the day
when some OF the poor inmates are not
reveling in the waves, seemingly, without
care for once free from the tolls of
desperate struggle for life. The building
is large and commodious, with vide YER
andas on all sides and fine pavilion out
nearly to the waters edge The rooms
are large and airy and unusually we'll
furnished. The fare is plentiful and whole
'some every floor and all the rooms are
carpeted or laid with nice, clean mating.
The lady managers take turns about of
two weeks, leaving homes Of affiuence in
Philadelphia or some more pretentious
summer resort to come and overlook
things, stopping in the house. 1t is sup
ported by subscription, and is a model in
stitution of charity.
Similar to this is the Lankenau Home,
large cottage. at which the nurses and
sisters of German hospitals and Lutheran
homes in Philadelphia are given two
weeks holiday. They look the very soul of
happiness and goodness In their neat uni
forms-the nurses in blue frocks and white
caps and aprons and the sisters in black
and white. Mrs. Lankeuau was a Drexel,
and the home is memorial to her memory
founded and supported by her husband. 1t
is needless to say that every appointment
for comfort is modern and complete.
Camp Meeting.
Cape May Point is. in way, a miniature
Ocean Grove, for 1t Is the location of the
camp ground of the United Brethren in
Christ, the annual camp meeting of which
begins on the 22d instant. 1t is a sect
which in some respects resembles the Meth
odists, having their bishops, presiding
elders, station preachers class meetings,
love feasts, and, as one said, shouting
good time generally" They will live in
tents while here, pitched on the sand;
board in a general dining room, hold meet
ings under a shed, and use the ocean as
lavatory. They will no doubt have good
time, and attract many spectators
Away from here Cape May Point has the
reputation of owning the largest mos
qutoes in New Jersey. 1t must be myth,
or else they have gone on excursions to
more inviting fields and pastures green.
1t is said, though. that two old residenters
recently caught a couple Of lovers on a
tandem in one Of the side streets Of Cape
May, and, after pumping the life out of
them and leaving them looking like two
cadave-ous consumptives, mounted the
tandem and rode away. At any rate, there
are not more than home guard left here.
The beach, when the tide is out, affords
fine riding for bicycles, and one often sees
riders travelling along in their bathing
suits, which, beyond doubt, secures to them
the fullest benefits to be derived from the
salt sea air. -
Cape May Point people claim that this is
the only place along the coast where the
sun rises and sets over water. 1 do not
To ha rry1,o