New-York tribune., 1903-01-18
HOME LIFE OF A RESORT.
SEEN At ATLANTIC CITY.
Hoe Permanent Residents Maintain
IndGUaduaHty.

Atlantic City " j Jan. II CspeciaD.-one Of the
winter army of pleasure seekers who seek Atlantic
City II ever increasing numbers as the season ad-
vances drifted into grocery store in Pacfhc-ave
yesterday morning He had visited the city Of the
several times before. and knew the joys Of the
board walk from the inlet TO Chelsea, but never
had he been in a store which catered TO the needs
Of any but the transient visitor. Like most Of the
others who come here for day week month
he had never considered the city place Of per
Tnanent residence. The grocery store with Gus
toners who were undoubtedly housewives the
daughters Of permanent householders, household
servants told him that there was another sort of
life At Atlantic City than the abnormal Of the
temporary resort visitor.
AT the end of q counter in this store he noticed
q big bag labelled "The Market Basket A little
girl who had just purchased some apples dropped
TWO Of them into the bag she a
woman. having completed her purchases. caught
sight OF the bag she was leaving the store She
returned and bought two cans of jelly, which she
put into the yawning mouth Another woman de-
rosited one Of dozen cakes of soap which she had
just bought 1t curious. and he asked about it
The Market Basket idea IS a one said
the groceryman we have hospital here which
IS operated at cost Of s25,ooo The city pays half
OF the expenses the rest coming from subscrip-
lions So large portion OF the population is tran
sient and uninterested in anything but their
enjoyment that have trouble raising the
fund One OF the nurses at the hospital had the
idea Of putting thtse bags in the stores and mar
6ets, where people could pop into them any
1rIbution they desired from potato to twenty-five
pounds Of sugar. It will cut down the running ex-
Jenses considerably. and the gifts small that
no one feels them
Then he told OF the plans for and greater
hospital. which viii be built around the old build
1ngs The plans have been drawn by Howard F.
Adams. and funds are available the
work Of reconstruction will begin
I'm interested IN the permanent life here said
the visitor, for little touches like the Market
Basket tell that YOU have such thing. Who
can best tell me about it?'
The grocer, though a Of parts and at
time member Of the city official family, not
cure. Now, If Il the visitors that you were
curious about the Chief Of Police would be just
the man" he said The Chief knows all about
Them"
Some clergyman perhaps?" suggested the Wis
:tcr.
Now you've hit it," declared the merchant. and
J know the very mantle Rev J. II. Townsend
He is as popular minister as ever preached in
This or any other and he's just the sort for
Atlantic City
The Rev M Townsend is pastor Of the Church
of the Ascension. of the three Protestant Epis
copal churches in Atlantic City. HIS church Is
always open and the lstehstring of the rectory is
always out. What he does not know about life in
Atlantic City cannot be learned after long and
serious study an6 he consented to give The Trib-
1ne correspondent some Of his observations
Are the permanent residents OF Atlantic City
living along constant stream Of pleasure seeking
visitors able 10 live normal lives. surrounded
they arc by such abnormal conditions was the
general question which the visitor asked
II did not quite suit Mr. Townsend. What .'ou
call abnormal conditions sirhrly unusual con-
ot!ons he corrected Then came the warning
that he would be unable 10 eeneralize, and one
would have to be content with certain facts and
his deductions therefrom.
The good sense and right ceiling OF lndlylduals
and OF communities develop IN time wholesome
routine Of social and family life; amid any condl-
7iOne however unusual. IN is the person leaving
for The first time his accustomed routine OF ne
with its habitual associations and safeguards. who
loses MS balance be il the equpoise OF virtue or
q balance in the bank.
.NrhOse adrift ia a ufebost grow TO be KIND and
cordial and confidential each other. They min
iroize their differences or forget them as Tar as
possible. This is the sgntiment which pefVsoes
Atlantic City.