The record-union., 1891-05-23

HeSS ABOUT the Dudulng day, when Wit
messed in the wilds, that is like a cooling
hand on teverish brow. All the world
seems good, and the trials and crosses are
forgotten in this atmosphere. No church
bells fell on the air, but the peaceful
quiet was like communion with God
With the dawning of the morning came
also the horrible knowledge that we had
overeaten our rations on the night be-
tore, taxing no thought for the morrow.
In the dewy morning COMMITTEES of
three We're launched with the inStruc-
tlonS 10 beg, borrow or steal our break
fast, with penalty fixed at death in case
OF failure. a tramp of many furlongs
brought IN view an abode of mana well
come sight. Thinking of it now it does not
seem attractive, but then we thought it
the most beautiful house in the world
The decorating was done by Natures SUI
perior hand-''clabpoardS and moss and
vines did it adorn.' The front walk was
mile or more long, and at an angle of
forty-five degrees. The house was at
the topmost round, and must have been
built in time of war with view to
throwing powders on the enemy's head.
Inc carriage drive was fianked on
either side with what thought was let
tuce, but proved TO be ''fever fern
Corn and beans then took up the line of
march and sustained it to the end of the
row. While my companions negotiated
Tor the material things my Senitive soul
shrInks from, sat just at the portals of
the castle rocking to and fro in a rawhide
bottom chair idly humming a popular
ar e'There's hole in the bottom of the
sea''), and thinking what a capital tobog-
gan slide that Sweet-williamed Star of
Bethlehemed facade would make in win
ter. As my friend dropped some coins
into the hand of the fair one at the door
heard him murmur. mckinley" bill. If
the TIIpAS DnapCSitinS OIL no1 OF
ratio as we proceeded into that neck of
the woods, we could not afford to live ten
miles further on. A hat, decorated with
wild roses and buttercups, went saunter-
ing down the walk, and from underneath
emerged lew words about having to go
to living on tule roots and jack rabbits.
Inc words fell on my dreaming ear that
Folks eat powerful lot when they
camp, but my bread haint very good.
In time OF sorrow sympathy is the right
thing, but for hunger give me slapjacks.
l want house on hill with a mountain
Gus approach. 1t is not fieeting fancy.
/ want one.
What is any more gruesome than a de-
serted picnic grounds? There is one in
that region that the river has encroached
on, and its desolatlon is loud enough to
be. felt. Under the gloomy shade of the
redwoods the ferns and poison oak are
picnicking socially, and the remem-
brance of former gaiety makes the desc
lation greater. Only the skeletons OF the
long tables remain, and on the rustic
seats, where lads and lasSieS twittered, the
rank, green growth has completely en-
Yeloped. Like great, gaunt, white fin
gers, the boards still point here and there
IN the gloomy depths of the grove:
R5- TO THE LUNCH STAND.
Noon found this wonderful party, home
ward bound, camped at the Lagoon" a
stagnant body Of water Astounding in fish
and unaromatic odoTs-m0stly odors.
Here was q delightful flat-bottomed old
scow of boat which was being guided in
and out among the matted stems OF the
tulGs, Water-lilies and Water-cresS Out
of the oozy mud the lilies grow in perfect
shoals, yellow stars cleaning among the
broad, shining green leaves. 4 boat load
was secured. The spot thronged with
juvenile fIshermen-little fellows with
bare brown feet and bright eyes shining
through wonderfully dirty faces. Their
string Of stiff, sick-lOo!xing little trout
was to them Kingdom. The remnants
OF the tarltf-rldden necessities were dis
cussed. a word about the bread. It was
not without it's use in this world. With
the empty bottle of fish bite for q bat
and the ''staff of life'' for q ball. we did
scientific work as q baseball nine.
When the baked beans came on TO the
table for the second, yea, forthe third time.
it called forth the story of the young man
who remained away from home all one
long day. Not being accustomed to this
wild dissipating, on his return he shook
his head wisely, aud CHANGING around,
said: Eyes, same old home-the same old
cat, too"
1 am disposed to tell the truth about
the strings Of ''speckIed beauties'' caught,
that we only had enough for one lonely
meal, and that the hunters only bagged
lark and that sitting; but after sustain
ing the reputation of the party for these
many days | am not going to turn States
evidence and own up. The conventional
tales are now in order. ''Same old sto-
ries'' A. X. L.
Santa Rosa, May Is, 1890.