The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-04
Here the DWeller IS an
Independent and Alb
Solute Monarch.
The Acme of Solid Com
fort and Self Satisfied
LaZineSS.
Those Who Have Tried
1t Say There Is No
MonOtOny.

row to keep cool in summer Is the
II greatest problem that confronts
\ l. the average washingtonian
when the adjournment Of Con-
gross and the hegira OF a large portion
or the population to the various resorts
Of the North has left business at a
standstiH and recreation at a discount
In proportion to the size OF the city.
there are very few nearby resorts where
cool breezes and attractive methods Of
passing an evening tempt the weary
business and working man TO leave his
front doorstep. that has baked for hours
IN the sun and over which the only
breath of air that stirs carries with II
portion Of the accumulated heat OF the
asphalt in the street.
Car rides to the country are something
OF n relief, but the thought Of being
wedged into an irritable crowd or cling
ing 10 the running boards and having
ones feet stepped upon by every arriv-
ing or departing passenger discourages
mahy. A trip down the river offers the
same objections. with the additional I'M
pleasant feature Of having 10 hurry
through dinner and ride for miles
through the hottest section Of the city
to catch boat. There is. 70 be sure,
the possibility Of rowing or padding up
the river. where the water Is pure and
fresh and the breezes cool. But after an
evening so spent, one must return TO
the hot streets and during a few
minutes lose all the good effects Of the
outing.
Many Yield to Despair.
Because Of these things many people
r.
several weary and Improbable hours
that seem interminable retreat TO their
bedrooms only TO toss about in a vain
effort TO secure a nerve restoring sleep.
Mattresses are spread on back verandas
or roots By some enteTprising bachelors
and summer widowers and frequently
partial relief is secured. But the one sure
way Of having a cool and pleasant sum
mer without leaving Washington has
been overlooked by all but a few wise
ones who say nothing but look cheer
ful.
There Is no city in the United States
that can equal Washington for its pos
sibilities Of life on the water There
is no river IN this part OF the country
better adapted 20 such a life than the
Potomac. The marvel OF II all is that
so few have awaited themselves Of the
privilege 50 freely extended.
For the man Of moderate means there
Is no simpler or better means Of turn
ing hot summer into "A long vacation
OF giving his family a summer home with
out sending them a long distance away
than to move, bag and baggage into
a comfortable houseboat. He is then
as independent as the captain Of q
yacht. and quite as comfortable as he
would be in his own home. There are
no disagreeabIe neighbors, or. IL there
are. II is a simple matter 10 weigh an
Choir and drift g few hundred yards
down stream. After o'clock in tho
afternoon il is always cool. and IL there
IS a breeze anywhere il is across tn,
surface Of the river.
A Dinner in the Open.
To sit down TO a comfortable dinner
fresh from the markets Of the city and
served In the open air. and then to sink
back into a comfortable reclining chain
with a good cigar or pipe between yOul
teeth; to lazily feel the floor beneath
your feet gently rise and fall with IN,
ripping Of the water; 90 watch IN,
lights Of the heated city gIimmer out
I'm the growing darkness, ard feel thai
you are away from the noise. dirt. and
discomfOrts they are shining upon; tC
Watcu the canoes gnding past and lister
to the merry laughter and tinkling mu-
sic that float across the water from
them-that is houseboat life on the Po
tomac.
There is no question Of wooing sleep or
the houseboat. The greatest problem f,
10 keep your eyes open until a decent
hour for retiring. And after a truly
restful night you awake in the morning
thoroughly refreshed and ready for d
plunge into the bathtub provided on al
sides Of your home. You don't have q
coax your appetite for the hot break
fast that IS put before you. And wheI