Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-06-16

am being tenderly pillowed close to
natures heart"
Wish we could see my old fr'en'
up Dove Sugar Holler; you'd find
i'm real sociable," said Hunter
John. but his feelin's 'ud be hurt
if We didn't sarve i'm a bowl of pud-
den n milk; give i'm freedom O.
yer but'ry n he'll be neighborly n
say 'howdye,' n take an interest in
yer fairs, specially yer bee hives n
pig-pen."
Mrs. hardwood was much amused
at Hunter Johns remarks over the
tame bear of Sugar Hollow.
The whip-poor-will was a-wish-a-
willing in the balsam dale. That
bird swings his Understanding whip,
prob'ly t. keep skeeters off," said
Hunter John.
But it sounds musical" said
Mrs. hardwood.
Vas, it kinder bushes daylight to
sleep, n the evenin's nd be lunsome
'thout 'im," said Hunter John.
The campfire was burned low and
the whip-poor-will ceased its hush
be-still." The Lovejoys with their
visitors went into the snug cabin.
The visitors were restfully lodged in
beds of husk and balsam spray
filled ticks on old high posted rope
bedsteads, and the hush of night
in the mountain fastness brooded
peacefully over the household.
At peep of day our visitors awoke
at the sound of the children's merry
voices, and in a low, sweet voice was
heard their mother singing a morn
ing hymn of praise.
After breakfast was over and the
usual family devotions, and the
house was set in order, the family
with their guests went out into the
edge of the wood and sat beneath
the wide-spreading branches of a
maple tree, where they Toasted their
eyes on the sylvan beauties of rock
and rill, of knoll entwined with
partridge berry and princes pine
| of dell luxuriant of fragrant ferr
and wild flowers, and birds jubilant
! with song. Skirting the wood lit
tie way the guests were led to {
round basin of fish pond, deep anC
crystal pure. The children had {
wide bottom row-boat their Uncle
Maurice made for them, and thu
guests were taken in and given
row over the pond, and generous
mess of mountain brook trout were
caught for the picnic lunch. ant
large clusters of white pond-lilie
plucked to decorate the picnic feast
Approaching the noon hour Mrs
Loveioy and the children and Mrs
hardwood also assisting, prepared
the feast. A glistenlng white tabl
cloth was spread on a green, moss.
knoll and the delicious viands Sc
about. There were wild strawberr,
shortcake sweetened with mapl
sugar, fruit cake, such as was tn,
Vermont housewives pride in thos
: days to have on hand for company
large, mealy potatoes roasted in tn
ashes came before the picnic circl
with skins popping, together with
large platter of broiled trout cookeo
in the sweetest of clover butter b.
Hunter John. Heartily they Toasted
and air and scenery gave zest to ap
petite. .
After the picnic they all sat Of
the shaded mound in the little park
This is where the children fire
quently come after their daily task
to picnic with the birds and SPUR
rels; they feed them and they vii
skip and play about the children a
if they belonged to the squirrel o
bird creation. | often take my knit
ting or sewing and come out her
with them, and Sundays. if the da
is pleasant, we hold our Sunda
!; morning worship here. This is on
church, our house of worship, wit
7 the dome of sky overhead, and tn