A MIDSUMMER MISADVENTURE 



BY MRS. JOS. S. GiBBS. 



We went for our summer outing, my most northern point of the most north- 

 husband and I. We wanted to "rough ern lake, to the end of the route, in 

 it." We "roughed it." We wanted a fact. 



new experience. We got it. Some I cannot describe that trip on the 

 one whispered "Canada, Muskoka lakes. You'll have to go there your- 

 Lakes district." We wouldn't let them self to see, to dream, to drink it all in. 

 finish the whisper. That sounded so Islands, water, richest foliage, blue 

 easy, so "rough," so experimental, sky and beauty everywhere. Poetry 

 Besides we were too superior to listen seemed all around us ; the peace and 

 to advice, or need it. quiet was only broken by the songs of 

 On our knowledge we decided not the water and the music of the trees, 

 to carry any camping outfit, for in But I was destined to take one fall 

 the wilds of Canada we could surely from the sublime to the ridiculous, 

 find all the necessities, nay, even the which so often happens in our little 

 luxuries of life. lives, for a sailor disturbed my con- 

 As the hunting season does not hap- tent with, "Please, Mum, and your 

 pen to begin the latter part of July, and dorg have set in the red paint." Sure 

 we were taking our outing at that enough, poor Mac, in the desolation 

 time, we foolishly, but as it afterwards of the "hold" had transformed him- 

 turned out, fortunately, selected five self from English to Irish setter, from 

 guns from my husband's rack, and the waist down, if a dog can be said to 

 secured enough ammunition to blow possess such a proportion, 

 up the entire Russian fleet. We really Gradually twilight stole upon us 

 did have sense enough to take fishing and the sun dropped to sleep as the 

 tackle, particularly fancy bait, although great summer moon arose about us. 

 we afterwards found that Canadian Little by little as the merry, noisy va- 

 nish are not epicures, but, like the cation-seekers left the boat at the dif- 

 woodsman, prefer the daintier diet of ferent landings, the glory and peace of 

 salt pork. I mustn't forget the soap, the night increased and intensified. 

 We took enough to start a laundry for But the journey had to come to an 

 the woodchopper and Indian guide to end, and at half after nine we landed, 

 appear in fine linen all the year round. There is only one hotel at Port Cock- 

 To add to our excess baggage, my burn, and we were indeed fortunate to 

 husband insisted on taking a flatiron, find a vacant room, the last in the 

 weight nine pounds. What for ? To house. And how we slept ! 

 help with the laundry, I imagine. All The next morning we began ener- 

 this, and no camping outfit? Such is getically to look for a guide and a 

 the conceit of superior minds. camping- outfit. Neither were forth- 

 So the three of us — please remem- coming. We begged, implored, grov- 

 ber that Mac, our English setter, is elled. We were answered by a ques- 

 one of the family and always goes tion, "Why hadn't we brought an out- 

 with us — started for our destination; fit?" Answer, "Because, having a com- 

 just where that was we didn't know. plete one, we had, with the wisdom of 

 Nothing of importance happened thoughtfulness, carefully packed it 

 until we found ourselves at the end of away in storage." Still another em- 

 the Grand Trunk Railroad, and on the barrassing question, "Why hadn't we 

 Muskoka wharf. It was then we de- written and engaged a guide?" We 

 cided to board the boat and go to the refused to answer questions. 



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