The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
TALKING OYER THE BRIDGE.
The Big Structures Advantage as a
Place for Exercise or Rest.

The Big Structures Advantage as a
Place for Exercise or Rest.
"only picked people walk this mile" the
man on the bridge promenade remarked to
the young woman he had in charge, "philoso-
phical people who are able to overlook small
matters for the sake OF large ones. and who
count the wear and tear OF getting here as
quite reasonable toll for the privilege. Tho
folks with nerves apt to get on edge and OF
delicate physique are barred out. They can't
stand the racket, and that leaves more room,
for those who came from preference. It's
the most comfortable and secure walk to be
had anywhere In New York. You can walk
here as free from disturbance as in any coun-
try road, and as for the view, every other in
town is limited and one-sided In
comparison. Look down the harbor there,
and at all these busy boats head
ing UP stream and that regular
worlds fair Of wharves and docks, with their
foreign ships; then at the Jumped mass of
the city's roofs and domes and seeples. You
see New York in full figure from there not in
bit phases as In other walks.
I'VE regular bridge walkers get to know
each other" he went on, lifting his hat
to an elderly couple who passed. Now. that
long married and settled pair of lovers l have
seen out here every fine day since the warm
weather first set in. They walk over and
back each afternoon. but they don't go quite
to the New York entrance. The woman
told me once that she count ed her bridge walk
to make her sleep well at night and that
1t did her more good than twice the amount
Of exercise taken Just about home in the
paved and bricked-in streets. Noise? Well,
there's considerable noise here, OF course;
more sorts of squeaklngs and vibrations than
on any bridge in the world; but you
get used to 1t, and 1t makes something to
think by. Just as deaf people find the clat-
ter Of a train better medium for hearing
than normal quiet.
II enjoy the bridge walk because it's SO
restful. and yet there's 30 much stir and bus
tie all about that you don't feel SO lonely, said
young business woman to the girl walking
with her. You can let your skirts go with
q free conscience here without feeling that
they're getting ruined. There are no cross
ings to get over, and you can look about and
take In the view without feeling every mi
mute that you're going to run into somebody
or something, or they into you. We've moved
clear out to Blufton now. 1t takes me full
forty minutes on the trolley, but take time
every day that is fine for this outing because
1t does me 80 much good. Some of the girls
In the ofiice walk over in the mornings, too,
but they don't live so far. Two girls know
are running race as to the least number of
days that they will miss walking the bridge
mile this season. They made q bet about II
In May. and, so far, they're keeping close
tally, only taking the car over when there's
q storm or very heavy rain"
There are no shop windows to look into
here, nor any street-fakirs and sidewalk
shows booths and cake and candy people,
like on Broadway or the Bowery," said the
other young woman: but there's plenty 60
ing on Of another sort to take up your at
tention, and It's as cool and breezy as on the
beach"
The bridge takes good care OF It's prone
naders. II provides free ice-water for them,
and GOOD open. land-and-water sights and
views. to be seen from a vantage ground
we'll rallied in from the risk and hubbub Of
the car-tracked ravipe below. 1t is always
breezy by the big piers. No matter which
way the sun strikes there Is certain GOODNESS
at one side or the other Of the great pillars
! Some Of the most interesting loiterers ON
the bridge are the school, children boys and
girls. and the street samins. amusing them
selves with trying to locate the far off city
| spots by the roofs that shoot up nearest to
them. and airing their knowledge as to the
water-craft plying up and down and passing
| under the bridge.
THAT big lazylooking boat that the two
tugs is towing is a Spaniard." says a little
| keen-eyed observer as merchant ship Is
| headed under the bridge.
1T amt, it's from Brazil. know It by
the parrot green on the flag" a companion
! answers
TITS from Ecuador and Its got India rub
Der and herbs and ivory In It," maintains the
| other. II know the place II docks at and
| one Of the men who works there"
Then follows hot argument only abandoned
! when a passenger steamer whose home dock
is under the bridge looms up to divert inte-
| rest.
You think a boats mast ever hit this
| bridget" comes the query.
Yes. OF course. They hit often going un-
| der" Ia the answer.
well, they don't It's too high. II was
pitched high on purpose. so they wouldn't"
and meagre knowledge is made to do duty
| for much theorizing and speculation.