The Republican journal., 1907-09-12
A House Party in Andover.

Ill.
To our great delight Tuesday proved
an ideal day for the setting forth of the
camping party and all the morning was
occupied with preparations, the activi-
ty in the culinary department promis-
ing good things to come. Strict in
structions had been given as to the
amount of personal baggage allowable,
and the packing of one suit case for
five ladies occasioned good deal of fun.
About 10 O'Clock notice was given that
the advance guard had received march
ing orders and four of us were soon
seated in the auto, waving goodbye to
the one girl left behind to keep the
boys in order and look after our pre-
cious stores during their "rapid tran
sit' in the hayrack. Only one of our
party, with the exception of the chat
feur, of course-to whom all the attrac.
lions of the region are we'll known-had
ever been to Roxbury Pond, and our
curiosity grew as we sped along, fol-
lowing the road we had traversed in
our drive from Frye for two miles or
so. At a turn in the road a guide post
indicated that we had covered about
half the distance necessary and we kept
straight ahead for two more miles, when
the blue waters of Silver Lake, another
name for our destination, glimmered
through the trees. As we neared
its shores we passed the "Silver Lake
House" and small camp or two, and
then struck a stretch of sandy road that
impeded our progress a bit. We did
not mind that, however, for the road,
which was really only the upper part
of white sand beach at this point,
was directly beside the lake, and we
were enchanted with the picturesque
little sheet of water, entirely surround
ed by hills. Quite heavy breeze was
blowing and the deep blue waters were
tlecked here and there with foam
capped waves, while the sand beach we
were leaving behind stood out a white
crescent against a background of trees.
The road was gradually becoming
rougher and rougher as we branched off
to the camp we were to occupy that
night, and near group of tents, where
some cup country people were spend
ing a few weeks, we left the auto and
took to the tall timber" following the
wood-road to the cottage. The place
seemed most attractive, and it was
with curiosity that we entered and ex-
plored our abiding place. The front
room, across the entire front of the
cottage, served as dining and living
room, while the two rooms in the rear
each contained cooking stoves, and the
closet in one disclosed cooking utensils,
china, ETC., in plenty. On the second
floor were four bedrooms, with large
sleeping apartment above that, so that
there was ample Accommodations for our
party. Outside, the broad veranda,
through which some small birches had
been allowed to grow, was sheltered
by the surrounding trees. The steps,
running the entire width of the plat
form, led down to the float in front,
and all about the place seats had been
put up between adjacent trees, and
every thought taken for ones comfort.
The hammock was soon out and occu-
pied, while the pile of magazines
brought along served to amuse those
who wished to read. About noon
three boats were seen coming from
across the lake, and there was re-
joicing when it was discovered that the
remainder of our party, and the pro-
visions, were in them. The rolls of
bedding, boxes, bags of potatoes, ice,
etc, were soon unloaded, and the three
Rangeley boats, hired for our stay,
were hauled upside by side on the slip.
A very short time elapsed before an
appetizing meal was on the table, and
after it was over there was very little
putting away to be done.
The dishes out of the way, everyone
settled down to enjoy themselves as
their fancy dictated. The wind, which
had been high all day, did not show the
least sign of abating, and so, after
waiting in vain for an hour or so for
things to "calm down." the first fishing
expedition set forth to try their luck
The pond, which is nearly round and
about a mile and half across, was
giving pretty good imitation of a
tempest in a teapot, but no one cared
if they did get bit wet, and so we
plunged through the waves until we
got into the lee of the tiny island where
we were to camp the next day. A white
perch or two rewarded our patience
there, and then came "a long pull and
strong pulp nearly around the lake
and our trolling was rewarded by anoth
er fish or two.
We had shipped bit of water on our
voyage across the lake, and sandy
beach fringed with lily pads offered it.
self as good place to beach the boat.
AS we jumped ashore onto the damp
sand an exclamation was Forthcoming