Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-09-02
[COMMUNICATED.l

DEAR CLARION"
Perhaps you would like to hear the ad-
ventures that befell fishing party last Mon
day =? "Skies were bright and hearts were
light" when we started from Graceham fol
the banks of the Monocacy. The first sec
ton, personally conducted by DR.. J. W.
Miller while waiting at Rocky Ridge for the
second, made an inspection Of the creamery
and found it very interesting to watch the
evolution of butter. Everything is worked
by steam, and the dairymaids are all men.
Natures gradual processes are ton slow
for them here, no waiting for the cream to
separate from the milk of its own accord
they have machine to do all that, without
loss of time We could not, at first find
out the principle Of its working. although i,
looks very simple. A big black cylinder, with
two spouts, out Of one drops cream, out OF
the other runs skim milk. One suggested
centri fugal motion, another ventured specific
gravity but the Doctor muttered something
about "internal commissions" His diagnO
sis must have been correct because we saw
his fee afterwards, In the shape Of u roll OF
butter.
We "sized up the churn without any
trouble. 1t is filed with cream, and whirl.
ed around by steam. the butter is just natur-
ally obliged 10 come. Then we caught on
to the butter worker, round table with a
big rolling pin, that can be raised, or lower
ed at pleasure. fixed above II. When the
butter is taken from the churn. it is spread
on the table. The roller comes down with a
thud, and punches, and squeezes, and fiat
tens out that butter till there isn't drop of
of milk left in it. Last of all, 1t is moulded
into beautiful golden bricks, and packed in
icc.chests for transportation.
We concluded our tour by getting weigh.
ed on the milk -scales. Just think ofweigh-
ing milk We always thought measuring
was the only orthodox way. 1t is strange
but true, that the richest milk weighs the
lightest Our fcatherweights, hearing this.
made personal application Of the fact, and
now consider themselves the cream Of the
company.
As there was nothing clee for us TO inves-
,iga,e we pushed on to Monocacy, where
We found the encampmcnt Of the knights
of Rest" They had evidently been warned
of the threatened Invasion, for all seemed
ready for dress parade.
Well, the order of the day was fishing !;
so the Doctor said, and he Immediately
started of to whoop up the coy and game
some bass As he selected the sunniest,
muddiest, wccdiest spot within mile, the
whole Amszonisn corps rebelled, and re-
treated to the refreshing shade, and inviting
hammocks of the camp.
A plessanter place would be hard to find
Great, spreading trees, like part Of the
forest primeval. no underground, except q
hawthorn bush, full of natural toothpicks,
fright in front of the dining tent.) an open
field at the left, the deep woods at the right
the shining waters of the MonWacy in front
Indeed, an ideal camping ground. The do
nestle arrangements were beautifully sinh
pie A black pot symmetrically suspended
over blazing fire, frying pan gracefully
hanging on tree, a handy axe, the nearest
fence in state of picturesque decay. made
us feel sure that our civilization, with it's
modern Inconvenience, was q failure, and
camping out the only rational way to keep
house.
So much for the camp, now for the camp
crs. FIRST, the chaplain, who carried his arm
in sling for week. Some person unkindly
limited that he invalidcd himself IN sheer des
pcration, after three days, detail at wash
ing dishes This is not true. 1t WAS en-
trely accidental, and happened during an
illustrated lecture he was giving, on the ref.
ormatlon Of convicts. The Chaplain's
brother is a young man with a reprehensi-
bic habit of talking base ball, when its sew
en.up, ana calling = misdeal just when his
opponents have made four. He ought to be
suppressed. He thinks Blue Dick" as
played in Arkansaw, the most exciting and
fascinating game he knows and wants to
teach all his friends, but they are going to
organize for protection.
Mr.. K. Is q genuine Nimrod but not find.
ing much game worthy Of his lead, has to
practice on snakes and frogs and such small
deer. There is no discount on the coffee he
makes though, and to see him boil eggs, is a
liberal education IN camp cookery. Mr.. N.
is fond of hunting too, but his favorite game
is out Of season. don't know exactly what
cllertwiches are like, but he can tell vow all
about them. l believe he once caught a
bag full.
Mr. Secretary has good record IS ped.
cstrian. He has made it from Graceham
to the camp inside Of fifty minutes. His
only fault is an absorbing passion for DOM
noes. He has been known to play from
morn till dewy eve" He sings tenor, and
perfers Bryant's poetry to all other. His
brother has taste for natural history
Swapping turtles in their native haunts, rs
we'll Ms IN his neighbours hammock, are his
favorte study. Last but not least comes
Schl-, the completest angler Of them all.
Didn't he catch an eel yard and halflong!
When the hoot-owls and wildcats made
night hideous along the Monocacy who but
he valiantly guarded the camp! We must
not forget George. George is very good
horse, though some what absent minded at
times, as when he walked out of the shafts
on the banks of Owens Creek. On one &C.