The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-09-26
A DAY IN THE EDNA.


One bright and breezy day recently .
small club of which the writer is Fortunate
ly member was invited on q short cruise
in the Edna with Capt Albert Roix as skip
per. While waiting for the tender to take
us to the yacht the captain ventured the
rather trying query-'the wind is south
west and blowing quite strong down the
bay are any of you girls afraid?" OF course
they all said no but the sly glances exchang-
ed meant something. To two of the party
at least the experience was entirely new
and they secretly wondered if they would
enjoy it or wish they were on terra firma
again. But the mate kindly assured them
they were all right for they belonged to a
web-footed family. The wind did blow {; it
was rough and the white caps flecked the
dark blue of the bay, the boat trembled as
she cut the water, but it proved most de-
lightful sail. After two full tacks the boat
was headed straight for the Islesboro shore
and we heard no more of "l0ok out for the
boom, you had better get on the weather
side" Captain Roix took his rubber boots
and large iron kettle and we knew that
meant clans if we reached Sprague Cove
all right, for the absent editor of The Jour-
nal had told us what clam boil was on the
IslesbOrO beach. We we're landed at just
low water on such pretty beach that we
forgot for time that the sail had given us
a first class appetite. The cove is a perfect
picture with stretch of sand at low water
mark SO hard that the receding waves had
the coarser gravel and sea weed. The cap
tain and mate took the clam hoes and the
others busted themselves collecting wood
for the fire, which was soon started. In
short time dinner was ready for the lunch
basket menu, but we must wait for the
clans to boil. While the. rest were growing
impatient we were looking for flowers and
bugs, finding only the small flowers of
common shore variety and two potato bugs
fully matured and rather forlorn looking so
far away from the vegetable garden. At
last "those perfectly delicious CLANS " were
ready and we ate more than would have
been proper at home. the two smallest eating
the most. Then it was thought best to take
a short walk and site was selected in
''most beautiful spot" where in future
years club house is to be erected and a
steam launch is to ride at anchor near by.
The entire party are interested in phOtOg
raphy, but only two had cameras, and just
an even dozen pictures were taken. The
first one was all right, but it was rough
when the camera girl sat on the cabin to
take the rest standing near the stern. She
was ready to press the bulb when large
wave broke over the bow striking her in the
back of the neck and the rest of the
party face to. For the next picture we
were placed more artistically and when
well seated the word was given to look up;
we all looked up just in time to again take
the benefit of wave full in the face. But
that was only fun. The captain referred to
"Pilsbury' often, telling the writer that
she would have to eat his share of clans
for him. He should have spoken sooner,
but it gave US an excuse for eating a few
more. 1t was rough coming over but we
were told it would be much rOugher going
home. The absent editors mantle must
have fallen on his representative, for fear
was put aside and the rough sail was most
thoroughly enjoyed. We overheard con-
ference of the captain and mate as to the
amount of sail to carry and the reefs that
should be taken in the jib and mainsail,
but full sail was carried. Getting under
way was a little exciting but we had made
up our minds not to get nervous unless the
captain did and we took sly looks at him I'M
til we forgot to in the interest of hanging
on to the weather rail and keeping our feet
braced until they ached. Will, the mate,
lost good hat overheard but we were going
too fast to get it and little later one of the
girls lost all of her good dinner, but the
rest were too sorry for her to give her away
From the time the Edna left Sprague's
Cove until we arrived at the steamboat
wharf we did not have to dodge the boom
for it was not changed from it's first posi-
ton But we had to dodge the flying surf
and take our wraps and arms Off the
weather rail while the water ran in good
bowsprit into the waves. When we arrived
home and acknowledged what we had done
we were advised not to repeat it this season
for we might have been becalmed, it might
have come up foggy, it might have blowed
so heavy that you could not have got home
then what would have happened at The
Journal office? But nothing unpleasant
did happen and most delightful trip was
enjoyed.
Old Home Week in Maine.
BY HANS Won DUNKERFOODLE.
Geo. W. Hersee.) Born in Belfast, 1912.