Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-10

| Camp.Life ut ''Punsters Paradise"
| To the Editor of the Free Press and Times
| 1t Is always safe TO appeal to one of the
instincts of human nature, and ranking the
almost universal desire for respite from
| care and toll among the woods and lakes as
one Of the strongest of natural impulses, |
| venture to place before your readers a short
account of our "camp-life at Punsters' Para
| disc"
singular name for a camp, is it not :?
But, in spite of all soberer considerations,
that soabriqtd has imprinted itself on our
minds as clearly and deeply as the seal upon
wax. Perhaps the breath of cedar, pine and
hemlock is a rich intoxicant perhaps the
very foam Of the wind-tossed bay flung its
prophetic elixir into our hearts perhaps the
summer sky was too deep cup, the summer
sunshine too delicious wine be it as it
may, no bon rirdHt ever scattered such scin-
tilations of mirth, as fell from the lips of each
member of our jolly party From sunrise
till sunset from gloaming till midnight I;
from twilight-dawn till day, the inexhausti-
BILE stream of merriment gushed forth Like
rich tonic, it inspired its own vagaries.
Our lips could not open, but the expectant
laugh gurgled apace A remark with no
tinge OF fun in it, was like white light in the
rainbow and even then, such magnetism
of fiery splendor surrounded it, that its
paleness was pitifully yelled in fold on fold of
alternating sun and mist. Perhaps speci-
men or two would be dpropoS
Coming through belt of undefbrush, l..
remarked, This must be the primeyal for
est n. replied, at is surely the prime
erH :"
n and L. were clambefing up some steep
rocks. With bated breath, l.. managed to
calculate, This is "a foreign climb (clime) to
me :"
X. took drink Of W I'm milk, saying
"Oh this milk Is boss" etc, etc.
Having, as | trust, fully justified the sin
gular title with which this sketch is intro
duced, will advance step by step to def
mite conclusion, selecting from the volumin-
ous notes with which am provided such
items as may prove most interesting to your
readers. But first, l feel called upon to say
a few words in favor of our camping ground
and its courteous proprietor. Near the
southern end OF Malletts Bay, is very beau
tliul peninsula, which has been fitted up by
its owner, Mr.. Columbus Thompson. espe-
cially for picnic and camping parties.
very neat little sleeping and cooking house
has been built for the free use of any party
which will hire, at least, two of Mr.. Thomp-
sons fine boats, at the merely nominal price
Of 70 cents per day. Although We we're COM
iortably accommodated by oTr cwn tents. we
frequently made use of the house and stove
during the daytime, and can testify to their
excellent fitness. A three-mile ride from the
Mallett's Bay House brings one TO this de
hghtful retreat. Fine walks fine fishing,
and fine views render il a paradise to puri-
tan, as well as punster.
One week We fingered in that beautiful
spot. l will close my sketch with few in
cIdents of each days life.
July %. All aboard at n. m., ladies' and
elders bowling along by the Lake View road
while 1--WE boys, mounting ..shank's mare.
trudge along, after the baggage wagon" by
the old Shipman road. Arrived first and got
one tent up before W. II. LIS chargers
brought along the remainder of the party.
Merry greetings, and rural lunch, under
the great 'dining tent" Fixed things up in
the afternoon. In the evening, We young
people" went berrying, with good success.
Tired but the novelty drove sleep from our
eyes Punned till midnight.
JulyI. A day of rowing first, over to
the Bay House, before breakfast After our
morning meal, three of us took boat and
went trolling. Caught small pickerel, and
threw him back again. Took boat and |
went bathing. Whole party of young folks |
rowed to Cave Island and back. Dinner at 3 |
a l.
Colchester. Made II huge bonfire, which |
they answered. in bed at 0p. III. /; slept |
soundly.
July %. The ''men-folks" went fishing, |
at n. m, and caught u fine black bass,
weight about 81 pounds. A sweltering day, |
occupied by scolding each other until We got |
real Jolly, and then making some hot, heavy |
puns. Two of our party went home in the |
evening (elders). Their places were filled |
10y an equal number Of visitors.
July 2G. Depression dissipated Rowed
out and caught another pickerel. Home to
breakfast While one of our party was en-
gagged in unfurling flag from the 'top-most
TIP" of the highest tree on the point, some of
us took boat and went up to Alallett's creek
for water-lilies. The girls rowed up-dont
say the boys were lazy. now We couldn't
help ourselves they ,rould do it And they
but lilies and brought them to camp. Took
a warm walk after breakfast, and came home
to find S,rct quests added to our number
How welcome they were (for they brought
such nee cool beverages, hrd butter, lis-
cult summer squash, etc.) No vacant place
ut the supper-tabc. as usual At o'clock
We took moonlight row,-u cary small pdT-
lies ; All the romance. the poetry. the
halmy silence We sang across the waters
to each other, and from miles away the sweet
reply would come Alone, yet not alone
Home through the path of moonlight We
had no other guide, nor wished one.
July y. Slept late. and woke sadly, fer it
was farewell day. Talked and planned till
dinner. No puns made. At 3 p. m. the
coach came and when IT was out of sight,
five disconsolate boys might have been seen
tryingto assaugc their grief with muddy coffee
and dry crackers. Camp breaking did you ever
experience IT. gentle reader? All the excite
mcnt which swectcned hardship is gone.
dull reaction comes and with nerves al
ready shocked 10y copinus dranghts OF IN
coffee, blIstcrcd hands and faces.
aud queiulous regrets, Is 1t any wonder that
dny is a sad day? No! but 1t
is only sad because 1t is the terminus of IL
happy experience. Sorrow Is never positive.
1t Is merely the chasm from joy to JOY
July ~. Hand packing day. Included
among our effects, We are proud to mention
II siX-pound pike, dressed and salted. While
Whiting for the baggage wagon, we attempted |
to blast "il piece nt rock, IN which II vein
of silver is reported To- lie. We dipped "a
string in whnl,-oll and scattered powder upon
it. for fuse but the wind blew so strongly, |
that, although We fired the tram several times,
II could not reach the blast. \ hight ram |
after which We struck the three tents and |
transferred them to the shore. At y. m
our team arrived. aud we badc Camp Pun
ster's Paradise asorrowiul goodbye. Reach |
cl our homes in the city ut Il p. m, having |
walked the nlnc miles in less than two hours. |
Very respectfully yours,
PUNSTEE
Tue RI>E IN Coal. - Previous to the |
strike Of the collcrs IN Pennsylvania, it Is |
said, there was on hand supply in the
wholesale market Of 900, 900 tuns-just 10 |