Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-23
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ing until Saturday afternoon. the fishers
and the crabbers are away from home.
but on Saturday afternoon the boats
NAV be seen sailing homeward, and at
the landings crowds of children are
waiting to greet the fathers who have
been absent all the week. and this is
pay day for the children
On SATURDAY afternoons and Sundays
the anchoring places around the eastern
side of the island are well filled with
the boats that have been absent during
the week, and on shore the burden of
conversation on Saturday afternoon re-
lates to the catch of the week and the
prices which different fishers or crab
bers have received for their weeks
work.
The whole island is Methodist in re-
ligiOus belief. and very enthusiastic
and prosperous Methodist church is To-
Gated on the island. This church is one
of the first objects that is noticed upon
nearing the island, as its tall spire- is
readily seen above the tops of the other
buildings and the small trees which
grow on the island. This church is the
/ finest and most ambitious building on
the island, and next to this the parson-
age is probably the best building. Re-
ligion has secured IA strong footing, aud
the people are almost universally men,
beers the church.
Outside of the church there is little in
the way of entertainment for the island
ers, and, consequently, the church is
the leader i'll society as well as in morals
The Fourth of July is quietly sidetrack-
ed into festival for church purposes,
and the sisters of the church furnish
the dinner. of which all the islanders
are expected to participate. at reason
able expenditure. Other sisters preside
at booths covered with the sails from
the vessels at anchor during that day,
and from these booths dispense lemonade
candy and cakes. all for the benefit of
the treasury of the church.
The women of Tangler are hardy
class. and not at all wanting in good
looks, and greet the stranger upon the
street in as cordial manner as if 1t
could not happen that any but gentle
men and gentlewomen would ever visit
Tangier, and the forInality of an intro
duction is waived. This kindly custom
of speaking to strangers is also notice.
able among the children, and Tangier
is famous for the quantity of children
that may be seen oil the streets or play
ing at the waters edge ut almost any
reasonable hour.
The prevalence of the sunbonnet is one
of the marked features of outdoor life
in Tangier, aud the sunbonnets can be
seen i'll almost any direction. Sometimes
the wearer may be seen putting boat
across the fields, for in that flat country
the tiny canals are completely hidden
at short distance by the long marsh
grass; at other times the sunbonnets
sprinkle the one street of the island, and
especially is this true at the hours when
purchases are needed for the family
! table, or when the daily mail arrives
from Crisfield, an event of moment, for
| there is no daily train to furnish excite
ment for this quiet spot.
At O'Clock on Saturday afternoons
the sunbonnets vanish as if by magic,
and the girls and the matrons who are
now seen Oh the street are usually bare.
headed or wearing becoming hats, the
| aprons have been put aside for the day,
and perhaps you may meet on the street
| some very handsome women, tastefully
gowned, whom you have seen mt an
earlier hour of the day going to the
store or the pOstoifice barcfooted and
wearinga generous sized sunbonnet, for
the women do not seem to- think it
strange to 20 barefooted during the
working hours of the day if they are so
inclined.
Sunday, however. is the great day of
the week Not by any means day
given to mirth or sport, for the boats
are all anchored and all of the islanders
are at home for the purpose of attend
ing church. and there is service of some
kind for nearly every hour of the day
from in the morning until twilight.
The one street at this time presents a
busy appearance, for on account of its
long, narrow character it seems literally
crowded from the time of the tolling of
the church bell until the service has
commenced All of the services seem
to be well attended, and young and old
are very constant i'll attendance upon
church.
The final service of the day closes a
little after sunset, and at its close the
Young men take the young women of
their choice and promenade the narrow
street, the only boulevard of the town.
There is noted an absence of the noise
and gaiety that might be expected from
so many young people. AS they walk
along some of them hum selections from
the Gospel hymns or converse in quiet
manner. Occasionally some young fell
low without partner stops a promenad-
ing couple with the inquiry who's
best" and if the young lady desires
change of partners she accepts the arm
of the newcomer and leaves number one
disconsolate. but such affairs ara few
and far between. and love seems to run
as smoothly as it might be expected II
Arcadia.
| The promenade lasts but little tim
and at an early hour the street is d.
serted, for the men are obliged to be
the grabbing grounds at an early NJ
the next morning The day of the w
has passed. and life until the nex.-
urday afternoon will be filled
exciting struggle Of dippings
from the sea.