Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-06-17
IN SPITE OF MRS. GRUMPY.

invigorated, ready for any amount OF
winter gayeties.
"Truly yours.
"CLARA DRUMMING"
1t was sweltering July weather, and
we girls had been busily discussing
plans for the summer, when papa
entered, and after commanding silence
read the foregoing letter. Such
Joyous chorus of comments as followed.
Auntie was right. We did want
ew Sc nsation, and here it was.
We crowded around the bearer of
the good news, as he stood smiliDgly
watching its effects.
"Oh, papa, the very thing" from
Maud the oldest next to myself.
you darling thing! Of course we
shall Co." and Lu emphasized her
words with hug and kiss.
Hip, hurrah !" that Of course
from Maggie, who is fifteen, and over
flowing with life and fun.
"Well, what does my mentor say ?"
and papa turned to me. / had said
nothing, but was enjoying the animat-
ed scene.
"Of course if you consent, we'll CO."
and was forthwith subjected to a
storm of kisses and caresses, for be it
known, mamma had been dead ten
years, and | was the eldest had taken
her place. The girls, who ranged
from fifteen to twenty, Loyalty recog-
nized my right and fitness to reign,
and few happier families than ours
could be found in long ride.
Papa, who is a glorious good fellow,
realizes that a houseful of pretty girls
cannot be hid, and aids and abets me
in every way to plan for the best in
terests and enjoyment of our flock
The mountains once decided upon,
no time was lost in commencing pre-
parations. Cousin May, who has deli
cate lungs, was sent for to accompany
us, and in less than a week we were
in camp OH sunny slope at the foot
of huge mountain that lowered
above us Ill silent grandeur. Many
and obstinate difficulties had we over.
come ere achieving 60 satisfactory a
result, however.
We had two tents. One large
enough to contain five hammocks, and
the belongings of five girls The
other for papa and the stores, and
where our meals were served by a
Jolly black cook, we were so fortunate
as to secure at Ashville on striking
into the wilderness Jim was treas
ure. He had lived in those mountains
almost all bis life, and for years had
acted as guide and cook for parties Of
hunters and tourists.
We spent two weeks at our first
camping.place, but it was too near
civilization and not day passed that
we did not have more or less visitors
Then we made move to lovely
valley not far from Black or Mitchell:
mountain. Then, deep in among th,
crags and ravines, far from the usua
route of tourists, we proposed to stay
until it got too cold for camp life.
And what life it was to us city girls
Up at daybreak, with appetites sharp
ened by the bracing mountain air, We
gathered about the breakfast.table
and did full justice to Jim's unrivalec
cooking.
Then we spent all the long day
, scrambling oyer rocks and through
bushes, searching out bits of Lowell,
scenery, and, as auntie prophesied
growing brown and healthy.
> So time went merrily and happil'
on, until one day about the first o
September a man came all the wa,
) from Ashville, with telegraph
, for Mary. Her infant brother wa
dead, and her mother needed her
She must go at once, but howf | de
|. clared papa need not hesitate to leav
us in Jim's care while he went wit
her TO the railroad. but he hesitated.
The man who brought the news wa
not going back, but had brought tw
horses. and stout wagon as near u
was possible, so you see papa had D
choice 10 the matter. We got he
9 things together, and at the YER
last Maud elected to 90 alone. ! wa
,s glad Of that. for she was the only COW
ard among us, and knew we woul
A be more comfortable with her away.