Litchfield enquirer., 1881-08-25
One Day at Bantam.

The party was unQer way TUT tno ia0o os 'ou o'clock in the morning. Where they slowed themselves away nthe carriage was mys- tery. One could sympathize heartily with the children, for it is well known fact that they can be squeezed in anywhere, without its being necessary to consult their comfort Madam, the General, marshalled her forces at last, including several baskets, numerous paper parcels and load of shawls and wraps, on Bantam's classic strand, under the shelter of the storm-worn banner at the Island House, and it was found that she had provided for our s'feast of reason," ''Tbe Swiss Family Robinson. and Owen Meredith's Poems"
 We stood on the dock. watching gay par ty of young girls, charming to behold in their big, picturesque hats and sailor dresses, embark for their newly established camp on the end of Marsh's Point Then we too, grew adventurous, and chartering boat which the owner kindly assured the Champion Clumpist was .'the best boat on the lake, and you conduit turn it over if you tried, no ma'am, we directed our way toward two camps whose inhabitants we had every reason to be- lieve would receive us with open arms, sole ly, of course, from regard for our own estima- ble qualities, with sublime ignoring of the delicacies contained in our baskets.
 Fancy, then, our feelings at receiving no answer to our halloos on approaching, and on finding deserted camp and atentinhabited on- ly by white kitten, fast asleep, of which the Sister took immediate possession.
 At Camp Echo, next door, we were more fortunate. finding hospltable host, who gave us straightway ''thc freedom of the city," putting US in entire control, and telling us that the other boys, six or eight of them, had gone for little stroll to the top of Mt. Tom, which looms up, big and blue, among it's less ambitious brothers. The aspect of that camp half an hour after would have convinced any observer that love of the 'sweet do-noth- ing" IS not confined to sunny Italy. Three camp cots, made luxurious with blankets, and each with lazy occupant, were stretched beneath the trees. The hammock, too, was filled, and the remainder of the party were lying about in various comfortable if not grace ful attitudes on rugs and shawls The chil- dren, too full of delight to be quiet minute, were skirmIshing about, running to report to us their wonderful discoveries. Goldilocks at last coming to grief, by choosing mud stead of terra firma on which to set her lit tie foot, was obliged to put into port for re pairs, and lie on the rug with her shoe in the sunshine for at least ten minutes, to her great . disgust The General and the Clumpist went off together on an exploring expedition, inspecting, among other objects of interest, the ice-box. What was the exact condition of the eatables contained therein deponent sayeth not, but on the Clumpist's face were written unspeakable things, and the General declined, mildly yet firmly, to allow the camping butter dish to appear upon our table.
 If the table cloth was composed of sundry pieces of brown wrapping paper, and the ta- ble only mother earth, who could ask for goodlier display of viands than were there set forth9 And to give the true camp flavor to our repast, our host set before us 8 tempt ing dish of fish, which he himself had caught and cooked. The time flew only too rapidly. What can be more utterly restful and delight ful than lying in hammock, of whose secu- rity one is sure. watching the sunshine, al. ways spending and never spent, make it's way between the thatch of leafy boughs, and falling in patches upon the brown tree-trunks; on Goldilocks yellow head, on the scarlet shawl on which her pretty mother is lying, on the xuh ta yUh i'd nf a happy life9 Between the trees gleams the dancing water and the sunny blue of the sky The fresh wind sends the waves with sooth- ing tapping against the beach. A whites sail ed boat scuds by, complementiug the picture, and tent life seems the very poetry of exist ence. Who whispers hints of rising at five to draw from their watery' homo the perch and bass which must make the morning meal, of washing dishes with cold water, of rainy days and chilly nights, of mosquitoes and gnats. and smoky fire which refuse to burn? Lying here, we can say with the apostle, 'none of these things move me-"
 There was much desu tory conversation upon variety of interesting tories. The Champion Clumpist and Madam the General made vague but delightful plans for the future aided by wise suggestions from Pink, the Sister and the Scribe. Miss Prudence won- dered, with dreamy eyes, why there should be any need of ouse-keeping. The children . found charming play house and ran about contentedly.
 In the midst of 1t all, the trampers returned weary and a-hungered, but radiant with satis. faction at having been able, by climbing lofty tree on the crest, taking a trifling walk ofa dozen miles or so, and pull of two. to enjoy the extensive view from the sumrlt of Mt Tom. They were profuse in their regrets at missing the day in our society, and offered to turn out ot their tent, if we would spend the night at camp. The thought of moon- light row was tempting, but we resisted it, and pulled back slowly across the lake, stop ping to gather lillies by the way. The Cham- pion and the General gave most sage advice and parting counsel to the big, blue-shirted, brown-faced boys, in whom they claim a special interest.
 So, in the late afternoon we climbed old Litchfeld Hill. having spent day to be re. membered for lifetime, and heartily wish ing that we, too, could be ''tenting to night. {"
 And "Owen Meredith" and the "Swiss Family Robinson ?" We did not read word of them. DELEorus