THE CAMP-MEETING.

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CHAPTER LXV.

THEY GO TO THE CAMP-GROUND WHERE THE FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES IS BEING HELD.

THE days were long, and time hung heavily upon the inmates of Bellevue, and especially upon our pilgrims. The other guests contrived to amuse themselves in playing cards, learning new dances, with more and more of abandon in their gyrations. Some would get into the arbors and smoke cigarettes; indeed, there was nothing fashionable, or likely to become so, but what these young folks willingly adopted. There was only one question asked: "Are you sure this will be fashionable next winter?"

Fred. Graham, one of the "men about town," and the lover of Euphemia T'nipnose, came up from town and told of a "campmeeting just commencing operations in a beautiful grove, about eight miles off." He was full of enthusiasm at what he had seen while there. He said: "So many pretty girls he never saw collected before; and young gentlemen, too, in any number, with a fair sprinkling of mammas and papas, and preachers. All the preaching was done in the open air in the grove, and all the sleeping under tents and covered-wagons; and he hoped Lady Di. would make up a party and join them."

"O, it is the very thing!" said the girls and their young gentlemen friends.

Sleeping under tents - won't that be fine fun!" said Tom. And it was agreed on all hands that if a tent could be had large enough to cover them, it would be charming, indeed. And, as is always the case where an idea is started among idle people, the suggestion was pursued with zeal. Lord and Lady D. were appealed to, and asked if it were possible to accomplish such a delightful project.

My lord at first thought it impracticable. Miss Gulphin suggested to send for a mainsail of one of her father's vessels, and, by putting a long pole in the crotch of two trees, it could be stretched over as carpets are to be dusted. Lady Di. preferred carpets, of which she had a plenty; and said that then, instead of one tent, they could have six, if they pleased.

Col. and Mrs. Proudfit were in favor of six tents instead of one; and Lady Di. took her husband aside and had a confab, when he came back to the veranda, where this project was being discussed, and said: "Ladies, your wishes shall be complied with. Lady Di.'s plan I am satisfied is best, as is always the case," he added, with a bow, which his lady gracefully acknowledged.

The next day and the day following were occupied by the household and guests in getting ready for the camp-ground. The servants had been sent forward on Saturday morning with carpets, and all the requisite camp-equipage of cots, camp-bedsteads, mattresses, tables, and the like; and after dinner the household set off, with the selected servants, for the camp-ground. They found their tents scattered around on the outskirts of the camp

THE CAMP-GROUND..

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proper, wherever the trees for supporting the cross-pole which held up the carpet could best be found. Everything was done nicely. One tent was devoted to the kitchen; one was called the parlor-tent; one assigned to Lord D., Col. P., and our gentlemen; one to the ladies; another to the gentlemen; and one to Lady Di., Mrs. Proudfit, and our lady-pilgrims. Their servants made their homes in the covered-wagons. The young people declared their pallets of straw were delightful, and the scenery delightful, and the camp delightful; in a word, everything, in the judgment of the party, was delightful, and all were delighted. What a pretty word it is! No wonder it is in such repute.

The camp was formed upon and around a natural hollow, level at the bottom for three hundred feet in diameter. This was open. A slope, reaching a quarter of a mile on all sides, was covered over with shade-trees and undergrowth. The brushwood around the inner circle had been carefully grubbed out, and the thickets and trees closed in the amphitheatre on all sides. Nothing could be better adapted for a camp-ground. A well of pure water was dug in the centre of the hollow, which proved to be neverfailing. It was this hollow that had given to this picturesque spot the name of the "Devil's Punch-bowl;" but, when its facilities for a camp-ground became known, the religionists of Vanity Fair, who regarded it a first duty to hold an annual "Feast of Tabernacles " in the open air, purchased this land, and it was consecrated by them to this use.

The seats were of oaken planks, made smooth, and rose on all sides, with aisles leading to the minister's stand. On the eastern side of the hollow was "The Preacher's Stand," and in front of this an enclosure for converts, known as "The Pen." This

had benches on the sides, and a plank floor, which was covered with clean straw. The preacher's stand would hold fifty persons, if necessary; and two thousand could be comfortably seated in the amphitheatre. All around, under the shade-trees, and next the open space, were tents spacious enough for one or more families. These rose three deep, leaving ample space between the circles; beside these, the covered-wagons (each a temporary home) were sprinkled far and wide to the summit-level of the land.

CHAPTER LXVI.

THE REVEREND BROTHER SOFTANDSWEET.

THE number of persons present on Saturday evening, at six o'clock, was in all about three thousand, men, women, and children. This number was greatly increased on the next day, Sunday, which was appropriately called "The Great Day of the Feast."

Between the hours of six and seven, the multitude supped; and the younger members of the camp, girls with and without bonnets, and young gentlemen in frock-coats and straw hats, were seen climbing the sides of the amphitheatre, from whence a beautiful prospect of the land and a lake was to be seen. The loveliness of this scenery had attracted the attention of Lord D. and his party as they approached the Devil's Punch-bowl; for so it was still familiarly called.

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The fathers and mothers, in sober dresses of extreme simplicity, at sunset made their appearance, and busied themselves in lighting rows of lamps; which, when lit, were hoisted up into the trees, and formed festoons of light on all sides. As darkness grew on, these lamps, and the mass of light in and about the ministers' stand, gave new interest to the place. A signal-horn, for the evening service, was now sounded, which rang around the hills, recalling the wanderers. A great tent disgorged the preachers, who had been holding a meeting of conference, who took their places in the minister's stand; and the seats began to fill up rapidly. At this moment, our pilgrims were requested by Lady Di.'s maid to come to their parlor-tent to tea; and our gentlemen proposed to go, but their ladies preferred to attend divine service. As the gentlemen would have their tea, and the ladies would hear the sermon, a separation was unavoidable.

"While we are here, we ladies ask of you, our protectors, not to be separated from us. Do you promise?" said Annie. To which Frank responded affirmatively; but Oliver seemed doubtful as to making any such pledge. Why do you hesitate, Oliver?" asked his wife.

"I don't see why you should tie us with an extra knot to your apron-string! Among these pious, godly people you can be in no danger of being run away with, unless it be by some of the preachers."

"Seriously, Oliver," said Annie, "though you are in no danger, your wife may be. We are to sleep in a tent with Lady Di. and Mrs. Proudfit. Do you see us there at night, and be there to meet us at sunrise in the morning; that is the protection I ask for myself and Gertrude."