The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-06-15
For The Cecil Wing
CAMPING OUT AT LAKE GEORGE.
MEN-MUsIC ON THE wIND-A MERRY
FAMILY RUsTICATING--THE BENEFITS OF

MOONLIGHT ON THE LAKE-FEMALE OARS
MEN-MUsIC ON THE wIND-A MERRY
FAMILY RUsTICATING--THE BENEFITS OF
MOUNTAIN AND LAKE ATMOSPHERE.
The evenings, during the time we were
there, were among the finest | have ever
known. We were fortunate enough to have
moonlight for part of our stay Those
bright nights, when the water was shining
in the silver light of the moon, were most
inviting, and generally enticed our party
out from the quiet of the camp to enjoy
the water. The lake, at such times, would
be vocal with merriment and song. Par
ties, from whose hearts "dull care " seem
ed to have been entirely driven away,
would awaken the echoes of those grand
old hills that stood like grim sentinels over
the peaceful lake, until the shores seemed
peopled with as many and as merry hearts
as filled the boats gliding over the sivery
surface of the water. The smooth lake
would admit of young ladies rowing out by
themselves; and to those only accustomed
to seeing the sun Drowned arms of men
handling the oars, it was novel and not
uninteresting sight to find many passing
boat propelled by the less vigorous, but not
necessarily less skillful, hands of ladies,
and many were the times, when finding
ourselves alongside of such craft, we were
compelled to ply our oars with nearly all
the vigor we possessed in order to prove
our physical superiority the cunven
tionalities of the lake side company did not
forbid such a trial of speed and skill with
any boat near you, by whomsoever manned.
Many OF the parties were serenading the
boarding house people along the shores,
and some tasteful and exquisite music was
heard. A rather ludcrous affair occurred,
one evening, when our party were out upon
prearranged serenade. There were some
ladies IN our party, who remained on shore
at the " Mohicau House." and who gather
ed quite party of the boarders upon the
shore to enjoy our serenade. We had been
practicing for several days, and thought
ourselves well prepared for the entertain
ment. Leaving the camp we quietly row
ed over to the point selected, and, fearing
to lnlure the effect of our music by getting
too near, we anchored fully half mile out
in the lake, and sang away with all the
skill and pathos we possessed, for an hour,
when modestly fearing, if we went ashore,
that we could not bear the praise they
would give us, We as silently as we came,
rowed back to camp, expecting to hear of
we went to the hotel, the next day, we
found they had been una65e to lear as ut all.
since an off wind had carried the music the
other way.
| A short distance from our camp was
small island, enclosed by a wall and fence
1t was private property and had a Sum
mer residence upon it. The grounds were
cultivated in beautiful taste. and every
thing bore the stamp of refinement and
wealth. Upon one side, and running out
into the lake, was Il landing, where stood a
small cannon, which belched forth its harsh
salute, morning and evening, as the mail
| steamer Minnehaha' made her daily
| trips.
! At the time we were there, bridal party
was being entertained at this secluded re-
treat, which nature and art had combined
to make spot of rare beauty. They seem
ed to enjoy themselves to their hearts con
tent, and without being governed and
cramped by the set rules of fashionable
hotel life, such as held sway over the guests
of "Fort William Henry" at the head of
the lake.
The evenings were frequently spent in
| Innocent amusementS and pastimes, up
roarious laughter, in which Could be heard
the silver tones of female voices, fire.
quently sounded out over the water, upon
these calm evenings. We would sometimes,
under the cover Of the night row over and
lay on our oars under the shadow of the
stone WALL and listen to the music and en-
Joy their hilarity. They had a colored
servant, who would dance for them, with
banjo accompaniment, upon the uncarpeted
| floor, until their merriment would drown
the sound of his heavy shoes. And at