Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-01-07

| sights and Incidents.
Mrs. Burton Harrison, In an article
ON American Rural Festivals" In tho
Century, writes as follows:
OF those which I have seen, and
those of which l have been able to
gather accounts, the one ..smaching
tmost pleasantly'of old-time, rustic rev.
elry, and therefore t6s68 offered honor
table precedence In this recital, Is the
"Salt Water Day, or "Wash Day, I" Of the
New Jersey farmers that since<tim
out of mind has been celebrated on the
seeond Saturdayin August, upon the
coast ct Sea Grit ~ ~ 49,.
To make this Jersey holiday, as
semble q thousand. back-country We
hicles, of all sorts, from the hooded
farm wagon, which has not greatly
altered its pattern for centuries, to the
rude blackboard and the pert sulky. The
horses are withdrawn from shafts or
pole to be tethered behind the wagons
or piclseted at little distance In the
rear. Around the impromptu camp
gather people enough to blaclsen mile
Of the sandy shore-people who for
months have been looking forward to
the occasion as the chief holiday Of the
year. Cedar chest and camphor trunk
and lowered handbook have been called
upon to disgorge their treasures; but
there is no other attempt at costuming
than the assumption of mere Sunday
nest. An odd feature of the great con.
course is the seriousness with which II
takes it's pleasure. A solemn, even
strained, expression of determination to
revel or die sits upon the majority of
faces. During the embarrassing of the
wagons, which have been arriving upon
the scene since early dawn-camping
over night being not infrequent-th
good wives unpack their luncheon bas-
kets, take tally Of their pies, and, II
need be, while away the time by me.
thodically administering punishment
OF the good old-fashioned variety to
their impatient youngsters.
Around the outskirts Of the concourse
are seen the booths and rostrums of the
falsirs attracted from New York by the
promise of rich harvest from the farm.
srs' wallets. There are also rifle-range,
O merry go-round, and a doll target at
which balls are thrown for prizes.
Many another cheap diversion offers
Itself during the explorations of the
farmer and his wife and clamoring
progeny, and more than one pinch OF
dire experience falls to the lot Of the
paying member of the party. The nasal
cries of the Yankee Autolycus Offering
his inlsles, caddises and lawns are con.
tinually heard above the swelling muir.
murs of Jersey joviality.
Fairing over, there is a general re-
treat to the tent drcssing-rooms, Inn
provised with shawls and canvas cur
tains In connection with the vehicles
The great annual bath OF the pilgrims
Is next in order. and down to the shin
Ing reach of ocean, where the crisping
pillows hurry in, presently troop the
nueerest professions of bathers ever
seen ont of caricature. Many OF the
-ssu and boys, di.daining change OF
6ress, go into the water in their ordi-
nary clothes, summing themselves after
ward in the hot sand until toasted dry
again. Others put on shirts from which
sleeves have been removed, and trousers
cut off at the knee. The bathing outtt
OF the women reveals droll miscellanies
Of bygone fashion in cut and texture,
some of the more coy among the ma
irons including pantalets, sunbonnets
and gloves. With sober mirth, demnre
smiles, suppressed cries of excitement.
the phalanx moves into the surf, taking
hands to jump discreetly up and down
In long lines, safe within the danger
line. To the great number this ven
ture into the sea is actually no more
than an annual experience.
After the bath, noontiine turns al |
thoughts dinnerward, and the camp
settles down into one vast picnic. Pies
Of ell kinds suggest the litany-chant-
ed without taking breath-of the fem.
mime hotel waiter inf the ear of the
summer boarder: "Apple-pie, mince.
pie, custard pie, lemon pie, squash pie
and pieplant pie" Doughnuts (called
''nuts" in the vernacular), cheese In
liberal wedges, ham sandwiches, hard
boiled eggs, and pickles, supply the
favorite menu; and lemonade and root
"a stronger beverage
are produced in.bottles each confess
ing by label to different intention in
lts earlier career.
Then, while the summer sun slants In
the cloudless heaven, the merriment
gees on to its climax, more dips in the
pecan are taken, more money changes
hands, more solid food IL consumed, ~
It last the shades of evening close upsn
he scene, and general "hitching ~
II teams betolrens the end Of Salt w.
lar day ut Sea Girt.
The best underwear and no.
siery for the price Is at
the FAIR.
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