The Republican journal., 1902-01-02
ing overhead, and forming a perfect

ing overhead, and forming a perfect
Gothic arch. Arriving at the door of
J the grapery we were dumb with amaze
ment. The entire roof was a mass of
foliage. Here and there, at as regular in
! tervals as if they we're artificial, hung
huge branches of enormous purple
grapes. We were informed by the
guard that the main stem of this won
derful grape vine is now 80 inches in
| circumference, and that the vine was
bearing twelve hundred punches of
grapes, averaging three-fourths of a
pound to bunch. The vine was plant
ed little over a century ago. Had it
not been for the wire netting protect
ing the fruit we hesitate to say what
would have happened, Notwithstanding
the formidable red-coat at the door. As
it was, the party made it's exit without
any arrests being made, and as the time
appointed for starting Londonward
was fast approaching we decided to re
return to our rendezvous.
Finding we still had some time to
spare we betook ourselves to the bridge,
but few rods distant, and watched the
boats of all descriptions slowly making
their way up against the tide. Returning
to our starting point we spent the re-
naming few minutes in watching the
constantly changing panorama before
us. Motorcycles of every description
whiZzed by, putting and snorting; EAU
tos," built for two, "or even for one,
disputed supremacy with motor car
riages holding whole families; pony car
riages and coaches and-fours, traps"
and victorias driven by red-faced and
liveried coachmen; and a ver-ending
steam of cyclists added their units in
peopling this vivid moving picture.
The humorous element was not want
ing, either, for just in front of us was
a strange contrast. An old fashioned,
hard tired ordinary came pushing slow
ly along, its rider pedalling with all his
might, and barely succeeding in making
the huge front wheel revolve. when a
motor-tandem, bearing young man
and woman, sped around the corner
with buzz and whirr, the riders
passing each unconscious Of the pres
ence of the other, or of the ludicrous
picture they made; to Yankee eyes, at
least.
1t was about half past four when our
/ break drove up, and we were greeted
by the luminous face of ''Cholly,
who produced the gentlemen's over
coats which he had volunteered to take
! charge of during their absence, and
assisted us to our seats. Although
somewhat tired we enjoyed the return
drive exceedingly, and from our seats
on the high vehicle had an excellent
opportunity to view the returning
crowds. And after all, they were but
little different from the typical crowds
at home. Papa'S nose a shade or two
redder perhaps; mamma degree
stouter and more florid: the children S
cheeks tritle redder; the white muslins
not quite SO white; pearl necklaces and
gold bracelets little more numerous
canes and tall hats more plentiful, and
shoes a size or two bigger; but, when
all is said, very much the same that one
sees on his own native heath.''
Frequent stops were maze at way
side hostelries, where grooms attended
to the horses, which were given a few
| moments rest and refreshments. II
was decidedly cool when we reached the
town at little past seven, and we were
driven directly to the Holborn-only to
find that restaurant closed for the day!
None of the smaller places in the vi
cinity. or out of it, for that matter
were open; so we decided to patronize
the Vienna Cafe. We did not stop tc
bid ceremonious farewell to 'sCholly''
and the driver; and as we We're hurry
ing along in the direction of the cafe
one of the gentlemen felt a touch on
his shoulder, and turned quickly to be
confronted by the face of our friend
"Oh, 'ang it hall, sir" he said pleading
]y, ''ain't you goin' to give me some
thin to drink yer 'ealth with, fel
tyking keer of your hovercoats, sir. ,
The necessary thing was produced anG
"Cholly' faded away in the distance
not exactly like beautiful dream, but
at least as an amusing memory.
We were ushered into small room
Oil the second, or what English people
call the first floor and seated ourselves
at small table. After waiting unit
we were at the point of starvation, ou1
orders appeared, and the delicious
chocolate compensated us for the delay
Tea over, we walked slowly home tt
the Russell, rather tired, but not toe
weary to repair to the luxurious writ
ng-room and scribble a few lines
to the dear ones so far away
M. d. P.