Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-11-15

chair with lamp on il, and an old trunk;
across the doorway leading into the next
room hung sumptuous portiers Of outing
flannel which precluded sight, but not
sound
liz the other room were shree double beds
all fully occupied, as number Of telephone
workers we're in town. The sIeepers in
this room we're evidensly weary, for shey
ceased talking early and were soon in audi
BILE slumber. Their snoring abilities were
unlimited, and taken altogether, they
might have made an excellent orchestra
had they all been timed up to the same
pitch and rendered the same selection.
One snored sad minor refrain; another
held forth tenoriobligato in high key. to
low second 10 rag time. while the success
full tones OF third, reminded as Of saving
wood to the accompaniment OF steam
thresher at work. The work of the other
three was just as sincere. but their training
must have been neglected, for their tones
were not so conspit us and did nothing
more noteworthy than to form soft low
accompaniment TO the brilliant efforts Of
their more skiIlful companions.
The dogs outside found something to
complain Of, and their barkings, and the
constant fear we were in lest we might fall
asleep, roll oyer and inadvertently injure
some of the livestock belonging to the
hotel, added to the concert in the next
room, successfully drove sleep from US dur
ing most of the night, and we arose in the
morning yowing to sleep in the buggy UNI
der the umbrella rather than try another
night in the Bentley Hotel.
Bentley is on Keg Creek near what is
called the Eight-mile Grove in which we
heard wolves bowling in broad daylight,
and from whence issued the delicate frag
rance OF the prowling skunk.
/ became as familiar with Keg Creek as
had been with Mosquito Creek, and my i'm
preston OF it was better, as the rains had
ceased and the weather was superb with
beautiful moonlight nights.
In our campaign around Bentley we pur-
sued the same plans followed in Garner
Township. 1t was easier work as the coun-
try is more open and the roads all are near
ly all run on section lines The people
were more interested in our mission and
many of them aided us very materially in
our work. One good friend we shall not soon
forget. We interviewed him the morning
after our experience 10 the Bentley Hotel,
and he insisted on our coming back and
stopping all night in his beautiful home if
we found ourselves in his vicinity, as they
had an abundance ROOM. We had no diff
Guilty in finding ourselves in that vicinity
about six O'Clock that evening. Calling at
his home we were told shat he was still in
the field digging potatoes. We drove out
and taking off oar coats and leaving old"
Sam TO follow the potato wagon We went
50 work in right earnest and helped our
friend and his boy, soon finishing the work
laid out. We are confdant that we made
a friend Of that boy.
While my companion remained in the
house after supper conyerslng with the at
tractiye daughter of our host, went out
and helped to milk by moonlight, thus
proving to them beyond doubt that my
claim of being farmer was true.
After our work at Bentley was COM
pleted our next pilgrimage was in Lynn
Grove.
The pioneers Of Iowa always sought to
trees beside stream in order that they
might secure fuel and water easily, and the
grove was named for she settler living near
it. Hence the frequent use Of the word
Grove in the names Of points in the
State We worked near the Eight-mile
Grove, the Six-mile Grove, the Four-mile
Grove, and the Two-mile Grove, Groves
which were SO named because they were
eight, six, four, and two miles respectively
from the first Norman settlement made in
Western Iowa.
From the appearance OF the homes In the
vicinity Of Lynn Grove, we decided that
the inhabitants were deyoting their atten-
tion to the production of four crops, to the
exclusion of all other interests, namely
corn. children. hogs, and dogs.
AS at Bentley orr first care was to secure
boarding place, and in contrast 20 our
former experience we were Hospitality and
comfortably entertained. Our hostess SEEM
ed to like our appearance and we were soon
on visiting terms with her and her family.
It did not take long to secure all the family
history, quarrels, misfortunes and other
matters Of interest concerning everyone
within at least ten miles Of Lynn Grove. /
said we were on visiting terms but that is
scarcely true as we had no time to visit
afkar onr hostess pot fairly started our time