The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-11-19
A Home Letter from Montana.

cession for the Schoppe family really
seems to be worth recording, especially
as they were such delightful days. Last
week at the M. A. C. faculty meeting it
was decided that the annual faculty pic
mic would be held on Saturday, the 3lst
of October. and an efficient committee
was appointed to have charge OF the de-
tails. Each one was notified what their
contribution to the commissarlat was 10
he. and at 10 O'Clock Saturday morning
the usual Main street shopping crowd
ranchers in for their weeks supplies
was augmented by family parties, la
den with baskets, buckets and bundles.
The lnterurban car was we'll filled on its
special trip out to Saesville. The pas
senger compartment, the smoking COM
partment, and even the express section,
where the Nimrods foregathered with
the camping material, were all hlled,
and merry party it was which enjoyed
the run of little less than an hour out
through the prosperous ranches OF the
valley in southerlv direction. AT
cross road leading down to the west
Gallatin river just outside Salesvllle the
car stopped to discharge its freight-hu-
man and otherwise Each one "packed'
his share of the cargo over the halt mile
walk to the river. Billie INSISTED Oh
carving two fishing rods and, much to
the amusement of many, we took time
out" to equip him with some newly puf-
chased overalls, which the trade mark
testified, eft like fathers. There were
number of children along and they all
had one grand good time-there was no
5onbt of 1bat-besides furnishing good
part of the days entertainment Tor their
elders. A fine camping ground was Sc
lecred near the river, tlre was soon
started under the expert direction OF Prof..
Spaulding. annually elected faculty Chef.
While preparations for dinner were IN
derway many exploring parties set Out
in different directions and the sporting
contingent repaired to the river BANK 10
nrooure bullheads for bait. The methoo
followed was to track one to his lar ana
then shoot him with little % rifle. The
river at that point divides itself into
three channels most plcturesqueiy. Inc
little islands are connected with narrow
foot bridges, while shaky log structure
ovar +he the main stream furnishes
wide if not very stable pathway TO the
west bank. One of the eXcltements OF
4he morning was furnished when car
loaded with hunters, presumably bouno
for the famous West Gallatin Canyon,
crot stuck at the second ford. The car
was a Ford with capital F, and finally
responded to the heroic pull on the ropes
evidently carried by engineers, given by
its passengers and some of our party
who went over to lend a hand. A num-
Ter f the faculty cars made the trip and
were watched for with increasing long
ing as the dinner hour approached FL
nallv all were present or accounted Tor
and the riding party of five was in sight
when dinner was announced. And sucn
dinner! Table cloths spread on the
ground were covered with good things,
which were supplemented with hot COT
fee. "weinies' frankurters) roasted on
sticks over the Goals, bacon and baked
beans. Potato salad, sandwiches, va
riety of pickles, olives, doughnuts, cakes,
grapes. apples and candy all disappeared
as if by magic, but the supply seemed
inexhaustable, and the. fishermen who
came struggling in after the others were
through found anything but famine ra-
tions awaiting them.
After dinner a rope was produced, and
some of the most staid of the faculty la
dies demonstrated their skill at jumping
rope. Fishing, exploring the thickets
in search OF rabbits, walking, or just laz-
ing in the warm sunshine, furnished
amusements enough for all. 1t was JOY
enough just to be out of doors and to
look at the wonderful Spanish peaks up
the West Gaiatin, which seemed nearer
than the fifteen miles Billie went fish
ing in the river, and after watching him
remove several imaginary fish from his
line President Hamilton announced to
the company that Billie Schoppe was
''high line" The five large bull
heads that he caught proved to be the
longest, if invisible, string. Prof. Cur
rier got three small but handsome trout,
and they, with couple of 'cotton
tails" constituted the game list for the
day. A lively game of prisoners
Base, participated in by the President,
staid head of departments and the young
er folks, called four of US away from an
impromptu game of bridge, played on
doughnut box of huge dimensions which
also served as score card. The other
participants hailed from Massachusetts,
Illinois and Kansas, and the different
ideas as to scoring, ETC., might lead one
to suggest national Auction congress,
whose object would be to make national
rules for bridge devotees!
One of the very pleasantest features
of the day was our meeting with some
people from Massachusetts-MissD Drake