The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-08

boy who knew Bill Jones may now be
far from the old swimming hole. bat ten
chances to one he still INDUCES ia a dip,
only now he goes to his athletic club or
to big natat0rium where a marble lined
pool takes the place of the old ''hole. -
A neatly furnished dressing room, with
chairs and plenty Of hooks takes the
place Of the greensward and the bushes,
while, instead of the accom- lished Bill
Jones, there is a swimming professor
who can do tricks that Bill never dream
ed Of
But while the country boy is still
learning to swim In the old way the city
girl in these advanced days is having
almost as much fun in the water as her
father used to have. OF course she can
never taste the delights Of the swimming
hole, but she manages to have q good
deal Of sport at the natatorium. In ev-
cry big metropolis there is from one to
a dozen places where women and girls
may learn to swim, and, after they have
become proficient, may indulge in all
sorts of aquatic antics.
Chicago is particularly well supplied
with natatoriums Perhaps the reason
for this is that the up to date young
woman who expects to spend at least
part of the summer at the seashore
looks upon swimming as q necessary
part of her education. She takes her
swimming instruction as regularly as
her bicycle lessons until she has fully
mastered both arts, and then she is
equipped for the summer campaign.
The lake waters are generally too cold
for bathing purposes, so great artificial
pools have been constructed in the heart
of the city.
Perhaps one Of the finest pools in the
city is that Of the Chicago Athletic club.
Twice a week the tank is placed at the
disposal Of the female relatives and
friends of the members. The walls
around the pool are lined with marble
and mirrors, against which the dark
green of hundreds of palms shows with
fine effect. A shimmering greenish light
comes through the glass dome and re-
fleets upon the pool OF crystal water be-
meath. Every known device and appa-
ratus which can add to the enjoyment
of the swimmers is found IN this beau
tifuI place. There are hot rooms, drying
rooms, shower baths and attendants to
answer any call There are spring
boards. diving platforms and rallied bal
comics around the pool.
Besides this there are several nata-
forums which are run as private enter
prises- Many Of the young women who
shine in Chicago society are regular at
tendants at these places, and they get to
be very expert in the water. They dive
from the highest girders and take double
somersaults from the flying rings which
hang over the water with the fearless
ness Of professionals.
The professors at these places have
reduced swimming instruction to a sci
ence. Each instructor has his own meth
DDS, but they nearly ali begin by teach
ing the pupil to go through the motions
on dry land first When the beginner is
first put into the water, belt is fastened
around the waist, and q rope, running
on trolleylike arrangement, is fas-
tened to the belt. After a lesson or two
the rope is taken OF and a cork life pre-
server substituted. When the pupil takes
her first stroke alone, hen. pride is great.
In Philadelphia there are also a num-
Der of natatOriums where well known