The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-09-08
Summer Day on Deck
of Chesapeake Steamer
The Captain, Ships Crew, Passengers and the
Eastern Shore Interesting to the Traveller
from the North.
from the North.

1t was half past seven OF hot sum-
mer morning on the deck Of a Chesa-
peake steamer pointing a triie east by
south. Thinnish clouds yelled the sky.
so that the waters of the bay lacked
much Of their usual rich coloring. but
the dim green of Tangier Island. as 1t
lay low on the western horizon. was
pleasant to see. and a little later the
black green velvet OF the pine forests
on the mainland Of the Eastern Shore
enriched the scene. while one and an
other tiny harbor into which the in
quisitive craft soon poked her nose ex-
hibited the varied loneliness Of clustered
shade trees, sand-trimmedi coves. and
broad fields fresh with growing crops.
At the busy and somewhat squalid lit
tie city of Crisfeld. where wharf and
ship had rumbled for at least three
hours OF the early morning with out
going and incoming freight. had been
left behind a swarm OF greedy mos
quitoes and a jaded company Of youths
just home from a debauch in the sloppy
saloons of Baltimore.
To have shaken of the double discom
fort of CrisfeId. human and insect. and
to feel the soothing and cooling touch
Of the salty breeze created bv the head
way of the vessel was like an adventure
In a new and delicious world. Indeed.
after the disComforts of a night in which
one passenger vainly cOurted sleep while
ribald and tipsy boy stood outside his
stateroom with an elbow thrust in at
the open window and exchanged black
guardIy epithets with his comrades. the
clean quiet Of the wind-swept deck,
sparsely scattered with a small and or
de-ly company. was OF itself sufficiently
soothing Captain and purser, with the
curious attitude OF particular and per
sonal goodwill and hospitality habitual
with ships officers in those waters, had
solicitously inquired about the annoy
ance Of the vanished night. expressed
the utmost sympathy with the discom-
moded traveller. and given reassuring
promises of peace and comfort for the
night of the inward-bound voyage.
The captain. like the youthful hero
Of Stevenson Christmas at Sea.
could truthfully say. And the house
above the coast guards was the house
where | was born" for he was a ma
tive OF the region and. indeed he actu-
ally went ashore at one wharf TO see his
family and seek spring chickens Tor the
ships dinner a search in which he was
not entirely successful. II the passenger
could judge from the Muscular charac-
ter Of the fowl served 10 him at that
meal A glstronomc accident Ike
that, however. could not spoil the charm
OF a voyage in which the traveller was
made TO feel that his comfort and pleas
ure were the chief concern for which
the ship and the ships company existed
Some Passengers.
The musical care-free laughter OF the
plump and nearly white chambermaid
>ounded now and again from the shady
corner where she sat d Nestically darn
ing A stocking while she exchanged
"haN and gossip with TIE slim. black
waiter boy from the saloon. not ur-
mindful Of the envious gaze directed
toward her BY an ambitious rousta boat
from n 5 humble place below the deck.
At each wharf there was a terrific hus-
tie 20 get the freight aboard. hut be
tween ports leisure took possession OF
the craft. and nearly everybody. save
those actually engaged in navigation and
the cook in his galley. found time FOR
ease and talk
\ young professor # engineering from
Middle Western State university wl-
on his way to the semi-troPCai Viz
GINA Eastern Shore for his summers
rest 4 Virgin!an Of the Western Shore
mselr. he had married on the Eastern
Shore. and was now bound for farm
stead set amid many sandy acres a
mile or so from one OF the little ha--
bors toward which the vessel made he-
way. His frank. thin face. his speech
vc CO. and m-rne- were al, those Of
the welI-hred Virginian a species that
refuses 20 disappear In spite # ching
ed conditions and new deals.
Inbred Courtesy.
Side ny side with the Young engineer
vas an Eastern Shoreman Of a familiar
native type a sturdy. round headed maH
~ perhaps forty. with an agreeable
voice. speech marked with provincial
iSms Of the region and Of his own breed
ing. 4 manner self-resHect.ns and dig
rified hut courteous with a faint touch
Of tho deferentIai in which there was
no hint Of toadyism The extreme cour-
t"sy ~. the Eastern Shorcman. who is
neithc- Of the coarser Hoor-white tvpe
nor 81 the old local land-ownInc class.
Is thing that any hut the most taCtful