The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-09-17
PERCY PAYS A VISIT
C0NEY ISLAND,
A Day of Experiences for "A Devoted
Young Couple.
From the New York Sun.

good terms with his best girl he would
make the trip on Sunday. After pay
ing his room rent and laundry bill, in
addition to buying a meal ticket, he
had a bank roll which consisted of four
paper dollars. 1t was a small fortune
in his estimation, and when he called
for Maud bright and early in the morn
ing he had mapped out a glorious time.
They made their way hastily to the
Bridge entrance. A dense crowd stood
near the trolley loops, where every
moment there was a free fight in which
the women and children got the worst
of it, Percy looked the situation over,
and then said to Maud:
LAS soon as a Smith street car comes
along I'll push you aboard of it and get
a seat. Here comes one now"
With the appearance of the car there
was a volcanic eruption, it seemed.
Men grabbed other men and wrestled
all over the pavement. Women lost
their hats, children screamed and troll
ley employees yelled.
Percy took Maud around the waist
and tried to drag her to the car. A gil
gantic German hurled Percy and Maud
aside with one sweep of the hand, and
then threw four little Germans armed
with sand shovels and tin pals into
the car with a swoop that took their
breath away.
How dare you push me-" exclaimed
Percy, in a rage,
Look vOt ISIS talkin'!" roared the
German. ITO der woods; To der
voods!"
We'll have to wait for the next car,
dearie," said Percy to Maud, who was
trying to keep her hat on straight.
Say, young feller,' "a youth with a
fiat-topped derby growled, why DON
cher take der gal by der elevated up
stairs. see! Hey"
I guess 1 will" replied Percy, who
led the way upstairs.
Maud followed her face pale and her
hat over her nose. The elevated plat
form was packed. A train came in
and the mob swayed back and forth.
Men jumped through the windows
dragging children after them. Women
were compelled to wait until the cars
were crowded. Then they squeezed
onto the platform
Lets stand on the edge of the plat
form, Maud, then we can get in the
next train" said Percy as the crowd
ed cars rolled off.
The heat was terrific. Another Coney
Island train did not arrive for twenty
minutes. When it came to a stop,
Percy was swept away from the plat
FORMS edge, while Maud was hurled
through the gates by half dozen men,
one of whom said with gruff polite
ness:
Give the little lady a chance"
Percy, where are your" shrieked
the girl
Here 1 am, cried her escort, who was
struggling with the crowd.
Who's yer pushin'?" snarled a big
fellow who thrust his face into Percys
and glared at him. Who's yer push
in? Hey?"
I'm not pushing anybody. I'm try
ing to get into the car where Maud is
That's ALL" was Percys reply, as he
turned white.
We'll, all right, Gully" was the ruff
fiian's retort. Let it go at dat. But
if l tort youse wuz pushin' me a pur-
pose I'd dust yer lamps and send yez
to der hospital wild more broken bones
dan yer'd have if yez fell out'n a car
on der tracks. Sect Where is der gal,
anyway"
in that car there!" Percy walled.
I'm there"
well, in yez goes! Now, all toged-
der!"
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth before the man took Percy by
the shoulders, damned him through the
fighting throng, knocked down two
women and a man and landed him in
the middle of the car before he could
catch his breath.
I'm ever so much obliged to you,
sir" Percy gasped, as Maud clutched
mis- hands.
"All right, me boy. Where is yez go
in? To der island?"
Yes sir .
well, I'll see yez down dere, guess,
and I'll take yez around to me fren's
Billy de Goat. He's got a sweller of a
hotel. Best on de isle"
I'VE should like to co. murmured
Percy, looking frightened.
Hes terrible!" whispered Maud, as
she tried to move away.
The train was under way and there
wasn't standing room. Men were
smoking cigars and pipes. Women
were nursing infants, while several SEN
timental youths were singing that pa
thetc ballad, I'VE Won't Go Home
Till Morning"
Percy and Maud stood up all the way.
Their acquaintance stood next to them,
talking all the time.
Here's Coney!" he finally yelled
Now for Billy de Goat! I'm gettin'
hungry as a bull. Come on
Percy and Maud looked at each other.
lney Ola not KNOW WHAT 10 say mai
ly the girl remarked, timidly:
81 think. sir, we will so in bathing
first, if you don't mind"
"Wots de matter wild yez? Amt yez
goin' wild me? Hey?"
We'll meet you at IL o'clock" said
Percy, shaking like a leaf.
"All right, young Teller! Dat goes,
and III be right here 'on dis corner,
waitin'."
Percy and Maud hurried away. But
their progress was slow. The island
was swarming with people. They went
down to the beach. There was scarce
room to sit down.
Lets go back to the street." said
Maud I'm getting hungry, Percy"
Percy fumbled in his pocket and
found the four dollars. He looked
around for an eating house.
Dinner, % CENTS was a sign that
made him go to the place in a bee
line. 1t was tumble-down affair, with
half a dozen tables and rickety chairs.
Behind the counter sat a fat woman,
who was respondent in wig and imi-
tation jewelry.
DO you wish dinner?" she asked
with a smile
Percy nodded with dignity and sat
down He asked for a bill of fare and
the fat woman seemed surprised.
"Maggie!" she yelled. Maggie! Two
dinners"
Percy and Maud waited for half an
hour Then Maggie appeared with two
plates of chowder. The young people
tasted the dinner and laid their spoons
down.
"Ain't it good?" asked the fat wom-
an, raising her eyebrows.