New-York tribune., 1905-06-11
ON QUAINT BLOCK ISLAND.
Where Time Causes FezC Changes.

The kindly wrinkled face of the old islander
beamed as he held up a hand for silence. writes
Harriet Quinby, in The Four Track News anu
listening ntently. cOunted-one, two three up 10
nineteen when he waited moment then chuchleu'
Hum. nineteen big felers and a couple OF little
ones! mighty good haul bein' that the weather
amt Jest what was wanted
The summer visitor looked his curiosity, and
turned with question which was answered before
being voiced.
.-Swordfish, stranger Nineteen of EN-. Didn I
you hear them toots? Well that was the captain
teln' US hovT the luck to-day. Purity soon
you'll hear another smack tootin off how many
they've caught"
BY dint Of questioning it gradually came to light
that the boats which put off Block Island quest
Of the much priced swordfsh talk by means of the
whistle, and long before they in sight of the
island all the inhabitants, young and old, know
just how many fish have succumbed to the skill Of
the
The Block Islanders are justly proud of their
sWordfsh. for they have almost corner on that
variety of the fnny tribe. the flesh of which. it is
claimed by many surpasses anything caught in the
deep.
The demand for the swordfsh is Invariably
greater than the supply. for although a number of
boats from the island make daily trips, they have
practically competition. as the fish, even in the
best fields are not numerous and it is hard and
dangerous work. requiring special outfit and men
Of long experience and much courage to catch
them; for the fish, which weigh from three hun
dred 10 five hundred pounds each are skifu
fencers with that sharp projection of bone which
has given them the name OF swordfsh-
Newport and Boston bid each year for most of
the catch, leaving little ship New
YORK; therefore the metropolitan epicure must
Heeas await ms annual tlo TO Block Island to en-
JOY his swordfsh steak, which he out
rivals anything that comes from salt water.
1hls little strip OF land ten miles out in the At
lantc: ike an emerald IN i crystal setting, be
another industry which differs from any other in
the United States-the gathering Of Irish mess and
rfry lNIh iiFarr VI
The harvesting Of this moss. which grows in
, eread quantities q upon the huge rocks along the
Wtio also hnds much entertainment in the quaint
vest is largely subject 10 the tide for like all good
things the best is the most difficult to reach. il
;=hen the water IS high The mossers Therefore
s.aseTy note the time when the tide recedes, !eav
ing clear the white stretch of beach the shaggy
boTldeTs Is1s rich rich with the dripping moss.
purple color fecled with lavender and white. The
leaves are semi transparent and they grow in
which by long Contact with The brine snd suns
have faded into neutral tints. wade in waist deep
as every seventh wave splashes high and covers
them with dash of foam: then with the humid
and the selected moss field difficult TO reach sacks
siung over stalwart shoulders and SLOWLY carried
10 the top OF the bluff, where carts carry the
days gathering 70 the bleaching field
Irish moss. as is pretty generally known. is high
iy prized both for its medicinal value and also as
fectly clear jelly both delicate and nutritious The
NF
the island were wont to gather the weed burn fl
ard the ashes Il medicinal application
The variety of seaweed known as ''keIp'' is aIso
gathered IN large quantities and used as a dressing
for land II not only enriches the soil. but softens
The clods and keeps the roots of growing plants
moist even during the hottest weather.
Few Of the many little islands which dot the
Atlantic are go quantity interesting as Block
Island, for. with its peaceful. wholesome atmo-
sphere and total Indifference as 20 whether there
is panic in Wall Street not, just enough mod
e-nisn has crept in to make the place ideal is in
daily communication with yet utterly independent
Of the great world.
A wireless telegraphy plant. situated on the Ear
end CT the island divides attention with the light
house. Here news from all countries is received
and printed IN a trso-sheet daily. luxury which
same regularity as do the residents of Manhattan
Another bit of modernism which fits well into
the old-fashoned charm Of the island is the bathing
beach, long stretch CT smooth white sand which
has been reserved for pleasure
Threading over the island which is only seven
miles In length and three In width. dividing il
into ltttie farms of from fifteen acres
each, are some four hundred miles of stone wall
the only fences known. which add a quaint charm
70 the Landscape. Dotted here and there every
few miles, are fresh water lakes rich with bass
and other. edible fish. and covered with hundreds
Of water lilies. An old Dutch mill. the pride and
Joy of the Islanders 10 grind the corn into
ent from the ordinary variety
Full OF romance legends and mysterious tales OF
nhantom ships which fit along the shores at inter