Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-01
Ocaa,i.usd from sr.t p.sel

(Coatnued from 6rst page1
skiff near by, and started after him, but in
his esrneetness he broke one of his oars, AND
pursued and pursuer were on an equal foot
ing. But Captain Charlestown took in the
situation, and springing up the rocks. he
made his way to the wharf at the other side
of the cove with astonishing rapi dity, and in
less time than it takes to think it, was in
has own boat and away, succeeding in cut.
ting of and capturing the prisoner. The at
fair was 30 well planned and carried out. was
done 90 quickly, and all parties entered into
il with % much earnestness, that had the
whole been real, it could hardly have created
more excitement, and had the prisoner actul-
ly been on trial for high misdemeanor, he
could not have looked more disappointed or
more ugly as he was brought back. | really
piticd him when he was brought back.-B. ]
THIS was BY far the best point of the court
martial. On his return the prisoner was
bucked and securely tied and the trial pro-
ceeded, but he planned another escape, which
was partially carried out, and only failed be
cause "PlacIdity," who was aiding him,
managed TO cut her thumb instead of the
rope that held him. The trial was finished
IN due time, there being some tall testimony
given by witnesses who were ''aSseverated'
to say what they pleased "without fear, ia
vor, or regard for truth As for instance,
one lady testified that she had knswn the
prisoner for fifty years, and had 50 much
confidence in his integrity, that had she
twenty five daughters, she should not object
70 his marrying them all at once, while one
of the veterans testified that he never knew
him TO perform decent action or harbor
decent thought The prisoner was found
guilty OF all the charges and specifications
and sentenced to "be stripped of his uni
form, branded on the forehead with the let
tiers IT. c. and drummed out of camp y
In obedience to this sentence, he was dressed
in the garb of q woman, branded, and headed
by Harry beating tin pan, and accompanied
by q corporal's guard, was marched to Show
began and left to the tender mercies of the
"Skowheganites," who catching the spirit of.
the occasion, set him to splitting wood, while
enc Of them poured into his ear complete
geographical lesson on Skowhegan.
There was = rich circus one night. 1t
came up spontaneously. 1t had been quiet
evening after a rainy day. A couple had
been promenading in front of the tents all
evening, others had been chatting quietly in
the hammocks, an effsrt to get up sing had
failed for want of life, and an attempt to
build fire to enliven up the scene, cheer the
hearts and dry the clothing, had likewise
besn failure, the wood being too wet to
burn. Twas the nearest dead hour or
two the camp saw. A thunder shower came
up, when vivid flash and quick deafening
thnndereus roll sent st. Cecilia into the tent
with pretty little yell Ave Maria wasn't
afraid Of thunder and lightning, though
b.. We ''crswled in" one after another,
in listless sort Of manner, and there was a
prospect of very quiet night. All were in
bed and al was still, when suddenly some
one sang out from one tent to the other
"Artemas p and the answer came back,
"Halloa % Then followed in rapid success
sion, questions and answers "Going fish
ing p "Ycs." 'In the merningr' .'Yes y
Early r. "Yes." "Bub going r' eyes"
"Judge?' "Yes." "Wheezey p "Yes.''
"Got q boat r' Yes "Line? 2" Eyes"
"Bait r YES" "Going to catch soue ?"
"Yes.n "All right !" IAN right :" GOOD
night " "Good night y Then another
started : "Quartermaster Cheeky ~
"Halloa." SCOT any hard tackP" Yes
"SlippersP" SIZES. "Potatoes P" "Yes. !"
"Onlons ?" "Yes." clippers P" "Yes"
KNIVES P" "Yes--no, mol" "Plates P'
eyes, .'Kettlesp' "Yes." "Wash dish P''
..Yes.n "Coffee pot p "Yes." "Teapot ?"
"Yes, Bulbs little one." "pork P" YES"
"Beans Pr "Yes." And 30 on through
the whole catalogue of quarternaster's
stores land more too.-B. till at last
came -.Got everything ?" SIZES, got every
thing" go, we've got good quartermas-
ter" This walked up the whole party, and
for two hours Or more there rang out on the
midnight air back and forth between the
two tents, quick and sharp questions and
answers Of all sorts and kinds mingled free
ly with clear cut repartee and witty sayings;
when all else failed for moment, ringing
the changes on the original dialogue, first to
one and then to another Of the piscatorially
Inclined quartette, or joking the quarternas-
Ger, causing ~ much hearty, whole-souled
laughter Is could well be crowded into the
Same space of time, and not only making
fun for our own party, but for other listen
ers more remote, who enjoyed 1T as heartily
~ did the participants. Thus was the night
saved from being a dull one, and many OF
the good things said during those two hours
will long be remembered by every one of the
party, all of whom considered it the "boss
racket OIL the entlre ten nights.
With thorough enjoyment and absolute
rest, for the entire change from every day
life would have been rest even il we had
been active all the time the hours passed
rith wonderful rapidity, and the end came
long before 1t was welcome. We had camp
fire the night before leaving, but though tue
fire burned brightly, and the tenters gath
cred around it socially and the singers sang
freely, it lacked spirit The feeling that that
was the last OF the pleasant evenings at Camp
Comfort (at least that year, for we had al
ready commenced to talk about repeating the
AFFAIR the next season), was too strong for un-
bounded hilarity or enjoyment, and but little
effort was made TO keep the fire burning But
70 the veterans it brought back memories Of
campfres under different circumstances, and
as these welied up before them, they cared
little for their surroundings, or even fJr.t the
singing, save when their voices joined in
Rally Round the Flag" Tramp, Tramp,
Tramp" or some Of the old camp songs. Tie
last morning was beautiful one giving each
one the thought, 1--WE came here just a week
too soon" but we bowed to the inevitable.
Twenty-six broke camp that morning (0ur
Next Neighbors had left US two or three
da 20 bsforpl and -. Oh Al =, g.. -a.x.o.,