The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-08-03
V. c. A. AND P. c.
The Cunners Fold Their Tents and Close
the Reunion.
CAMP JOHN MILLER,

CAPE ELIZABETH, Aug. z, 1888.
The initiation service was performed
last evening upon two candidates. Samuel
F. Bearce and George E. Raymond, by
the new commissary elect, Venerable
Leander w. Fobes. The service has to
be seen in all its weird and mysterious
aspects to be thoroughly appreciated,
Roman candles, tallow candles, blue
lights, green lights, torch lights and sall.
The obligation connected Herewith is
something bordering on the soul-crush-
ing, blood-curdling order. AS an instance
of the force and terrible character of the
oath to which each new, Gunner is obliged
to subscribe, it is no violation of any of
it's several articles, particles and points
to declare that it has never yet been
violated or departed from. Why?
Simply because it is positively impossi-
BILE SO to do. Its author was one of
Portland's ex-politiciaus, ex-Deputy
Collector of Customs Lewis B. Smith,
one of the founders of the V. C. A. and
P. c., in As.
All of the clubs invited guests left
camp late last evening. The procession
was long drawn out, the rear end going
through the open gates at about 1880.
They fingered as long as their duties to
their friends and families would permit
and departed unwillingly and with APP
parent regret. Fred Cloyes carried with
him portion of the clubs crown which
was used to adorn the heads of the can
didates, and although strongly impor-
tuned by his family to return it when he
resumed his fellowship today, it is still
missing. A new and brighter one will be
substituted next year.
Our old frater and honorary member,
George Thomas, braved the terrors of
the camp last night, and is still none the
worse for it, although his vocal powers
were not equal to the demands of Simon
the Cellarer when called upon at the
post-prandial exercises. George is made
aware of the fact that the ravages of time
deal harshly with the cuckoos Of earlier
days.
Venerable Chenery was s'let off, by
the post Office authorities in season to
reach us for dinner today, and he
brought us the morning papers and all
the fresh, town news. that all the banks
and commercial institutions of Names
metropolis were still intact, and conf
dence in all circles remained undisturbed,
was the subject of marked congratula-
lions, although nobody seemed to be
anxious to make very many heavy invest-
ments.
Locating subterranean streams of
water by means of forked sticks was one
of the pleasant pastimes of the day, and
from the numerous indications of the
presence of that important fluid as an
adjunct to navigation and whiskey
punches, Cape Elizabeth is threatened
with such an array of earth-punctures
for wells. that the dangers of pedes-
trianism will be greatly enhanced. But
what crowd of doubling Thomases
George is not included in this) followed
that witch hazel.
Fresh salmon from the Penobsco
figured promiscuously in the menu for
today's dinner, which, with fried lobster
and other delicacies, gave the Clubs
epicures an opportunity to smack their
lips in good earnest.
We missed our good-natured COM
panion, DR.. Miller, s'our own Harry, y
who was prevented joining us in cele-
brating the 48th by sickness. The balmy
breezes of the North Carolina mountains
are invigorating and will doubtless re-
store him to us in good time.
With clear day, warm sun and
tempering winds from the west, the Gun
ners have been enjoying themselves in
their own peculiar way, making each
other happy and strengthening the band
which so closely unites them in harmony
and good-fellowship. In two years, the
semi-centennial will be celebrated. and
committees have already been appointed
to formulate plans for its observance
that will be in keeping with the great
importance of the occasion. But few
clubs and social organizations in this
country are so old as this, a fact OF
which it has the right to boast, and
which is commendable feature in it's
existence.
$50 p. m. flags lowered, carriages
filled and good-byes to the cottage for
another year. May the chain be I'M
broken when the next anniversary calls