The Portland daily press., 1875-08-04

CAMP IN. IL. DANA, Aug, j, 1919.
The present being year more than usually
devoted to celebrations, and this being the 3Oth
anniversary of the Club, extra interest was
manifested in the occasion, and an effort made
to have all the non resident members with us.
A larger number than usual is accordingly in
attendance, and among them we have the pleas
| ure OF welcoming Mr. John Miller of Boston,
one OF the original six members, and who has
not met with the Association since its first ex-
cursion. Eaton of Cambridge, and Smith and
Pray of Portland three of the Immortal SIX"
| are also with US, the latter being the sole one
who has never missed AN anniversary.
AT a very early hour this morHing-soon af-
ter four oclock-the members began to muster
at Mr.. Pray's residence, whence thirty years
ago the original party started in hay-rack for
our present camping ground, in the vicinity of
| the light on Portland Head. That there might
| be no installing the house, some one had afix-
| ed sign to the door-'V. G. AS Coffee
| House." The inscription was worthily bestow-
| ed as the luscious cups of coffee dealt out to
the members by the lady of the house abund-
| antly testified.
| AT half past five O'clock with a cheer that
dIOusCu thC VIC otdIGcu, kdWT0uC6
handling the reins On our way cheers were
given as We passed the house of Mr.. George
| Small, who displayed the stars and stripes as
| usual in honor of the Clubs birthday, also the
customary round to the veteran Captain Wal
den.
AS We reached the camp ground we found
the pioneers of the night bsfore standing in
solemn silence, pointing with an air of mystic
ry to a large placard, bearing the inscription,
''Who trod on the eggs?" This demonstration
was made on the supposition that the long alb
sentee, the gentleman from Boston, was with
us. AS he did not accompany us, that egg
did not hatch
The ride cut was decidedly raw and uncom-
Portable, but hot breakfast soon made all
things right. At the usual hour the business
meeting was held. The reading of the records
of the last annual gathering caused much
hearty laughter for its humorous points. Fol-
lowing this came the election of officers. We
append the list: Commissary, William A. Win
ship; Vice Commissary, G. o. Leach; Tressur-
er, J. A. Merrill; Secretary, H. H. Lowell;
| Secretary Boston Branch, II. S. Edwards; Fire
men, Charles Cook, F. A. Leavitt; Watermen,
[. w. Ntdl, OOuu L. SHAW IOOdtO OuC6T, T..
| P. Staples
Before the meeting, however, we had the
pleasure of welcoming the genial "Lucius'' and
his friend Mr.. Tarbell, from Boston, and Mr..
a. M. Smith of Portland. Their arrival added
not little to the hiarity of the party, which
addition was very opportune, for soon after the
rain which had been threatening, commenced
to fall, and very shortly it came down like
second deluge, while it blew great guns from
the northeast. In about the worst of the storm
the ridgepole of the tent gave way, letting the
tent partly down. What, with the bowling of
the wind, roaring of the sea, pelting of the
rain and Tapping of the canvas, things appear
ed lively in camp for while, and on the whole
rather dubious. But after while damage
were repaired, and all hands set to work to
make the best of matters. The V. c. AS are
not the men to be influenced by trifes, and
though the storm may give them an outward
soaking it cannot dampen their spirits
Among the incidents of the forenoon was
the reading of poem, said to be "communi-
cated'' by the late Josiah Lord Thomas. 1t
was exceedingly interesting. very pointed and
pathetic, and brought tears to more than one
eye.
You may be sure that the rain did not injuri-
o9sly effect our appetite, and at the dinner ia
BILE full justice was done to royal clam chow
der, gotten up as only Winship knows how to
get up such savory dish. The table was grac-
ed as usual with little MabePs floral offering,
for which the customary vote of thanks was
passed.
The wet weather of course keeps us tent
bound. and lessons the number of pleasant in
cidents we might otherwise have to report. We
are hoping the storm will be over before to-
morrow, although we must confess that just
now the weather presents very unpromising
aspect-unpromising that is, of anything but
rain. Yet, rain or no rain, blow high or blow.
low, the Veterans are out for a time, and a
good time they will make of it, you may rest
aSSurnd PRO