Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-10
THE WHITE SULPHUR.
FILLING UP OF DINING AND nALL-
ROOMS.
The PHILOSOPHY OF BATHING.
Doesn't Approve of the New
Methods-sf,cv. DIR. disqualification
of His Many Friends-Richmond
Arrivals-Other Guests.
(correspondence of the plspatch.,


WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. VA,
July Sit is more cheerful to watch the
new year in than the old year out at the
White Sulphur, though some visitors have
said they like September better than July.
Inc gradual filling OF the dining-room
and ballroom is far more interesting than
the gradual waning Of the crowd. "The
banquet hall deserted" has In it linger-
ing pang Of regret for those whom we
nave met and loved and lost, whilst the
oaiiy-increasing numbers have possibili-
tics which we enjoy of reunion with old
friends or the accession OF new ones.
one OF the pleasant features is the GER
tainty of finding here these faithful old
servants who cling to the fortunes of the
familiar ground, where they have watch
ed more than two generations OF their
people" dance and frt and bold con-
verse with loving pride and loyalty
over in the lighthouses and in the swim
ming-pool the virtues of the waters are
tested by hundreds every year, and a
glow Of health and beautiful cleanliness
distinguishes the newly bathed, apart from
the medicinal benefits. Here we make
friends with Aunt Sophy," who comes
over the hill every morning from her snug
cottage. with it's window boxes OF portu-
lacca and sweet alyssum, in the freshest
or white sun-bonnets, and who has
store OF anecdotes 10 tell OF the genera
tons of bathers whom she has served.
Aunt Sophy" is not progressive in her
methods. Just as she bathed her victims
in steaming sulphurous water thirty-odd
years ago. and covering them with dou-
BILE blankets, left them to collapse-so
would she battle them now.
n patient who had been parboiled a
few days ago, upon making the reasona-
bic demand that the cold-water spout
might now be turned on, was answered
in great disgust: you blieve in dis new
tangled way dat young DR.. Mcclure start
here, bilin' you in sulphur water an den
freezin you fore you git out? Why, dere
amt no philosophy in 1t no way you look
at time and my husban' and DR.. Moor
man know'd all bout desc baths fore dat
young doctor was ever thought of-an
We knows dat amt right. Ny ole man,
he says to me, 'Sophy, let de young doc
tor an de ole doctor, too, for dat matter
tell you so all day long; dere amt no
philosophy in bilin' YOU in sulphur an
freezin' you dc mex minute-but let 'em
roomatics an ever dey had befo'."
And so she rubs and pounds her philo-
sophical deductions along with her blood
circulating processes, into the willing, but
long suffering, subjects, until they cry:
Hold, hold, enough But who will take
the place Of Aunt Sophy," 10 those who
have so long received the benefits of her
faithful mnistrations!
The secret OF the perfect polish OF the
ballroom floor is frequently solicited OF
the accomplished old attendant whose
pride is shat you can almost see your
face in its CLASSY surface. he declines to
tell TO strangers anything about It's mys-
teries, but 10 the old White Sulphur peo-
pie he will say: "'Tis de feet dat has
danced on it dat has give 1t dat shine
so that. by the simple old servants UNI
consciously eloquent declaration, each
pair of daintily-slippered feet that in over
fifty years has twinkled on the ballroom
floor has borne away the secret OF Its
polished surface.