Middletown transcript., 1868-06-06
Lets go out to the camp cottage"

|
" Didn't they invite us ? say it would
be very rude not to go. can smell the
fragrance of the roses already, and feel the
fresh mountain air on my checks. It's
only ten minutes walk from the railroad
station in the woods, and Morris told me
the way exactly" ........
but they never dreamed that we
would come" ,..l-. ..... ...
"Did not they then it's high time we
administer to them lesson in truthfulness.
Come, you dear, darling Inez, you will
go; just to please me-" 81. 49,.
Inez laughed, hesitated and appeared
charmingly uncertain. Barbara tied the
strings of the little hat under her friends
chin, wrapped the white grenadine shawl
round her shoulders, and brought the azure
lined parcel.
" Now we are all ready. Come
&c But it is such Quixotic expedition,
Barbara"
| "Just exactly the reason I enjoy it.
Isn't it Leap Year besides, and aren't we
specially privileged +? OF course they'll
give us delicious little lunch-champag
and venison, or something of the sort, and
sec us home by moonlight. 1t will be splen-
did. Inez Clifford, you shall come"
And Barbara, as usual triumphed.
The MONDAY sun was pouring down, like
a rain of molten fire in clearing of rag
ged, half-charrcd stumps on the bald noun
tain side. Originally it had been used for
a charcoal burners shanty-but now it
stood deserted, save when, as now, a
camping OUT party from the city took
possession of its forlorn domains. Two or
three crows sat on the fork of the blasted
pine tree, obviously eyeing the wary foot
steps of Morris Bergen, who was toiling
up the. steep ascent with cedar pail half
full of water-the other half having be-
slowed itself in his shoes, and on his trou-
ser-legs, and a veteran rooster, tied by one
leg to the nearest stump, croaked dismally
and made various efforts to escape.
There" aaid Mr.. Bergen, depositing
the water on a rickety pine box, with an
energy that aroused Basil Glenn from his
siesta, and made even Hugh Tracy start,
eff you fellows aren't little more eco
uomical with the crystal element, you may
fetch it yourself that's all. Sodom and
Gomorrah, how hot it is-and l do believe
that hill grows sleeper every day."
Or you lazier," said Tracy.
Me- lazy" shouted Morris, and was
just about to commence retaliatory dia-
tribe, when Glenn started to his feet.
Boys, hold your tongues-some one
is coming up the hill, and ladies too Shut
the door-quick."
| Morris took a hurried peep through one
of the cracks in the logs. sf' -.
4 CANCELS and ministers of grace defend
us! it's the royal. Clifford and her spark
ling little friend. They've taken us at our
word they're coming to see US. Isn't
there a crack in the floor wide enough foI
me to sink, through I'd put for the
woods, if 1 thought there was any chance
of reaching 'em before the. fair enemy
should be upon us. say boys-they'vt
come to lunch--what's to be done p
Hugh and Basil stood looking at one
another-then, without word, they began
to sweep up the ash bestrewn hearth, tc
toss the old boots into the cupboard, fold
up straw newspapers and throw blackened
clay pipes out of the window. ~'.
f "The Philistines be upon .ye!" cried
, Bergen, with deepening glance first al
the forlorn apartment, then at his owl
somewhat dilapidated costume, as he went
: to open the door.
An unexpected pleasure" he cried,
with a hypocritical smile. &c Ladies, walk
in. Excuse BasiPs morning wrapper-he
tore the skirts off, listening to nightingales
by moonlight, last evening. Hugh, old
fellow, set some chairs. Not that one-it
has only three legs-nor the splint- bottom
one with the back dropping off. Batchel-
or accommodation, ladies'. but the best We
have. Lay off your bonnets-of course
: you will spend the day with u.s."
"But where are your roses and honey.
suckles?" demanded demure Inez, looking
around her. rE.
Hugh found it convenient not to heal
, the questions. rFa '
''Is this a cottage ri Should call it 6
hovel p said Barbara, elevating her small
nose. .ai#t,I H -"
Basil Glenn was deputed to entertain
D the ladies, while Tracy and Bergen retired
into the back shed-verandah they poeti-
$ cally called ito deliberate on the posi-
bilities of action.
" Hugh, just wiring that ROSTERS neck
! while 1 get together lid Of good hot Goals
and | say, old fellow-the bread il
, mouldy p'
, i" No crackers left?"
t "Deuce cracker I'll stir some corn:
meal up and bake corn pone-my corn.
: pones would be beautiful if they didn't
| sack down in the middle so--but what are
we to do for drink / suppose it wouldn't
: do to offer them brandy :"
s "Not exactly There is one bottle o.
e lemon pop left"
: 81 No there isn't-I drank it up this
e morning"
"There is pound of cofee-can you
make coffee?"
: | L. I.n4 aLa..l- a.- .uon nc L mn. ranEo Q