The Portland daily press., 1875-08-05
v. G. A. and p. G.


CAMP N. II. DANA, Aug, 4, 1875.
We neglected to mention that at the business
meeting yesterday, instead of the customary
vote of thanks to the retiring Commissary
motion was made that he be censured for divers
faults and shortcomings of his administration.
A lively and rather heated debate ensued. Now
you must know that the Commissary of the V.
G. A. is the best abused man in the commune
ty. The more faithful he is in the perform.
ance of his truly arduous duties the more liza
bic he is to be found fault with. 1t is under
stood that he is the target at which all the
shaft of wit may be freely launched, and if he
has not the tact to receive them in the most
perfect good humor. woe betide him! In the
present instance, everything that the magma
ton could rake up was brought against the late
incumbent, but fortunately he was equal to the
trying occasion, and the result was after run
ming the gauntlet as it were, his administra-
ton was fully approved by the club, and he
came off with flying colors.
Owing to the mishap to the tent during the
storm of yesterday. the sanitary committee, in
consideration of the age and physical condition
of some of the members, deemed that it would
hardly be prudent to make it our quarter for
the night and on their recommendation it as
resolved to throw ourselves on the hospitality
of Mr.. Strout, of the light house. He very
cordially rendered the shelter of his roof to the
members. The only question was that of space.
The house does not seem of large capacity and
the marvel was how he was to dispose of us.
All aBxiety on that score was soon set to rest.
We found that his apparently limited dwelling
was very much like an omnibus-and however
packed, there was still room for more. We are
indebted to him for passing very comfortable
night, which otherwise might not have proved
so agreeable, and the members, be assured, en-
joyed their retreat, with the wind and the waves
and the rain for a lullaby. Some of them, how
ever seemed in rather perplexed state of
mind, for frequently during the night our sum-
bers were disturbed by the query, now from
this room anon from that room-"What are
the wild waves sayin.?" Occasionally we
would hear murmured from some unsteady in
clined wakeful one, "Hush my dear, lie still
and slumber:" and similar soothing ditties.
If the storm has DISCONNECTED us somewhat,
we have been compensated by the grand spec
tacle presented oy the ocean breaking in thun.
der-tones upon the shore, and the boys are in
just the temper of mind enjoy it. Last even
ing as the Forest City passed the camp, wallow-
ing along half buried in the pillows, great
deal of commisseration was expressed for the
poor passengers, whose wretched condition we
could well imagine. We gave them cheer,
which we doubt if they heard. We noticed the
John Brooks too, this morning, ploughing her
way steadfastly along as if used to just such
kind of weather.
The out-odoor aspect this morning we must
confess is not very bright. In the absence of
Old SoPs beams we have to make our own sun
shine, and with the set now gathered about us
in the tent, there is a superabundance of the
article-you bet-and in good time here comes
fresh streak. All hail to thee ''Man of Ross!
Unexpectedly 'Billy" has made his appearance
from the Quaker City. His arrival was greet
ed with the heartiest cheers, as, borne on the
shoulders of some of the more enthusiastic, he
was brought into thetent, with all his blushing
honors thick upon him.
Owing to the turbulent state of old ocean but
little piscatory sport has been INDUCED in, yet
casting nay eye out of the back entrance of the
tent I see Lowell perched on the rocks, rod in
hand, with the spray dashing all around him.
1t is exceedingly doubtful if he succeeds in en-
trapping any spoil, for there is terrible COM
motion all along the coast.
We miss from our party few choice spirits
to-day. Miller reluctantly left us this morn
ing with the repeated assurance that, notwith-
standing the unfavorable state of the weather,
he had ''enjoyed every moment of his time.'
We would liked to have had him with us to-
day, for the weather seems to be inclined to be
more propitious for out o'-door sports. Knight
and his companion also took leave yesterday
afternoon with the promise, however, of re-
turning to-day, which we fear he will fail to
keep. He always brings such a stock Of spirits
with him we sadly miss his presence.
Our dinner to day was a merry one. The
lifting of the clouds operated favoraby on the
spirits of all, although through all the storm
each member managed to keep his up to fair
weather mark In the afternoon a game of
quoits was the order of the hour. All engaged
in it to get up an appetite for our final meal,
which came off in due time, after which the
tents were struck with the usual ceremonies. A
parting salute was paid to the worthy light
keeper when we embarked for home on board
the Zephyrus, all in joyful mood and we'll sat-
isfed with the observance of the Both anniver-
sary of the Club. PIC.