Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-31
HOW TO CAMP OUT. :


Rutland, was to an association OF Elks,
quite famous years ago in Rutland coun-
ty. The Doctor gives an account OF
camping out, which we copy:
In permanent camp if one doesn't
have house, and it must be admitted
good sound roof inspires commence,
there will be roomy wall tent, and
eIUner a uInlng UolIv, "a ~ % 20. ~
for rainy days. And it is much better to
calculate on taking things enough TO De
reasonably comfortable, and to harden
your heart against the sinking feeling
that generally comes as the conglomer-
ate mass of baggage begins to pile up on
the piazza. There will be straw beds,
or cots with some sort of a light mat
tress POSSIBLY some of our readers re-
call the Siamese mattress, two breadths
of cotton cloth with transverse cells be-
tween, stuffed with cotton wool, dlrec-
lions for making which the Republican
gave last summary. A capacious wall
bag, made like the regulation steamer
bag with pocket for everything, is the
greatest convenience. A small trunk is
better than a valise as it makes seat
and also is sure protection from the
ravages of the nimble and Unsuitable
gravel bug, that eats everything from
yaseline to bookcovers, and explores the
rest of the time.
Happily, in this region we don't have
venomous insects to look out Tor, nor
snakes, except the little green ribbon
ones. l saw man once hold one OF
them up by the tail to watch its "beau-
tiful curves" l couldn't begin to do
that, but L was glad when he threw it
back in the bushes. 1t always seems
like such very poor potatoes to hit fell
low when he is down already and doing
no harm.
The sure preventive against poison ivy
is to learn what it is and keep out of its
way. And too great precaution cannot
be taken, as when it finds the right vic
tim probably nothing can produce more
suffering to the square inch. The rem
edy is the same recommended for
wounded hearts, namely, "silence and
shade" Additionally, salt or soda and
water is good, and sugar of lead. The
little family before referred to once slept
in bed of poison ivy, without knowing
what it was, with no other result than
that the wire stems and heavy leaves
made an unusually nice spriDgy resting
place.
The prudent house-mother of course
will not go camping without her medi-
cine case. Jamaica ginger for plain
collie, ammonia for wasp stings, watel-
proof plaster and old linen, witch hazel
for mosuuitoe bites, and bruises and
sprairs after they have been well stepped
in hot water. Comfort powder is as
good as anything for sun-burn, and
water the worst, Brandy is necessary,
or something of the sort, unless you are
principled against it, and then what you
use to take it's place. Camphor gum
burnt makes an effective and unoffensive
smudge to keep away mosquitoes. Per-
haps it seems foolish to say over all this
that everybody knows, but it is really so
hard to think up everything when once
one begins to get ready.
A stone jar sunk in the ground and
we'll covered makes good cooler and
will keep butter very well. Cooking
really needn't be such burden if one
can only get on without elaborate dishes
and stick to the simple staples. Nor
washing either. The cleansing proper
ties of the soft lake or river water are
really wonderful and the drying does
the rest. If anything more appetizing
comes out of the laundry than rough
dry napkin, picked fresh from the bush
es, and smelling of the sun and wind,
is a matter of taste. But if you can
hear the birds sing at sunrise and see
the flicker of the shadows on your tent
as you cuddle down for little more of
that delicious sleep before sallying out
for your early dip, if you can sniff the
morning coffee and know the wind is
coming up just right for sail; if you
can do all that and not feel your own
little string of the world harp more
nearly in tune that it has been for a good
while well, shouldn't probably go
so far as to say you were fit for treason,
stratagems, ETC., in fact, it would be
easier to think there couldn't be enough
of you to plot against.
In choosing your camp-mates avoid
the special types of hog and biddy, es-
pecially the latter. The hog is quite
often satisfied with the best of every
thing and may be even an agreeable
companion. The biddy will always
scratch, not because it needs anything
nor particularly wants anything, but
having been born a biddy it can't help
it. And the male biddy is perhaps most
earnestly to be steered clear of. If you
have genial martyr among your friends,
invite her. (The male of this species is
extinct). There are in camp so many
damp corners and dry ends in which she
will revel. And the presence of some
one who knows just when to refuse pud-
ding is such moral support.
A safe rule to make infexible, especi-
ally in camp, is never to so much as to
raise your eyebrows at the fish stories
of your friends. Particularly if you are
interested in the sport yourself. Re-
member there is honor among fishermen,
and the golden rule works both ways.
And unless you have some means of be-
ing sure the catch has been good, don't
all swarm down to meet the boats. Give
the corses decent time to be hurried to
the ramparts without having their mad
equacy exposed. If anything worth
while has been brought in there will be
plenty of time to show it. Indeed, it
makes a delicious dessert to ones sport
to proceed with the goodly string, de-
liberately and indifferently Tor one tries
to look indifferent), to the camp; to lis
ten to the wonder of the futtering Des-
demonas, to sit in the hammock and en-
joy cooling drink while you tell of the
enormous fellow it took all your
strength not to bring in.
If the luck has been bad don't try to
make things better by saying you like
the flavor of pickerel and perch just as
well as bass and trout You will only
be thought uncommonly silly. Besides,
people don't fish for the flavor of the