The San Francisco call., 1910-01-30

RI the full glory of a midwinter AFT
ernoon a group of riders. three men
and two women. whose usual New
York Sunday outing consists of the
snail like progress of the closed cab
procession which winds its dignified
way up Fifth avenue and through the
park, is emerging from the bride path
of Golden Gate park in San Francisco.
Like connoisseurs drinking the finest
wine, drop by drop, these people are
absorbing natures wondrous offerings,
the astonishing green of the foliage,
the pungent odor of the pines, the
warm, comforting rays of the sun and
the gently waited breezes which seem
to rise and fall with the cadence of the
canter
Crossing the boulevard and descend
ing Thea aembankment, they settle into
an intoxicating trot at the waters S
edge, straight toward the gold of the
setting sum-, in their ears the deep
roar of the breakers across their vision
the binding spray rising high in the
air and the foam lying in sheets white
upon the sand.
In a moment an abrupt stop, half
turn on the shoulder and the whole
party is gazing spellbound out to sea.
What is it?" some one asks of the
groom, who has galloped quickly up,
thinking something was wrong. Are
they mermaids or human beings, or is
1t an optical delusion or mirage?"
"Ohi" laughed the groom, glancing
in the direction indicated. That s
Miss Claire Donovan's swimming class.
They call themselves the Winter swim
ming club. and they can be seen almost
any Sunday doing some right fancy
stunts, too. Sometimes they are on
this beach, sometimes they go into the
bay at North beach or into the water
off the Alameda shore. Not many men
can make as good q showing as those
girls do"
II guess you're right" said one of the
New Workers, his eyes fixed upon a
tall, muscular girl as she dived fear
lessly into huge mountain of a wave
and coming quickly to the surface
swan rapidly off with firm, sure
strokes.
That girl" volunteered the groom.
lis employed at one Of the big down
town stores and, in fact, they nearly
all work in stores or offices. and they
say that this Sunday swimming and
two nights a week at the gymnasium
keeps them fit. You kndw the Califor-
MIA girls lead the world in athletics and
that's why they're taller and bigger
generally than other girls, and
healthier"
And jollier and brighter, too; more
fun, l think" said a man who had not
yet spoken, but who had been closely
following the movements of the aquatic
group.
And that is why when they come to
New York they absorb the attention Of
you men monopolize the conversation
and the whole thing generally at
the supper parties. while we sit around
and nope" spitefully mqrmured the
girl on the side saddle, leaning forward
to caress her mount, who was accus-
toned to the sights of the beach and
becoming restive. mo cold water bath
ing for mine, or California girls,
either"
"Oh, say" said the tactful man, TAX
Ing the hint, what lot of time we're
wasting and what bully stretch for
gallop; come on" And the little caval-
cade moved on, drinking in old oceans
ozone, the girls thinking enviously Of
those splendid Amazons, immune to
goose skin, whom they were leaving
behind. Girls strong and healthy
throughout the year in spite of long
hours behind counter or desk, girls get
ting their health from the elements
the air and the water-and finding their
best loved recreation In the work of
the gymnasium Not much use for an
artificial complexion have those girlsi
The red corpuscle furnishes that with
the help of the sun and wind as they
stand high on the tall piles or on the
end of the piers which dot the beach.