Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-15
4 Cdmpin0-Out Trip.

and ages, including ourself, our better
half, and pocket edition, with Sarato-
Ca trunk, filed with two days rations be-
sides six tents and camping.out para.
phernalia. They selected "Old Sygotch"
TOR an encampment---distan about SIX
teen miles. 1t is in the town of Wood
stock, and is one of . range of mountains
extending for miles from east To west.
with Spcckled Mountain in Franklin
Plantation and Mt. Zircon near by. We
pitched tents right under the brow OF Sy-
gotch, in plain skirIing the beautiful
Pond, known as Big Concord-Little
Concord Pond being a short distance
casterly There is some fine scenery,
and rough riding on the way, We pass
through North Paris, getting fine view
on the ridge, and down through portion
of Sumner. into The back part OF Wood
stock. Here we find Mr.. Benjamin Davis
Il Son, with their accommodating iami.
lies, ready to afford us every conyen-
fence. The elder Mr.. Davis came into
the region about 30 years ago, and clear
cd up the land and built house. An
opening had previously been made by
Mr.. Seth Benson. OF Paris, who cleared
away several acres and put up small
house, but never occupied il himself
This point is eight miles from Bryants
Pond, Rumiord corner and DiXfield. The
Davises have a good farm. generally cut
ting 10 TO 90 tons of hay. This year
they have about n three quarters crop
Their corn. potatoes and grain look thriy-
ing. Old Sygotch has been a place OF re-
sort tor blueberrieS Tor years, and there
has been good fishing in the brooks and
ponds. Some years ago. MI. Davis, go!
some pickeIcl from Labrador Pond, in
Peru, and stocked the two Concord
Ponds, and Tor many years they we're
very plenty. Within sight, halt way up
the opposite mountain, is the residence
OF Dir. c. d. Bradbury, recently of Buck
field. When the district WAS n wilder.
ness. il was noted Tor having good
sch, ols, and it is said more teachers were
raised in it than in any other district in
the County.
Having pitched our tents, at noon, and
unpacked, we parto0k OF lunch, prepar-
atory TO our dinner. which was to he
more elaborate and ut more fashion
able hour. Meanwhile some of the men
started for the brooks aud ponds, 10 get
fish, AM the ladies and Young gents for
the mountains. with mugs in the proper
ton OF one Tor every three persons
present, to gather blueberrieS Ina cou
pie OF hours the mountain party hastily
descended, being admouished hy distant
thunder, of the approach of rain. Some
trout are secured, the camp fires are
blazing, and tea and coffee ale soon
stcaming Potatoes are boiled and the
trout fried; and all sit down to I'M open
air meal. with keen appetitcs and plenty
of goodies. well favored with the spice
Of fun and meriment The clouds gent
~ drop upon us, obliging us TO gather up
our dry goods and groceries, and flee to
our tents. where we concluded our meal
in pieces. There was not rain enough
TO Inconvenience us; and soon outdoor
sports commenced in earnest, and wero
kept up till twilight, when all hands
gathered together, and the musical por
ton, including neatly all, united their
voices in melodies, witty and grave, Till
the older ones began 10 grow sleepy.
and seek the places in their tents. where
they fondly hoped they were to enjoy re-
freshing slumbcrs. Alas what mistaken
beings The sound Of rcvelry" is
soon heard A band OF young marau
ders visi, the tents, and with a care be-
yond their years, commence driving
down the stakes more firmly-which
stakes being ineonveniently near the ears
OF the inmates. convey the sounds very
aculrly. This over, little singing,
Tor LULLABY" is INDUCED in, when one
accidentally slips, in the darkness, and
comes tumbling on to two or three of
the sleepers; then the tent is chained
down" like the Tip Top House on Mt.
Washington. toplevent its blowing over;
one end OF the chain, however, being
loose, and allowed TO slat around freely.
What next? When one is fairly aroused
from 4 drowsy state, his curiosity is alive
TO watch the inventive genius of outside
friends, as fertile minds concoct new de-
vices for mischief. And so it goes on till
tired nature gains prominence, and the
camp becomes still. A few flee to the
barn, are discovered, and ingloriously
brought back. A couple of veterans,
who had seen enough of the "tanted
field" secured beds in the house; and,
ashamed Of it, were caught, early in the
morning. rubbing hay seed into their
hair, to give The appearance of sleeping
on hay! The galivanting of the young
ladies was done Brown, for which the
Paris boys are well noted Young Ar.
thur VAS agreeably offsh-ous. while Alb
bot spoiled both his paper cuffs, in dip
ping up, from the brook, small fry, to