Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-12-01
Miscellaneous.
A Camp Meeting Idyl.

my needle, Draxy."
Draxy waited, her busy hands find
ing something TO do in the little pause.
The things on the table were straight
cned-the daguerr.otypes (it was the
best room) tilted more accurately on
their open covers. n minute speck Of
dust dislodged from the mantel-piece
all before the gentle ''click. click"
Of the needles ceased, and Mrs. Wilder
laid down her stocking.
The chickens-lct me see. 1t was
those six little broils of the speckled
hens was a thinking Of, and the
pcrper-and-salt roastcrs.' (Mrs. Wild
er viewed chickens from a purely
practical stand .po.nt.) That'll be
| enough, won't it.''
y don't know'-doubtfully-f
eat heap at camp meetin'."
so they do. Well, then, kill three
Of the black hens, and bake pie.
They'll make plenty.
Il guess So"
Business thus disposed of. Draxy
assumed chair and waxed coniiden-
tial.
"liow many of our folks is a-goin,'
Mrs. Wider
'lou and me. and Mr.. Wilder and
Nathan and Ellen, that's five. and
Lucy's six
Lucy. J.
"lcs. Mr.. Wilder said he guessed
she'd better, and Brother Parker plead
hard about it. He thinks she's old
enough TO get religion. and ought 10
have it, and her pa SAYS there's no
harm trying. only he won't have her
iiustered. | don't know what - say
bout it. myself, but guess pas right
And Mrs. Wilder ended with little
aigh.
Mr.. Parker, - There was con-
centrated and conspicuous snih in
DraNy voice. She said no more, and
IN another minute got up and left the
room. her errand accomplished. There
were few waste places in DraNy's life.
Satan might have lodged round her
for months without finding one idle
chlnk in which 10 practise his ncfa, ious
arts.
Pretty soon the door opened and
Lucy came in--a girl of seventeen.
with the shy beauty of wild doe in
her hazel eyes. The delicate cameo
like outline other face was full of an
expression of appeal. Not that there
was anything TO appeal against in her
life. the petted only daughter Of this
honest home. Some women possess
that look naturally, and before it,
when combined with youth and love
illness. the hearts of men go down like
nine-pins. Lucy As yet knew not the
value of her dover. but such know
ledge never fingers long.
Nv here have you been. dear."
Over to Esther's, mother. They're
beginning the camp-meeting cake, and
stayed to help beat eggs"
do tell | su, 'ose they're making
u great fuss, like all the rest Of the
folks:'
20, yes. Mrs. Robbins has killed
a turkey and eight pairs of chickens,
and tive pieces of beef boiled. and
Esther and Hepsy were making GIN
gerbread, and raised cake. and all
| sorts OF pies that you can think Of
mince and apple and custard' and Can
ada plum-I can't remember half"
Lands sake And who's going.
Lucy"
"Mrs. Robbins and the squire and
the girls, and James and his wife, and
aunt Mirey, and-here the happy, girl
ish voice sank a little, just little !;
only a close observer would have no.
ticed the intlection-'.and Kane"
''E.kanah. want to know. Well
it's time he got hold Of something
good, You'll have to help Draxy
make our pies, to morrow, dear. The
weather's splendid. l guess we're
going to have good week"
This camp-meeting, abont which all
AmmonOosuc was in a stir, was a
yearly affair, planned for and antici-
pated with eager and invariable pleas
ure. Alter the heat Of the summer
and the toll of the harvest, when the
hay was in, the potatoes stored, the
corn and corn-shucks safely housed
when the rye and wheat had gone 10
the mill, and the '.boarders" to
their city homes-came, in the beauti-
full September weather, this holiday,
which, half religious exercise,
brought neighbors together, frightened
the links OF hurch-brotherhood and
old friendships, and gave to body and
soul alike refreshment. But oh, what
q different thing it was to the different
people who we're looking forward to it !!
Mrs. Wilder and other good mat
rons of her stamp, viewed it as a
species Of sober jollitication, combining
much good cheer with some comfort
able preaching and praying. A time.
too, for the exhibition Of notable
housekeeping-ofpie pie-crust and fatted
fowls, which, duly partaken Of, might
impart TO the occasion certain tooth
some sOlemnity.
Brother Parker of the Pemigewasset
Conference, on the contrary, regarded
it as a crucible in which souls should
be melted and changed four days
opportunity, during which the doors
of heaven should stand open for