The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-13
COMMUN ICATIONS.
Beyond the Settlements.

Beyond the Settlements.
To the Editor Of the Press.
At last the day came. Impatiently had it
been awaited. The weeks and days had
crawled like snails; the hours had been count
ed, but now the day had come, and the hopes
of months seemed near fulfillment. As many
as six of Portland's citizens were that MORN
ing elated Yet they quietly went and depos-
tied their ballots, helping thus to swell that
large majority in favor of good order given by
the State in spite of the Vaccinations of the
de--luded followers of B. b.
In 25m! intrinsically that time of day has
no special ring to it. On that day it had,
and at its Ginning the six eated ones took
seats in cars, and soon were whirling towards
Moosehead. That word being spoken, the fc-
line quadruped has fully escaped the sack, and
it may as well be acknowledged that on cleo
tion day Sept. IA, party of six ''literary and
professional gentlemen did leave this city, en-
route for Moosehead, thence to the west branch
OF the Penobscot river, purposing to follow
its course down to Oldtown. Tuesday morn
ing found US at Greenville, at the foot of the
lake. Wednesday morning we launched our
three canoes fairly on the west branch. Ne
pos, who had Joined us after leaving Portland,
made the party seven. Thus we started, sew
en- whites with three Indians as guides and pad
dlemen. Three Of the party had been over
the route before. "Old campaigners' they
called themselves. "Raw recruits" they called
the novices. Both sections bore their honors
neekly. Possibly a recruit stepped into ca
noe little more daintily than campaigner.
Neither party showed any daintiness at meal
time.
We were in advance of election returns,
knowing nothing of the result, nor did we ex-
pect to know for two weeks or more. Ourre
joicings may be fancied when it is made known
that on Thursday we were fortunate enough
TO fall upon Major Strickland of Bangor just
in from the settlements with the glad inteli-
gence that the State had gone Republican by
10000 majority. A portion of our party en-
joyed the hospitality of one of the Majors
camps in shape of baked beans and tremen-
dous doughnuts. Aud that night what camp
we had. The night itselfw brilliant beyond
compare. The northern lights completely
overarched the sky The stars were all on
duty and they did their duty we'll "The new
moon with the old moon in her arms low in
the West was seen. The spirits of the party
were irrepressible; joy that right had pre-
vailed, that Our State motto was no misnomer
that loyal hearts elsewhere would be encour-
aged, that the State and we were just where
we were, filled every heart. Some adequate
expression must be found. Behold! Judex,
with small flambeau in hand, leaves the camp;
soon the flame curling up the tall lileless stump
Of white birch, cracking loud and gathering
force, leaping higher and yet higher, crowns
the summit with its glory and reveals the bent
of the judicial mind. He will illuminate Pis-
cataquis county; quite task, but what mate
rial And he has helpers; soon dozen
stumps are burning, all at once the darkness
turning into day, and filling all the wood
wherein we camp with light peculiar, the re-
fected radiance of leaves green, and scarlet
and golden, lighting up remote recesses, open
ing avenues not suspected, and forming as
whole the competest measure of our Joy. To
Ill this measure full requ ired the illumination
OF a county, and we did it. The camp was
dubbed Camp Cony by acelamation.
Saturday 10Th, 10 a. m. found US at the foot
OF Chesungook Lake, where dam has been
built to aid in numbering operations. Here
the fishermen Of the party made an attack
upon the finny tribe. Scribe caught the lst
trout, using for that purpose brown hacke
The trout was in the youthful stage, with great
susceptibility for larger growth, and it is be-
lieved IL he had not met this serious pull-back
he would have arrived in time to the dignity
and size OF an Alderman; as it was he had
hardly attained the size of Common-council
man. Merchant caught his uncle we presume,
a worthier candidate for municipal honors
Later in the day we had fair view of Bruin
in his wild state The Bear fact was in plain
sight, but too far off for an effective shot, nor
did he diminish the distance but rather increase
it. forcing us to the melancholy conclusion
that the bear is an unsocial animal, not caring
for the acquaintance of civilized man, and as
such he was written down" on the Note
Books of the party.
Saturday 10Th. A week has passed of vary
ing fortune, with the essential emcndation
that We lad no bad fortune at ALL Some time
more game than at others, but most of the
time plenty of trout, occasional partridges,
semi-occasional ducks. 1t is noticeable that
the party all have appettes, is growing very
brown, takes most kindly to this unaccustom-
ed way OF hie, Is full of gaiety and good humor
has left some injurious habits behind. such as
taking cold and wearing umbrellas. II it did
not border on personality some statistics might
be given proving the tallacy of the commonly
received dogma that the capacity of the stom-
ach is but three pints. Perhaps il will be sufli-
cient to assert, upon my honor as a scribe, that
accurate observation, mature reflection, and
actual measurement wide my pint-dipperl
prove the dogma falacious TO the last degree
absolutely compelling the adoption of some
other measures before such lean physiology
De taught the starving youth of this Republic.
Inc narrow limits of the text book are utterly
despised by parties engaged in generous ri
valry as 10 which one in the quickest and
most thorough manner shall devour ten pota-
toes. "Iell me not in mournful numbers" a
e-pound trout Is sufficient for man.
know better.
Monday morning, Sept. 2S Two Sabbaths
have been spent in the forest. How diferent
from Sabbath at home. Yet not unproGtable
is it thus to worship God in his larger sane
tuaries, with the sky above for ceiling, and in
Vulnerable supporting columns, as the God of
nature reared them. The daily morning wor-
ship is impressive and delightful, and the con-
tinual recognition of Gods hand and Provi-
dence has lent charm TO all our journey
hitherto. But to-day is Monday: we must set
our faces homeward. All the forenoon and
until four p. NJ, we were passing through a
country Of loveliness unmatched, and all en-
hanced many fold by the gloomy grandeur of
Katahdien's perpetual presence. We knew
not what was in store for US. The journal shall
speak for itself.