The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-07
CAMP WETHERBEE, Pleasant Gov

CAMP WETHERBEB, Pleasant Cove
August 6, 1872
Here We are once more on the sold camp
ground'-the old camp ground thronging with
associations of shade strolls and social chats,
of frollicking and forest feasts, of angling and
aquatic feats, of music, mirth and manly sports,
mosquito bites and midges stings There's al
liberation for you, with a fitting climax! The
Bard of Avon says: -- Gas
"To business that we love- we rise bctime,
And go to it with delight"
Before the growing of the cock this morning
the Veterans were astir and soon were to be
seen vending their way, full of glee to Custom
House wharf, where the steamer Express, Capt.
Oliver, was in waiting to receive Them and as
the sun arose was steaming down the harbor
with as jovial Il crowd as ever trod her decks
Your reporter is amazed at the wonderful
vitality manifested by the Veterans. More
than quarter of century ago, with more
litheness than We could now perform the act.
he remembers his leaping into the the rus3c
hay-cart, in which, ON the anniversary of this
morning, the Veterans were conveyed to their
camping ground on the Cape, some of
whom are with us to-day, and not a whit
OiuCi uoCo Ouc VI GHeul appear. Although
gray hairs and wrinkles show the march of
time, yet their hearts seem as fresh and as ripe
for fun and frolic as they were on that morn
ing when the "dew of youth" still fingered on
their brows This is as it should be. We all
of us too soon forget our youth, grow old too
fast. The true secret of happiness is to keep
the heart fresh, lusty and vigorous, and to
stave off until the last possible moment the
palsy of age. But truce to mora.izing.
In good time we reached this charming cove,
of which formal possession was taken in ac-
cordance with ancient usage After the pitch
ing of TENTS flag raising, etc., the next impor-
tant business was breakfast, for which Com
missary Neal had made excellent and abundant
provision. With whetted appetites-early ris-
ing and sea air had given ours a wonderfully
keen cdge-we awaited impatiently for the
summons, as now the aroma of the coffee-pot
tickled our olfactory nerves, and now the sput-
ter of the fry-pan beat upon our tympanum.
When at last it did come to use the language
of Peter Pindar:
"Dire was the clang of plates, of knives and forks
That merc'less fell like tomahawks at work."
Next to the enjoyment Of ones own eating is
that derived from beholding hearty eater 1t
would have done ysu good to witness the gusto
with which ''the gentleman from Ward Seven"
broke his fast We thought his buttons would
have broken loose before he got through. The
celebrity with which he cleaned and replenished
his plate was wonderful to behold. Plain prose
cannot do justice to his yesterdays achieve
ments. We must borrow from Byron:
''He fell upon whate'er was offer'd like
A orr ikaB
The gentleman who fills the official robes this
year wears them with the best possible grace
He is perfectly du fat in that dnnealiag pro-
cess which produces the happiest results, tenn
pering the spirits to the most enjoyable degree;
and he admirably maintains the enviable repu-
tation won by his ''illustrious predecessors.
AT 10 O'Clock A. M. the regular business
meeting of the Association was held in the
large marquee. On motion of HI. S. Edwards,
it was voted, that in memory Of their deceased
brother, Levi Wetherbee, the camp this year be
known as Scamp Wetherbee." The reading
of the records and the Treasurer's report fol-
lowed, after which the annual election of
officers took place. The following gentlemen
were elected:
Commissary-P. W. Neal
Secretary-Charles Cook.
Treasurer A. Merrill
Firemen-H. s. Edwards H. H. Lowell
Watermen-F. H. Cloyes, Charles Sampson.
Steward-W. A. Winship
p. S.-John L. Shaw.
Secretary Boston Branch-L. w. Knight
After the formal business was despatched,
the worthy Steward recited with much feeling
an original poem entitled ''HEN-oN' The
title was somewhat mystical to your reporter,
and the subject had relation to some foul affair
that took place some time ago between the
Steward and some members of the Association
The reading of the poem drew tears from all
eyes, especially from Brother Eaton, of Cam
bridge.
While the reading was in session, Capt John
Sterling, from Halfway Rock Light made his
appearance in the Cove, bringing with him
about barrel of cunners all neatly dressed for
the fry-pan. We think we never saw so hand
some lot of fish. Besides the cunners were a
lot of live Holsters, which will be made to do
duty in due time. The thanks of the Assoca-
ton were voted to Capt Sterling for his very
bountiful and acceptable present.
The camp on the first day was does not pre-
sent quite so lively an aspect as it does when
the members begin to get the chang of the
thing" The Veterans, however, being old
hands at the business, generally crowd as much
fun into the hour as it can well bear. If the
camp is more quiet this year, there has been no
lack of solid enjoyment and until dinner time
each one entered heartily into the pastimes i'll
cident to the occasion.
After glorious dinner all hands laid off for
comfortable time, acting upon the Doctors
suggestion that violent exercise after hearty
meal is very injurious. We think if you could
look in upon us just now you would envy us,
everything seems so cosy.
In the afternoon Capt Jones, in his yacht,
visited the Cove, bringing party of ladies,
who were in raptures with our gypsy life This
evenng'we shall probably have some Emusic"
to enliven us, as the choirs are getting their
voices in tune.
Judging from the slips of paper and the pen
ellis in the hands of the members, we presume
I the mail boat is about leaving, and that like
dutiful husbands dispatches are being prepared
Tor the loved ones at home The Commissary,
we understand, has sent orders on for fresh
supplies, although glance in his tent seems to
show great abundance of creature comforts
But the mail is about being made up and |
must close my hasty report Pic.
SAD ACCIDENT.-About o'clock last eve
ming horse attached to one of Brooks bread
carts took fright in Market square, and taking
to the sidewalk knocked down and run over
man named Quinn, shoemaker, who lives on
Washington street. He was very severely hurt
and was carried to his home, but the exact ex-