The times., 1899-06-02
AT THE BATHING BEACH.
scenes and Incidents of the Open
ing Day.

Ing Day.
The pent-up. unwashed feeling of a
portion of the population of the District
was given full vent yesterday. and thous-
ands disported themselves in the cool
waters of the Potomac, after cruel PEN
ance of half a year. The great event was
the opening of the bathing beach, and
while no cornerstone laying formalities
were shown, great was the moment of the
occasion.
The unwashed came and saw and
washed, and for time old Father Po-
tomac knew not what had been forced
upon him. The opening OF a score of pulp
mills was as naught TO this fierce splash
ing challenge of legions of what appeared
to be semi naked aborigines. In truth,
nearly all who entered the water were
dus1y-skinned, and of those who emerged
about one-half were white.
1t was glorious day in the life of
the local small boy He was there in
crowds and gangs, and punches, and his
bathing raiment ranged from the very
modest outfit loaned by those in charge
OF the beach to large sections of cotton,
which were ingeniously fastened together
TO evade the law. How many anxious
mothers will hunt in vain for certain ar
ticles pertaining to the raiment is not
known, but it is said that there was
wailing and gnashing of slippers in many
homes lastslight.
The fun began shortly after noon when
the uncared Tor gamins began to assemble
at the bathing place. The joys of baseball
were forgotten in the new pleasures of
swimming, and the Young Deweys' gulp-
ed water end padded side by side with
their bitter enemies, the "Swampoodle
Giants" 1t was, indeed, an aquatic love
feast. and former grievances were washed
away as easily as was the CRIME of win
ter.
BY 3 O'Clock the beach was a great mass
Of writhing, kicking figures. Even brass
band or dog fight might have passed by
or occurred without attracting one of
these. 1t was case of sublime happiness,
and the morrow was as far distant as the
present was realistically delightful. The
youngsters ranged in size from that of a
goodly rat to a young porpoise The rats
waddled uneasily in two feet of water, and
swan very nicely. while their bodies rest
ed upon the sand. The porpoises were
hardened. and while many of them excit-
ed the envy of their fellows by diving for
bottom the majority were content to
swim gracefully with the aid of one foot
which rested on the secure terra firma.
There was also present good delega-
tion of adults who were content to take
lohs sWlms lar outside the danger ne,
while the small boys yelled in derision.
The bleachers" were well filed with
spectators. and there We're many of the
feminine persuasion present to giggle and
applaud. " hile the bathers stood upon their
heads or made wondrous dives from lofty
attitudes.
1t was an ideal day for bathing Tie sun
shone hotly and the water was fine"
The gamins yelled encouragingly at one
another TO "c'mon in" while newcomers
shivered hesitatingly at the brink 1t is
fearful thing. this going in for the first
time in season. but the ordeal is soon
over and none are more encouraging in
their welcomes than those who have Just
"ducked."
The beach is much improved this sea-
son. The grade has been lessened. and the
bottom is well sanded. Fully Loco bathers
took advantage of the opening yesterday
and enjoyed swim or paddle.