Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-08-26
II II II
OUR ADVENTURE
ON THE COAST.
Did lie Mistake a COnfeder-
ate Bill for Current
Money.

/ " 90 - athA oANt sttt
bill of SEQ, and ever since |
have kept it in my pocketbook
as Il kind of talisman. This
summer. however, it came
nearly proving anthing but
talisman, for il was the cause
of a disagreeab!e 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 garden are
SO full of chattering crowds
that one finds little pleasure in
them. | had an afternoon off
from my business and SO de
termined to take a 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 o.
The steamer | was on was
fairly well crowded. but not
uncomfortably, and | was sit
ting on the upper deck, taking
i'm the view and concentrating
myself on having escaped from
the roasting city. when | was
interrupted by some one tap
ping me on the shoulder. 4
cripple was offering to sell me
a pamphlet. | took out my
pocketbook and selected
nickel, and in moving some
bills the Confederate bill fell to
the deck. | picked it up and
put it back, and at the same
time | noticed a man who was
sitting next to me eyed me
keenly. Naturally | thought
he was anxious to strike up an
acquaintance, so | turned to
him with the conventional
pleasant day"
Yes, he returned politely.
Splendid
'Yoe are going to Nahant, |
suppose 2
'No-er-yes | think so. |
think | shall get off at Bass
Point and walk over to Nahant.
Splendid walk
Then he talked on various
subjects and admired the pic
turesque marine views which
went rolling by like 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
Fof the boat so soothing and my
companion decidedly agreeable.
He possessed all the magnetism
of a clever conversationist and
entertained me brilliantly.
We got off the boat at Bass
Point, which is a jutting point
of rocks crowded with those
buildings common to summer
resorts. 1t was Saturday and,
the place was overfiowing
with pleasure seekers. We
found little to interest us there,
and we soon started for Nahant,
IA 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 command
ed 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 ex-
changed cards-pointed out
several little points of interest
with which | was not familiar.
Il love to lie on the grass
like this and watch the water
shark he said 1T looks
like gold.
We sat there for some time
and talked. Then Brown sat
up suddenly and asked me how
| should like going i'll swim
ming. The prospect of salt
water bath struck me favora-
bly,. and | readily assented. So
we descended the hill and
walked along the curving path
toward Nahant.
| We went to the beach and
got bathhouse. There hap
lpened 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 Il bit colder than
lit really was. But enjoyed
the bath hugely. Suddenly
my companion rushed out of
the water and made for the
bathhouse, calling back to me
that he had chill. OF course
| followed Immediately in the
hope of being able to help him.
When opened the door, he was
Just sinking down on the seat
as though with the ague. |
went to work and soon had him
warmed up by violent rubbing
with q rough towel.
| We dressed hurriedly and
went out to sit on the rocks.
Some people We're 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
4 ylum and silent afterward. He
would gaze steadily out 10 sea