The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-22
MY First Visit TO a Logging Camp.
Correspondence Of the Press.l

correspondence Of the Press.l
SKowHEGAN, March 10, 1890
On one Of the clear frosty Sundays of last
month, started with party OF friends for
five mile ride over the mountains Of North.
ern Maine, to make my first visit 10 genu-
Inc logging camp. The sleighing was all
that 1t should be, and as we assembled the
mountain the pure celebrating air put new
life into us; while, as we gained still higher
attitude, the fair trees covered with several
inches Of newly fallen snow. bowed to the
ground as If making obeisance to Winter,
and affording spectacle not to be forgotten.
We soon reached point where we left the
main road and trusted our fortunes shall
say livesP) to very narrow and tortuous
woods road. We were in deubtlas to its being
road at all. the only evidence being can't
dogs and bales Of hay opposite the entrance
AT last we were convinced by little wooden
letter box fastened to tree. which Is al
ways the proof of the close vicinity OF lum-
Der came; so we trusted to luck and started
in on the road. And such a road Over
stumps and rocks then dropping suddenly
down into some mud hole that the snow and
ice had failed to cover up. 1t wound in and
out among the trees until we began to des-
pair OF ever finding a terminus. Another
sudden turn, however. brought the camp in
full view, only few rods before us.
The camp" consists of three or four
low log buildings. Very picturesque they
looked grouped together In the little clearing.
On every side stretched away miles and
miles OF forest primeval," and the
loneliness OF the spot cannot be adequately
described. The silence was profound. but
only for an instant was it undisturbed then
the door OF the furthest camp opened and
the lively strains Of an accordion fioated out
together with the unmistakeable sound of
moceasined feet kicking it out" in true
Canadian style.
We entered bya low door into a long
dusky room, so dusky, that indeed, that we
were forced to stand still some seconds and
accustom our eyes to the darkness before we
dared TO venture further. AS soon as /
received sufficient sight, however, / took
long look the interior.
1t was long, low room entirely Of logs
ROOF, walls, and floor all Of the same rough
bark-and lighted p by two little three pano
sides Of which were rough handmade
benches, occupied one side Of the room. In
the middle OF the room was the cook stove,
for this was the cooks Little Kingdom"
and behind this, wood pile nearly divided
table on which cooking utensils and ma
terials were piled In confusion. One corner
directly over the flour barrel and cake board
was reserved for the cooks bunk. IL was a
kind Of box filed with soft (?) boughs, and
not more than two feet from the roof, Over
this bunk was carefully fastened piece Of
broken looking glass. showing that even
back woods logging camp Is not wholly
derived Of vanity.
We were received in cordial manner by
the thigh dignitaries" OF the camp, and
rough stools were drawn up for us before
the fre. As seated myself. got my first
view OF the interior Of the other rooms.
Seen in the indistinct light, 1t looks like a
quaint old picture, framed by the rude door
way. Here 1t Is as l saw TIA long low
room in which the log walls were but dlmly
dlscernible In the dusky light. A long
barrel Ike stove though the cracks Of which
cleaned the ruddy glow Of the fire, occupied
the middle OF the room, while along the sides
two long rows Of hunks In which the dark
green Doughs were only partially covered by
the spreads, could be. seen: Overhead,
other, were long poles on which were hang
Ing bright colored mackinaws and leggings,
forming brilliant contrast to the brown
logs OF the roof. In the foreground two
canadians In bright red frocks and long
tasseled caps, were dancing In an animated
way, Enthusiastically waving their arms and
tossing their heads in the characteristic
Canadian style. In the back ground was
an indistinct group. of men only distinguished
from the surrounding gloom by the bright
colors Of their frocks and caps. In the
centre Of the group, young fellow was
seated playing the accordion In a spirited
manner; while several Frenchmen scattered
about were "trotting their feet" and waiting
their turn at the dance with evident i'm
patience. As soou as the dancers showed
any signs Of fatigue. two others took the
foo" with great alacrity. and the dancing
went on without pause.
Soon the cook shouted, "Supperl and
the music and dancing instantly ceased.
while the dancers started on a very brisk
pace for the kitchen, the others following
their leaders like flock Of sheep. Supper
consisted of baked beans, "twisters," very
good biscuits. and kind Of pudding indigo
nous to lumber camps; but butter and milk
were conspicuous by their absence. It was
soon despatched with as little ceremony as
possible, and all resumed their interrupted
amusements but not with the same vim as
before. The dancers were soon tired and
before long the music ceased altogether.
AS we left the camp Sunday stiffness
prevailed broken only by the scratching Of
pens, as the men, grouped around the tables,
prepared their weekly messages home
Several OF the men volunteered to accompany
US to the main road with lanterns. or
course their kind offer was accepted, and in
about an hour, much to our surprise, we
found ourselves safe and sound at the en-
trance to the main road MANI