The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-07-22
Rusticating on Hood Canal.
EAGLE CREEK july Is.

can afford it, flock to the sea shore
along the Jersey sands, where the
SUMMER boarding houses and summer
hotels stand IS inches apart, where a
little SKIS attic room furnished with a
cot, costs SIS d week, and where the
mosquito, poisonous ard exasperatiug
IS the only song bird.
There are indeed the board-wa1ks.
several miles in length, lit by glariug
oil lights, lined with nerry-go-rouuds,
haunted swings, double-headed chill
dreu aud other catch-peuny shows.
From July 1st to August 18th, the fat
Jersey coast IS crowded.
Then the swelIs, the few of the few
leave the seashore for the rocky coast
OF Maine, or for the mountains of New
Hampshire or the lakes and forests of
the Adirondacks.
OuIy the very wealthy can take these
outings, and the tan on the sea shore
girls shows on their arms aui uecks
even at the balls Of the following win
ter. But on all the Atlantic coast
there IS no such accumulation Of uatur-
al advantages as on Puget Sound
which the Encyclopedia Britannica
calls the most beautiful harbor in the
world. And Hoods Canal is the best
part Of Puget Sound because farthest
FROM the gashes and scars on the
beauty Of the scenery, gashes and
scars which men cali cteariugs. and
cities, 10 wonder then that those who
know that IN all the East and all the
balance Of the United States there Is
no such delightful place should select
Hoods Canal for d perfect summer
outing.
The fastener is surprised to find a
daily steamer from Seattle to Hoods
Canal, which he takes, surprised at
the lowuess Of the fare, charmed with
this arm Of the sea, as beautiful as the
Hudson.
Vt ?. N the steamer whistle blows
and far ahead 4 white boat puts out
from shore, ard Mr.. Draper pulls
along side, and into his boat we pile
bags and bundles, guns, fishing tackle.
tents, hammocks, camp stools, and
with suddry screams the girls settle
themselves, cIutchiug their paint boxes
and sketchiug pads. \ short walk
along i well kept rustic path leads to
the Draper home where little Mrs.
Draper has made a home indeed. Her
walls are adorned with oil pointiugs,
and when one looks at the perfect neat
ness OF every room, the almost painful
brightness of every tin, when a per-
feet meal Is served. one wonders where
this little body fuds the tune to paint.
And what can one do at Diapers?
Although the days last from four uu-
til nine, seventeen hours, they are all
too short. Up in the morning at four
and two miles up the trail fishing
down the stream for trout, bringing in
4 nice string for breakfast, and such
breakfast. Berries Just picked, fresh
cream, fried fish, light rolls, the best
Of coffee.
After breakfast d long sail IN the
boat, across the canal up to LiIIewaup,
and perhaps, if the wind dies down, a
long pull back, which gives a sharks
appetite for dinner, Then a rest, lying
on the beach, or under the trees until
bathing time, and all take a swim in
the cool salt water. This makes Us
ready for { walk or climb to some spot
where I sketch can be made of bIuest
water, rocky beach, juttiug headlauds
aud perhaps the cIouded Olympics IN
the back ground
It IS now half tide and the trolling
lines are gotten out, aud the boat is
slowly pulled up and down On the
shore, Mrs. Draper showing how to
pull II the fish, which she will cook
for supper. Those who did not troll
have the pleasure of watching Nr.
Draper haul logs with his black bull,
the question being which was most
afraid Of the other. Supper over, all
20 down to the beach with blankets
and shawls, and build an immense fire
from drift wood and around the fire
we sit and the men smoke and the girls
tell stories until the stars come out.
one by one and the dusk fades into
darkness How strange that the path,
80 plain n daylight should be so hard
TO ind and follow at night, and the
party stumbles along, lighting its way
with matches, until the house IS reach
ed.
The trouble with the Diapers is that
they ought TO have a larger house,
Every room IS full and three tents and
d part Of the barn are also occupied
and 4 motley crowd it Is, Colonel Still
and wife from Lincoln, Nebraska 5.
u. l. Emerson wife, two children AID
Nurse from Denver, Col, Miss Bur
banks, from Boston, Miss Young from
Seattle, Harrington Emerson, from
Philadelphia, Mrs. VIM. Richardson
from Cleveland. Miss Marley, Mr.. and
Mrs. NJ H Young, Misses Edith and
Ethel Young, Mrs Barnes and daugh-
ter. Miss Peltou, Mr.. Shepherd, Miss
Fiskiu, and Mr.. Talbot of Seattle, and
| more coming.
Can Mrs. Draper manage them all?
| She threatens to make them bake