The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-23
From the Seaside.


to make report to my numerous coostltu-
enis ;n Sumter, as politician would say
not to say my admirers. as young lady
might feel tempted to put it.
am sitting in the bceezes on the seashore,
about ten miles from Wilmington. Wrights.
vile, the Hammocks, the Sound and the Beach
ALI come within ore mile of meaniog ose
aud the same thing. Wrignt5vilie is little
village on the main land next comes the
souod-a sheet of water and marsh abont
three-four,hs of mile wide, in the middle of
which is an island, on which hot.l was
built and then burned, known as the Ham
noeks last cones the beach, that lies upon
the lip of sea, forever kissed By the waves
On the beach there are fifty or more cottages
owned by Wilmingtonians, and two hotels,
the Seaside and the Ocean View. 1t is said
that rich people frequent the former and wise
people the latter. This, however, may be
but rumor washed up from the sea.
Communication With Wilmington is easy.
In men, homes there are telephones connect
ed with the city system. The train comes
down and returns to Wilmington Eve tines
daily. The round trip fare is IS cents.
The table fare at the Ocean View where |
an sojonrnine is good. The fruit of the eea
abounds, snd lovers of fish, shrimps, crabs
aud clssm can here obtain satisfaction.
Until Tuesday, the 18th, our house was
foil to overfowiog, and room was uot to be
had for another guest !; but that storm iu1-
ported from the West Iudies sent us all flying
to Wilmington. Our party left at II o'clock,
at which time the wind was blowing st the
moderate rate of so niles per hour, With fair
promise of Guickeniog its pace before even
ing. Our little beach of white sand is not
over 200 ysrds vide, and wien the waters
from the ocean began to blow across under
our hotel to meet the waters of the souud in
our rear, we concluded ;bat standing place
was thiag to be desired. We found three
coaches fail of people of like micd with our
selves. Ga the O'Clock train, there we're
several hundred more, and and by pightfall
the beach was virtually deserted The storm
blew hardest at s O'Clock that night, and tie
wind being from the northeast, II drove the
waters up on the beach III tide three or four
feet above normal. The wave at sea were II
or Is feet high, and, as in the days when
Jonah set ont for Tsrshish, 's:ae sea wrought
and was tempestuoos." Verify, it was
spectacle to LOOK upon. The waters seemed
mad and frenzied, aud we're Aecked with white
foam as far as the eye could reach. The
marsh-or shall! cal! it the soapd was
converted into a little sea, and sheet Of
water extended from the beach to The main
land. Though 80 angered, the water did out
little damage, and or Wednesday the people
began to return 10 the beach in great num-
bers Some of us, however, keep our weather
eye on the cloude, and staad prepared for
Eight, if h:e We must. Ali the storms for
ten years past have Sighted this sect oo Of
the coast, and we have 90 reason to fear that
another will yisi: as
The surf bathing here.is all that one can
wish The water is within Fifty feet OF the
houses built by our friend, Mr. Nathan. IN
which be keeps 100 bashin snits, cut to con
form to sorts and sizes of human forms and
figures On excursion days, it sometimes
comes to pass that all these suits are in use
M,. Natbao's houses are divided in twain,
one being for men and the other for women.
Each little compartment is supplied with
fresh water shower bath for wasoing ii the
the salt water. For one dollar week: e3e
may get suit, dip and shower bath once
or twice or six times day. Just pay him
the dollar and your bathing liberties ere ua-
limited
o. Monday last our little party bad de.
lghtfol outing to Southport, formerly known
to Sumter people as Smi,hville The boat
is larger than the one we sailed in tweet.
years ago; but Capt Harper is still ct the
helm, and is as genial aod friendly as ever.
As We steamed down the river, could not
but live over the past, and hold fellowship
with those VINO formerly surmered at Smith
v.lle-Gen. Richardson, Capt. De'gar, Hsr-
man Sch werin and Bert. Brown seemed
to see again the white tents spread under the
great oaks and tobear the whoep cs tae hoys
who made up the Sumter Light Infantry Of
the o:den time God rest the spirits of the
dead, and make the hearts of the living
strong to face and fight the evils of world
aboundiog ID iniqaitiee' At bal:psst one
O'Clock, on our re u-n trip from Southport,
We care to dock 90 the river, where
train awaited 10 carry US four miles 10 Caro-
lna Beach The two bours there gave rs
ample time for dicner. At four o'clock, the
boat had returced for US, and ct SIS we were
in Wilmington. After making round or
two OF the city electric railway, we hauled
up at the Sea Coast Railroad depot, and were
soon on the beach again. The round-trip
ticket to Southport, with stop:over privilege
at Carolina Beach. is only IS cents. Before
our return home, ne purpose to take the trip
agaiu, and 80 spend day on the Cape Fear.
I should be happy to have in the party some
of the elect ooes from Sumter who bivouatk-
ed at Smi,bville during TO ard 80. Sergt.
Rbame aud Jas Vim were my teos-ma.es
10 that lcng gone experience. Maybe re-
turn to the scenes of other days might help
them now to tide over the evils of these lat
ter days and give them new lease on life.
There are but three Sumter citizens on the
beach now, as far as know. Sol Rytteo-
berg was at the Seaside Hotel, but have
no, seen him for some days Possibly the
storm blew bis delicate outline homeward
Misses Minnie end Roaa Barnett were with us
until Monday. We parted after the South
por, trip, and they have returned to Sumter.
We found their company pleasant, and sought
to prevail upon them 10 tarry longer, but
when women make u9 their minds to do
thing, We poor men may as we'll submit with
grace Our arguments only serve to reveal
our folly and weakness.
Sunday is a great day on The beach. call
the world comes down on Sunday. TIE
e,,f 10 ol;ea With hs the-. and sho hoor