Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-08-20
The Ca,npieo Out Ercursiom.

On Thursday last, sons MY offhe den.
lions Of our quiet burgh. with invited
guests befoek themselyss tn tue heights
ofranklin Plantation, for camping out
excursion, ostensibly for blueberries, but
really fora grand good time. which was
fully realized. The day was delightfully."-
cool. and some twenty-five teams got
away in good season, freighted down
with camp squipagc and rations. The
objective point was Speckled Mountain,
In Franklin Plantation. bold and nearly
bare promontory, as you approach it from
the south, and being about two thousand
feet above the level Of the sra.
The ride. of about three hours, was
through delightful section Of the coun-
try. among hilli ndthrough shady woods.
10 the foot of the mountain. The noun
tain road of about mile was slightly out
of repair. as we thought, though we got
over it in our carriages, when we reach
ed a lovely spot which had bean selected
for the camp.
The horses were taken out, the car
riaye. brought into line. and all hands
put to work, pitching tents. making fires.
and preparing to appease our well sharp
ened appetites. Two large bell tents
accommodating thirteen each. were put
up for the ladies. and eight or ten a tents
for general and promiscueus use, which
means, to stew away ''fixins" and men.
A good repast was soon dcvoured, when
the Ladies'. rather more Jealous than dis
erect, started for the tip top. hoping to
dyaw the gentlemen after them-but ere
they reached the top hey had TO be dra'cn
themselves. A goodly number reached
the top aud were repaid for their labor by
the splendid prospec, which opened TO
their view. Many of the men. cautious
how they exerted themselves after full
meal. at high noon, amused themselves
with ooi,s and other games. Provision
was made for the horses, by the Commits.
sarv, who had hay hauled TO them.
The supper was served with general hi
larity. and rs the shades ofcvening came
on. and the wind whistled through the
trees, the new moon giving Il cool light
10 the mountain scene, big fire was
built up. around which we all gathered
and spent the time till about eleven
o'clock in singing, with the accompanl'
ment OF flute, &c. till one by one, most
of the company stole silently away to
test the novelty of sleeping under tents.
with mother earth for couch and boots
under the head, or brick in the hat for
apillow.
Many retired innocently, as we did, to
our places of repose, just weary enough
to slumber well, and anticipating quiet,
refreshing sleep, but alas. for human
calculations. We had no sooner settled
ou,sel, Is for good snooze, when ayoung
lady, whom VIC concluded To be dam sci
before morning, began rafting the dish
es just outside the tent, in close proximi-
~ Ia our heads. We only relate our OK
perience, but we understand 1t was that
of all. except that the most unwearied ut
tenlion on The part OF the young men was
bestowed upon the ladies tents in the way
OF driving down the stakes Tor fear the
tents would blow over, &c, the ground
being an excellent conductor of sound to
the heads OF those within. and calling
forth from them sundry remarks more
explosive than complimentary.
1t was noticed that there were many
early risers. the camp being asIir by four
O'Clock many OF the young ladies not know
iny hat TO make OF il that the sun was not
up. ~ unusual Was the phenomenon in
their daily experience. The ncxtinteres'-
in" thing for noyice>, was. 10 repair to
the brook and see the ladies' wash their
faces and arrange their toilets At dame
natures glass. Soon breakfast was an
nounced and eaten with suHto, fol there
were ,lnnii,s in proiusiuu, with baked
beans, fried trout. potatoes, &c, Tor some
of the favored ones, while all had tho
inyigora,ing appetizer OF mountain air.
The forenoon WAS spent IN ramb!ings
to and iro. fishing, berrying, quots and
other games, and after another meal, at
noon. the tent> were struck, the dishes
&c, packed, and the teams resorted to
again, aud welcomed by all, rs WEAKNESS
reigned supreme. An equally pleasant
ride home restored all 10 their normal
yigor-the universal testimony being that
il was one of the most enjoyable occasions
that could possibly be afforded to pleasure
seekers.
DEATH OF f. o. HAILE.-The news OF
the death Of T.. .. Halle at Austin, Texas,
has been received Mr. Halle was ma
tive of Waterford. and schoolmate and
life long friend of "Artemus Ward. y
;tn Ar,cuus he served An appreutice-