Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-03-25
CHAPTER II.
THE SUGAR CAMP.

mere IS WllU ana SURFING romance
aboat Sugar Camp. It's large and
cracking fires, throwing out a GENIAL
warmth far and wide; the huge cal
drons suspended on poles, steaming,
Kissing and singing with their bubblng
contents, the wooden handled clippers
and skimmers hanging from neigh
boring boughs, the old barrels and
capacious troughs filed with sap, the
little cabin covered with bark and
lined with straw, and the thick volumes
Of smoke hanging like curtains over
the surrounding trees, all create an
interest more intense and thrilling
than can be found in scarcely anything
else.
The camp of Colonel Sanford was
one answering very well to the above
description. 1t was located upon
little flat, among a group of tall sugar
trees, whose branches almost meet
over it as if for its protection, and on
its northern and western sides the
ground ascended with a gentle ac-
clivity, sufficient to ward off the bleak
winds from those quarters. The pre-
extensive and in better order than is
common IN such places, and the camp
and its attendants appeared to have
put on their holiday dresses in antici-
patton Of the visit Of our party. The
visitors were warmly welcomed, and
after tasting the syrup in all its var
ious stages between sap and sugar,
costly seated themselves wherever
fancy or convenience dictated. The
lively Jest, the witty repartee, passed
gaily around, and the ringing laugh
echoed through the groves. AL
seemed happy, everything about them
underwent a close survey, many ques-
tions were asked and fully and prompt
" answered. The young gentlemen
had all been perfectly initiated in the
various appendages pertaining to
Sugar Camp, and also in the various
process necessary in sugar making.
These were all details at length, and
the various lectures which were given
were satisfactorily elucidated by nu-
merous experiments. The attention
of some of the party was attracted TO-
ward several large baskets which
stood mysteriously covered just with
in the cabin; all curiosity as to their
contents was soon gratifed, as under
the direction Of Mary Sanford they
were removed to some rude tables
which had been Just erected.
This reminded all that it was near
their accustomed hour for dining, and
prompted by appetites freshened by
pure air and healthful, exercise, the
girls were soon busily engaged arrane.
ing their rural dinner. Let us glance
at them for a moment. Who is that
tall and noble looking girl standing at
the further end of the tables near
Mary Sanfol d, assisting in every thing
going on, and to whom all seem to
look for advice? See. she has
turned around to repair the apron tie
Of little Alice Lee, which had been
broken; how quickly and neatly has
she fixed it and retied the knot, with
it's bows and streamers, and how effec
tionately she receives the kiss which
is rendered in payment. Why, every
body knows her! That is Clara Fish
er, effectonately greeted by all the
little ones as Aunt Clara, and most
highly esteemed and loved by all her
acquaintances. Her father resides in
that neat two story house in the east
ern outskirt of the village; he owns
more property than any man in town,
but is hcpelessly crippled and seldom
gets far from his house His wife died
when Clara was in her fourteenth
year, leaving a son and another
daughter almost in their infancy,
since which time the charge of the
children and all domestic concerns
have been fully lntrusted to Clara,
and we'll has she discharged that
trust. Reader, wouldst thou see a
pattern for housekeeping, call at Mr..
Fishers; the day and hour is not ma
terial. Wouldst thou see the mother
and sister blended together IN perfec-
ton, call on Clara when her brother
and sister are present. Wouldst thou
see tender and effectionate daugh-
ter, witness her fathers beaming smile
at her approach, even in his mos
faithful moments. Would you see {
finished lady, form an acquaintance
with Clara. That she has heart tht
sick bedside of every poor family il
the vicinity can loudly testify. d,
you ask why she has never married
Simply because she chooses not to
The gossips of the neighborhood hav'
predicted that she will die an old maid
and among some she had received tn
appellatioE. lit is her wish, so le
!, it be. And may many more just lik'