The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-09-12
AN ADVENTURE
ON THE COAST.
Did He Mistake Confederate Bill
For Current Money!

IS Did He Mistake a Confederate Bill 3
| & For Current Money! q
8s>>sSSSSsSSSS>cS>>SSSsSSs
Three or four years ago | was given
an old Confederate bill of 800, and
ever since have kept it in my pocket
book as kind of talisman. This sum-
mer, however, it came nearly proving
anything but talisman, for it was the
cause of disagreeable adventure.
1t happened on one of those hot days
In the latter part of June when the
streets Of Boston are like bake ovens
and the Common and public gar
den are SO full of chattering crowds
that one finds little pleasure in them.
| had an afternoon off from my busi-
ness and so determined to take trip
down the bay to Bass Point and Ma
hant. These resorts are only an hours
ride from Boston, and could go down
on the o'clock boat and come back
at g.
The steamer l was on was fairly
well crowded, but not uncomfortably,
and | was sitting on the upper deck,
taking in the view and congratulating
myself on having escaped from the
roasting city. when l was interrupted
by some one tapping me on the shout
der. A cripple was Offering to sell me
a pamphlet. l took out my pocketbook
| al mr. Tod mir IN vir7<R
some bills the Confederate bill fell to
the deck. picked it up and put it
back, and at the same time noticed
that man who was sitting next to me
eyed me keenly. Naturally | thought he
was anxious to strike up an acquaint-
ance, SO turned to him with the con-
ventional pleasant day."
"Yes," he returned politely. "Splen-
did"
you are going to Nahant, l sup
poser
"No-er-yes; think so. / think
shall get off at Bass Point and walk
over to Nahant. Splendid walk
Then we talked on various subjects
and admired the picturesque marine
views which went rolling by like a
huge panorama. Taken altogether
that trip down the bay was one of the
most delightful had ever experienced
for the day was so perfect, the gentle
dip of the boat so soothing and my
companion decidedly agreeable. He
possessed all the magnetism of clever
cOnversationalist and entertained me
brilliantly.
We got off the boat at Bass Point
which is jutting point of rocks crowd
ed with those buildings common to
popular summer resorts. 1t was Sat
urday. and the place was overlooking
with pleasure seekers. We found little
to interest us there, and we soon start
ed for Nahant, a small village which
lay about two miles farther along the
shore on another point and across a
considerable bay.
About midway over we climbed hill
which commanded the whole country
and sea for miles. When we got to the
top, we threw ourselves on the grass
to rest We chatted carelessly for
awhile, and my companion-his name
was Chester Brown, we had exchanged
cards-pointed out several little points
of interest with which l was not ia
miliar.
81 love to lie on the grass like this
and watch the water sparkle" he said.
1T looks like gold"
We sat there for some time and talk
ed. Then Brown sat up suddenly and
asked me how l should like going in
swimming. The prospect of salt wa
ter bath struck me favorably, and !
readily assented. So we descended
the hill and walked along the curving
path toward Nahant.
We went to the beach and got a
bathhouse. There happened to be only
one vacant and we shared it together.
/ did not mind that. however, for
was in an agreeable mood. The air
was warm, and the water seemed bit
colder than it really was. But l en-
| joyed the bath hugely. Suddenly my
companion rushed out of the water
and made for the hathhouse, calling
back to me that he had a chill. OF
course followed Immediately in the
| hope of being able to help him. When
| opened the door, be was just sinking
down on the seat as though with the
ague l went to work and soon had
him warmed up by violent rubbing
with a rough towel.
We dressed hurriedly and went oui
to sit on the rocks. Some people were
fishing there, and we watched them
By and by we got tired and climbed
down the rocks to where the water
gurgled and swashed in and out of the
weed covered clefts If Brown had
been bright and entertaining before
our bath, he was decidedly glum and
silent afterward He would gaze stead
lily out to sea as though in deer
thought. and his brow would wrinkle
retiectively. Then he would change
lind his motions became jerky and ir
regular. At times | thought he was
excited, and | attributed his changed
ways to the sudden chill.
While we were sitting in one of the
|
dainty boat rounded a point and Gid
ed past u.s. Brown quickly jumped tt
his feet an( said: How would you like
to take boat ride? This little bay II
beautiful"
as there n boathouse about hereY p
l inquired, looking about me.
"Oh. yes" he returned eagerly.
Right on the pier"
''That would be a pleasant way of
watching the sun set-from the water, y
l said.
We clambered up the rocks and went
to the boathouse, where we got boat
and rowed out into the pretty bay. The
sun was setting, and the shading OF
the sky was exquisite, shading from a
bright lemon through reds and puppies
to a misty gray. Presently the big
globe dipped lingeringly behind the dis
tant hills and gradually sank down
leaving ruddy glow behind which
skinned the ripples and shot streaks
of gold through some black, rolling
clouds which were poking their omi
nous tops above the horizon.
l was rowing, and Brown sat in the
bow He said he preferred the bow. II
did not mind the added difficulty OF
rowing Sitting that way we could
both see the sunset For a long time
we said nothing / rowed on half lazi
ly. When the sun had disappeared,
turned to Brown with a smile. "Art
you enjoying yourselff' asked.
ITS dreamy" he returned and look
ed out to sea. Then he added quickly
'Pull way out. Let's row far out tc
sea and come back by moonlight. The
moon rises early" l was more thar
nlaacad for a moonlight ride WAS more