The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-11-09
GONEY ISLAND.
As Seen by a Tar Heel Boy.
TIE VARIOUS SIGHTS AND
SCENES OF A DAY.

Written For The Comnonwealth.
Volumes have been written about
Coney Island, bat to get definite idea
OF it one must visit and see for him
self.
AS place of amusement it stai1ds
alone, and is easily the most popular
resort in the world. Travel where
you may, far or near, you will find but
one Coney Island.
It Is most wicked place hence Its
popdlz=ity. Thoas who patronize the
evil shows and gambling resorts ate
more responsible TOR thu wickedness.
however. than the men who run them.
Those men are quick to see what the
lower class wants and turn their knowl-
edge into gold by catering to the baser
passions of the mob.
Nine-tenths of the shows are "fakes"
pure and eimple. But, as the old adage
goes call fools are not dead yet" and
the man who gets up the biggest fraud
makes the most money It looks as il
tie people go there to get "buncoed"
and are rather disappointed if they
don't. This is especially true OF the
rural visitor, who wants to 60 home
and tell all about his marvellous ex-
periences and hair breadth escapes.
The native New Yorker so admires the
audacity of the knaves who work the
various games that he looSs pleasant
and says nothing, If he gets feeced.
The place has some redeeming quail
ties, however 1t is not totally bad, as
some think.
"The island" is seen at its best (or
worsD on Saturday or Sunday evening
during summer.
The stranger is surprised most OF all
By the terrific noises, the size OF the
crowds, and the number OF leather
lunged "barkers' at every turn. The
streets are lined with stands where they
sell every eatab!e Imaginable, such rs
fish, oysters, ta,nales and frankfurters,
cooked while you wait and piping hot.
Let me caution you against the last
| named article, in case you should ever
visit Coney. They look tempting, I
know, but leave them alone They are
supposed to be sausages, and are made
from the choicest cuts OF the noble
horse, and I have even heard it whisp-
cred that dogs m sat form goodly por
ton of their makeup.
The various forms Of amusement are
innumerable /; can only mention few
of the best ones.
| First OF all is the "chutes," the Mec-
cassof.. all country people, the pride of the
island. "Chutes" is only another name
for steep incline down which boat
dashes at break-nock pace into pool
OF water below. While the boat is in
motion the girls all hold their breath
and even forget to scream, so great is
the speed, but they make up for lost
time while the boat is being rowed
ashore by the sailor in charge.
After the "chutes" comes the to-
boggan, q rather lively affair. The
passengers seat themselve in a small
car and are drawn by cable to the top
OF spiral structure forty feet high.
and turned loose. The car starts down
with lightnlng-like rapidity, taking
a sudden drop every lap, and always
gaining momentum. When it finally
reaches the ground the passengers are
dazed and "see things"
Next in order is the tower, a skele
ton steel structure three hundred fee
high, which commands magnificent
view of the surrounding laud and water
From this dizzy height the scene
at night is one long to bo remembered
The myralds of electric lights in al
directions make picture from fairy
land. The streets below are an ever
changing kaleidoscope and the lons
white line of surf breaking upon the
shore adds grandeur to the scene.
| Side by side with the tower Is tht
Ferris wheel, looking rather tame ir
comparison with its lofty rival. 1t ma
one feature though that is anything
but tame-the ''1agtime" steps leading
to the ticket Office They are two set
OF steps side by side, bobbing up ant
down like a..piston-rod..and playing see
, saw with untlrlng energy. 1t is ex
tremely amusing to watch the fat peo
pie trying to climb them. They brave
ly start up, and alter getting tirml.
planted On the first step begin to per
form series of acro5atic "stunts" tha
would make even the rubber man jeal
ous They hold to the railing like
drowning man and reach the top rex
: in tt e lace and out Of breath afte
zen minutes Of terrific exertion.
PERRY DAVIS PAIN-KILLER.-it
valrabie properties as speedy cur