The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-12
DELEGATES ENJOY
RIVER TRIP; COME
BACK REFRESHED
.Megaphone Brigade Provides
Many New Historic Scenes
for Special Benefit Of
Visitors.

flSllUlS.
Throwing their dignity to the wind.
long before they tossed their empty
lunch boxes into the muddy waters
Of the James, members OF the National
Conference OF Charities and Correction
got real touch of old Virginia high
life yesterday on the river excursion to !
the MISSIONER shades. Without formal- 1
ity, without worry over the problems
of child labor, and the diseases which
afflict the domestic oat--whiof1 DR.. [
Llndley so eloauent1y explained last
nisht-they MADE merry and came
back to the city at o'clock in tho
afternoon, bit weary, but withal re-
freshed by the outing.
What Impressed them most of all
was the hospitality and attention OF
the local committee led by Mr.. r. S.
Tuck. who has deserted his business
to look after their comfort and plea
sure.
Seven Hundred Aboard.
The Pocahontas. with 700 passen-
gers aboard, left the Old Dominion
Wharf at $3.50 A. NJ, made no stops on
The way and turned around at West
over. Chris Manning, chief of mega
phone performers. assisted by sew
eral citizens more or less familiar with
the history and traditions of the river
territory, kept the crowd in royal
good hunor by side remarks more
amusing than historically correct.
| Not being able to relate some roman
tic tale about every mansion and shack
along the shore. they naturally filed
| IN the gaps with the first thoughts
that came to their minds.
Approaching the interest OF the con-
ference in reform work. Colonel Mann
| ing, With such seriousness as he could
command. suddenly startled its repre-.
sentatives by request for. their atten-I
| tion.
THE house over to the left" he said,
was the site OF the first reform school
for negroes established In America In
! 1882 by Governor Swanson"
This was enough to start the laugh-
ter. After this opening josh, the otf-
ers took 1T up good-looking woman,
who might easily be identified by the
length OF the black plumes on her-
| Merry Widow. rema rking as the per.
formers went by. that they were
beautiful lot of cheerful liars. These
little incidents gave touch Of vaude-
Vile. the program, however. being cut
short before 1t became boring.
Really, the story of the trip might
be told In half a dozen lnes-a safe
and pleasant day, delightful lunch,
and life saving station equipped with
| fizz water and lemonade. But 1t was
more than that.
The rapid manner in which the lunch.
con was served. its quality. to say
nothing of the tenderness Of the fowl.
i and the satisfaction it gave, took 1t out
I Of the stereotyped class and give 1t a
4 refreshing color. Brother Elicit, OF the
CITY Council wandered into the station
and organized special committee Of
one to carry Apollinaris to the ladies'
4 higher up He gave good service.
Later in the afternoon score OF walt
ers came from below with Ice cream
j and cake, and returned again with
! lemonade.
Charmed With the Trip.
| Everybody was charmed with the
river scenes. DR.. Longino. of Atlanta,
said that his people would give their
entire city for the James II they could
transfer it, but he was informed that
/ 1t was not for sale or hire.
Kessnichs Band in the bow played
continuously throughout the day, and
!. in the afternoon there were singing
societies operating in different parts OF
! the boat. Coming back to the city
4 the Pocahontas caught all eyes from
the shores, the workers from the coal
/ docks throwing aside their labors to
watch. 1t was so different from the
custom in the more populous shipping
centres that 1t naturally created COM
| ment. although 1t was due to the
music, the myriad OF flags and the
colors that fluttered from the tops
of giant hats that swayed In the
/ breeze.
Altogether, the excursion was like an
4 informal reception. a grade above the
pink tea and the evening walk
j around. Many Richmond ladies We're
| freely than Alderman Elicit dispensed
the fizz-water. The kodak brigade
was at work on the upper decks con-
/ tinually.
Kind Words for Mr.. Tuck.
Leading members of the conference;
took occasion to say to the Richmond
people that while the local committees
add to their pleasure, the badge OF
honor belonged to Mr.. r. S. Tuck, with
j the Rev. Robert W. Forsyth, OF st.
| Pauls Church. and Mr.. r. A. Lancas-
! ter. .Ir.. running dead heat for second
\ place
I. Without disparag cement to others. II
must be said that Mr. Tuck has shoul-
4 dered practically the entire city end.
not starting his work yesterday. but
| long before the conference assembled
He has done more than all others.
and he is amply rewarded in the kind
words from the officers and the mems,
hers. The Rev. Mr.. Forsyth and Mr.
/ Lancaster were on the Pocahontas, do-l
/ ing anything and everything for the
visitors. Mr. Tuck. however. Is singled
out as the chief entertainer his unis,
form Kindness and consideration Prov
ing that he was actuated by the kinds
/ Hest spirit.
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