The Washington times., 1902-07-13

~ YSTER BAY, July 12.-This
quaint Long Island village.
" which has been "sprucing up"
for weeks past to welcome
back its foremost citizen. the Presi-
dent of the United States, has now ex-
perie1ced for a full week the novel
sensation of being the summer capital"
of the country. That the villagers enjoy
the distinction thus thrust upon this
quiet community there can be little
doubt; but. Notwithstanding the height
to which Mr.. Roosevelt has risen, there
is still the neighborly feeling which ex
listed before he became nationally rom
inent in politics. and this banishes the
very thought of ceremonious actions or
display.
The village of Oyster Bay is clustered
about the southern circumference of the
harbor of the same name, and is built
up rather compactly, each cottage hav-
ing its little surrounding plot of ground
Beyond the village proper, both to the
east and west, are the handsome homes
of wealthy people. principally New
Workers; TO the north the bay just men
toned, and to the south the rolling
country typical of all Long Island.
Oyster Bays attractions begin as soon
as the visitor arrives at the railroad
station, a neat, low structure lately
completed TO keep pace with the added
prominence which was conferred upon
II when its foremost citizen quickly
rose from governor of the great En-
pire State to be Vice President, and
then came into the Presidency Itself.
The station proper is moderately
large one-story building, which, with
its wing-lik sheds at either end, con-
veys the impression of a great seagull'
with its pinions still outstretcbed, just
landing from the rarefied air of Long
Island Sound.
The All-Important Stop.
Ones first impressions of the town.
which has come into such prominence
In late years, are apt to be influenced
by whatever casual glimpses may be
gained from the railroad station.
Oyster Bay is the "end of the route,
and the tourist is sure to be instantane-
ously convinced of that fact at the mo-
ment the train stops. There are other
stops, quite a few of them, between
Long Island City and Oyster Bay, but
they are all insignificant in compari-
son with the last stop. They all lead
up to the end of the journey as sort
of triumphal climax.
The traveller appreciates that the way
stations are but points on the map,
mere "hesitations," as it were, rather
than full stop. But he becomes fully
aware that he has come to ''the" stop,
the all-important stop, when the heay-
ing engine gives a self-satisfled sort of
a gasp at having completed the thirty
three mile run from Long Island City
in a little less than an hour and half.
Impediments to Speed.
To be absolutely frank, an hour and
twenty minutes is more accurate.
Several trains are known to scale the time
down 20 one hour and twenty minutes,
but 1t is a hazardous chance to count
upon. There are possibilities of blooded
stock on the track, wandering from the
paIace-stables and jewel-studded stalls
OF the New York aristocracy. which has
colonized the country around Wheatiy
Hills and Mineola. And then there is
the omnipresent and ever-welcome golf
player to add zest to the public conver-
sation Of train platform and coach by
speaking word3 composed Of English let
tiers and represented by ineligible
sounds, but having no meaning TO the
unfortunate traveller who has never
fooled" or "sclaffed' or been "dormie
Two" or something equally exciting
when going through the fair green in
pursuit of the elusive and cuss-prOyOk-
ing gutta percha pellet
Fast Time or the Special.
These are the swift trains on tae
regular schedule. The Presidents spe-
cial. on his return from the Pittsburg
trip. covered the distance from Long
Island City to Oyster Bay, with only one
stop, in the very satisfactory time. Of one
hour and seven minutes. The stop was
occasioned by u regular train getting the
right OF way
While Mr.. Roosevelt is necessarily the
villages foremost citizen. there are
many other prominent" citizens. and
even the Chief Magistrates special was
only that of ''Neighbor Roosevelt when
IL got into the vicinity Of Oyster Bay.
Conyeyances on Wheels.
Alighting on the spic-and-span as
phalt platform of the new station. the
travellers gaze is permitted to feast on
Ia generously good assortment of con-
|veyances some of them to hire. though
kthe price suggested, in response TO the