April 17, 2025 • 10 mins
When the Outdoor Girls arrive for their lakeside camping trip, they find their shack destroyed and mysteries abound. Who is sneaking around their campsite? And what secrets does the mountain woman hold?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The Outdoor Girls Around the Campfire by Laura Lee Hope,
A feast for a king. Before the little old Lady
found breath for reply, Betty had darted from the room
after a surprised moment. Amy followed her. Grace and Molly,
following Betty's unexpressed wish, stayed with the old lady. Halfway
(00:24):
down the hill, Amy caught up to Betty, where too,
she asked? Panting? And why the dreadful hurry? Oh, Amy,
exclaimed the little captain, slowing her pace? Did you ever
see anything so pitiful and so dear as that little
old thing? Did you? She's a darling, agreed Amy, warmly.
Imagine her really enjoying being called the old Maid of
(00:46):
the mountains. She's quaint and in some ways rather queer,
admitted Betty, as they reached the main road and swung
along toward the nearest farmhouse. But I reckon she gets
that way from living so much alone, poor little so
she's all together too feeble to live alone, Amy, changing
the subject abruptly, how much cash do you happen to
(01:07):
have on hand? Two dollars and three cents, returned Amy promptly,
I didn't bring much along. Because I thought we wouldn't
need a great deal in the way of provisions. It'll do,
said Betty, adding musingly, I have a dollar, and with
that we ought to get the farmer's wife to give
us a pretty good dinner. What are you going to get,
(01:27):
asked Amy, as they turned into the broad drive that
led up to the rambling porch of the old farmhouse.
A chicken if I can, said Betty. We can cook
it in the old lady's oven. I noticed she had
a pretty hot fire in the stove in spite of
the hot weather. And apple sauce if I can, and
fresh butter, and maybe a homemade pie. Good gracious, cried Amy,
(01:50):
What do you think it is? Thanksgiving? It's going to
be a mighty fine party, if I have anything to
say about it, returned Betty. As the farmer's wife appeared
on the threshold, a gigantic figure of a woman, but
with a rosy, kindly face that attested to her good nature.
As the girls had been there several times before, she
(02:11):
recognized them instantly and greeted them with a broad smile.
Come right into the kitchen, she said, waving a hand
toward the interior of the house, from which floated and
appetizing aroma. I've a pie in the oven, and I'm
afraid it will burn with these words, she vanished, leaving
the girls to follow. This they did eagerly, for the
(02:32):
smell of baking things drew them irresistibly. And now, what'll
you have? Asked the good natured giantess, whose name was
missus Joyce. I've got plenty of fresh eggs today, the
hens have been working overtime, and more milk than I
know what to do with. It'll be a mercy if
you take it off my hands. Betty laughed. It is
(02:53):
very kind of you, she said, But it isn't milk
and eggs that were really after today. You see, we
want the making for a real feast, then, she explained,
while the kindly woman listened with interest and sympathy. And
so you've met the old maid of the mountains, she said,
an indulgent smile on her wide mouth. A queer little soul,
but a good woman for all that. We folk around
(03:15):
here try our best to befriend her, but she's too
proud to take much from us. Sure, if it's a
spread you want, you shall have it. Missus Joyce sent Henry,
the hired man out to kill a chicken, the likeliest
bird in the lot, and the girls waited while the
slain fowl was duly plucked and cleaned. Afterward, the farmer's
(03:36):
wife filled a huge hamper for them, putting in in
spite of their protests, a generous supply of homemade biscuits
and doughnuts, adding as a final glorious gift, a huge
apple pie, which she had taken from the oven, crisp
and flaky of crust. But a moment before, Oh, you're
too good to us, missus Joyce, murmured Amy, longing eyes
(03:58):
on the tempting pastry. We don't deserve it. Anybody who
tries to do good in this world deserves every nice
thing that comes to em, said the good woman stoutly,
as she securely fastened the top of the hamper. Now
be gone with you while I tend to the rest
of my baking. But missus Joyce, we haven't paid you yet,
protested Betty. How much run along with you, repeated the
(04:21):
big woman, already busy with her oven. You don't owe
me a cent. However, Betty, with Amy's help, did finally
get her to consent. To take some money for the feast,
although it was only a tenth of what it was
really worth. And when the girls turned once more toward
the cabin of the Old Maid of the Mountains, it
was with a warm feeling about their hearts. There are
(04:44):
so many lovely people in the world, said Amy contentedly,
As with the basket between them, they toiled up the
steep ascent. I only hope, said Betty in a low tone,
as they stopped before the door of the little cabin,
that our little old lady won't object to our contribut
our feast. I don't think she will returned Amy, as
long as we're going to eat it too. But when
(05:07):
the Old Maid of the Mountains saw what that basket contained,
she was too amazed and bewildered at first to make
any protest, if indeed she had wanted to. She just
sat and stared from one to the other of the girls,
as though she were trying to figure things out. But
what are you going to do, my DearS, she asked
(05:27):
in a plaintive, uncertain little voice that went to Betty's heart.
I don't understand why, explained Betty gaily. If you don't mind,
we've invited ourselves to dinner with you, that is, she paused,
and added, with that pretty deference she always paid to
the old if you are quite sure you don't mind.
She was startled then, and disturbed to see that the
(05:50):
old lady's eyes had suddenly filled with tears. But all
the quaint little person said was I do not mind.
And indeed, as the preparations for the feast gaily proceeded,
it almost seemed as though the little old lady grew younger.
Her eyes became bright, and a color warmed her sweet
old face, making her look more than ever like a
(06:13):
picture out of a story book. It is so lovely
to have young ladies about, she sighed, as Betty gaily
tested the chicken with a fork and proclaimed that it
was done. Youth is a wonderful thing, you said, Betty,
turning to her impulsively. Will never be old. The old
lady shook her head, although the compliment evidently pleased her.
(06:35):
My soul will remain young, perhaps, my dear, she said gently,
But it is my body that must feel the weight
of years. After all, returned the little captain. It is
the soul that really counts. That's what mother says, you
are a dear child, returned the little old lady, reaching
up to pat the hand that Betty had laid on
her shoulder. And you must have a very sweet mother.
(06:58):
I envy her. I have always longed to have a
daughter of my own. At the words, such a look
of sadness spread over the wrinkled old face that Betty
knew she had chanced upon a secret wound in the
old lady's heart. She had a quick moment of wondering
what had been the early life of the old Maid
of the mountains. However, as Molly announced that dinner was
(07:21):
ready to serve, they were soon merry again, crowding eagerly
about the table. Their hostess occupied the seat of honor
at the head of the table, while Betty took the
foot proudly presiding over the carving of the chicken. I
don't know anything about this business, she admitted, as she
severed a brownly roasted leg from the bird with the
(07:42):
aid of a carving knife of finest steel. This was
one thing Betty and the other girls too had noticed
about the contents of the little cabin. Although the furnishings
were scant, they were all of good material. The crockery.
What there was of it was of the finest china,
and the cutlery what there was of that was tempered
(08:03):
steel and real silver. Like the thoroughbred old lady, they
were genuine, seeming strangely incongruous and out of place in
the tumbled down little cabin. She's a mystery, thought Betty,
as she struggled nobly with the chicken. I'd give a
good deal to know something about her past. I reckon,
she's had an interesting one. Take it. All in all,
(08:26):
it was one of the most delicious dinners that the
Outdoor Girls had ever sat down to, and as Molly
afterward observed, that was saying something. As for their quaint
little hostess, it is safe to say she had not
been given such a treat in a long while. She
ate as though she were famished, and Betty realized with
a new rush of pity that what she had at
(08:48):
first suspected was true. The old lady had been really hungry,
half fed. Yielding to the girl's eager entreaties, she even
took a second piece of Missus j Voices wondrous pie,
and when she had finished, she sat back with a sigh,
looking at the girls plaintively. I know I shall be sick,
(09:09):
she said, I have not eaten so much in She
caught herself up suddenly, as though sorry for the admission,
and went on talking hurriedly, trying to cover it up
with a flow of words. After dinner, the girls carefully
cleaned up, anxious that the little old Lady's party should
not be spoiled by any hard work on her part.
(09:31):
And then, as the twilight shadows were beginning to fall,
they knew it would be necessary to hurry if they
were to reach camp before dark. And we're none too
sure of the way either, Molly said to the little
Captain in an undertone. There's no time to waste. But
when they explained this to the old Lady, she seemed
so disappointed and frail and little that they had hard
(09:54):
work to get away at all. Well, come back tomorrow
or next day, Betty promised. As they stepped out into
the open, the old Lady followed them hospitably to the door.
We've just had a lovely time at the edge of
the woods. They turned and looked back. The old Maid
of the Mountains was waving her hand. End of chapter
(10:18):
eighteen
The Outdoor Girls Around the Campfire by Laura Lee Hope,
A feast for a king. Before the little old Lady
found breath for reply, Betty had darted from the room
after a surprised moment. Amy followed her. Grace and Molly,
following Betty's unexpressed wish, stayed with the old lady. Halfway
(00:24):
down the hill, Amy caught up to Betty, where too,
she asked? Panting? And why the dreadful hurry? Oh, Amy,
exclaimed the little captain, slowing her pace? Did you ever
see anything so pitiful and so dear as that little
old thing? Did you? She's a darling, agreed Amy, warmly.
Imagine her really enjoying being called the old Maid of
(00:46):
the mountains. She's quaint and in some ways rather queer,
admitted Betty, as they reached the main road and swung
along toward the nearest farmhouse. But I reckon she gets
that way from living so much alone, poor little so
she's all together too feeble to live alone, Amy, changing
the subject abruptly, how much cash do you happen to
(01:07):
have on hand? Two dollars and three cents, returned Amy promptly,
I didn't bring much along. Because I thought we wouldn't
need a great deal in the way of provisions. It'll do,
said Betty, adding musingly, I have a dollar, and with
that we ought to get the farmer's wife to give
us a pretty good dinner. What are you going to get,
(01:27):
asked Amy, as they turned into the broad drive that
led up to the rambling porch of the old farmhouse.
A chicken if I can, said Betty. We can cook
it in the old lady's oven. I noticed she had
a pretty hot fire in the stove in spite of
the hot weather. And apple sauce if I can, and
fresh butter, and maybe a homemade pie. Good gracious, cried Amy,
(01:50):
What do you think it is? Thanksgiving? It's going to
be a mighty fine party, if I have anything to
say about it, returned Betty. As the farmer's wife appeared
on the threshold, a gigantic figure of a woman, but
with a rosy, kindly face that attested to her good nature.
As the girls had been there several times before, she
(02:11):
recognized them instantly and greeted them with a broad smile.
Come right into the kitchen, she said, waving a hand
toward the interior of the house, from which floated and
appetizing aroma. I've a pie in the oven, and I'm
afraid it will burn with these words, she vanished, leaving
the girls to follow. This they did eagerly, for the
(02:32):
smell of baking things drew them irresistibly. And now, what'll
you have? Asked the good natured giantess, whose name was
missus Joyce. I've got plenty of fresh eggs today, the
hens have been working overtime, and more milk than I
know what to do with. It'll be a mercy if
you take it off my hands. Betty laughed. It is
(02:53):
very kind of you, she said, But it isn't milk
and eggs that were really after today. You see, we
want the making for a real feast, then, she explained,
while the kindly woman listened with interest and sympathy. And
so you've met the old maid of the mountains, she said,
an indulgent smile on her wide mouth. A queer little soul,
but a good woman for all that. We folk around
(03:15):
here try our best to befriend her, but she's too
proud to take much from us. Sure, if it's a
spread you want, you shall have it. Missus Joyce sent Henry,
the hired man out to kill a chicken, the likeliest
bird in the lot, and the girls waited while the
slain fowl was duly plucked and cleaned. Afterward, the farmer's
(03:36):
wife filled a huge hamper for them, putting in in
spite of their protests, a generous supply of homemade biscuits
and doughnuts, adding as a final glorious gift, a huge
apple pie, which she had taken from the oven, crisp
and flaky of crust. But a moment before, Oh, you're
too good to us, missus Joyce, murmured Amy, longing eyes
(03:58):
on the tempting pastry. We don't deserve it. Anybody who
tries to do good in this world deserves every nice
thing that comes to em, said the good woman stoutly,
as she securely fastened the top of the hamper. Now
be gone with you while I tend to the rest
of my baking. But missus Joyce, we haven't paid you yet,
protested Betty. How much run along with you, repeated the
(04:21):
big woman, already busy with her oven. You don't owe
me a cent. However, Betty, with Amy's help, did finally
get her to consent. To take some money for the feast,
although it was only a tenth of what it was
really worth. And when the girls turned once more toward
the cabin of the Old Maid of the Mountains, it
was with a warm feeling about their hearts. There are
(04:44):
so many lovely people in the world, said Amy contentedly,
As with the basket between them, they toiled up the
steep ascent. I only hope, said Betty in a low tone,
as they stopped before the door of the little cabin,
that our little old lady won't object to our contribut
our feast. I don't think she will returned Amy, as
long as we're going to eat it too. But when
(05:07):
the Old Maid of the Mountains saw what that basket contained,
she was too amazed and bewildered at first to make
any protest, if indeed she had wanted to. She just
sat and stared from one to the other of the girls,
as though she were trying to figure things out. But
what are you going to do, my DearS, she asked
(05:27):
in a plaintive, uncertain little voice that went to Betty's heart.
I don't understand why, explained Betty gaily. If you don't mind,
we've invited ourselves to dinner with you, that is, she paused,
and added, with that pretty deference she always paid to
the old if you are quite sure you don't mind.
She was startled then, and disturbed to see that the
(05:50):
old lady's eyes had suddenly filled with tears. But all
the quaint little person said was I do not mind.
And indeed, as the preparations for the feast gaily proceeded,
it almost seemed as though the little old lady grew younger.
Her eyes became bright, and a color warmed her sweet
old face, making her look more than ever like a
(06:13):
picture out of a story book. It is so lovely
to have young ladies about, she sighed, as Betty gaily
tested the chicken with a fork and proclaimed that it
was done. Youth is a wonderful thing, you said, Betty,
turning to her impulsively. Will never be old. The old
lady shook her head, although the compliment evidently pleased her.
(06:35):
My soul will remain young, perhaps, my dear, she said gently,
But it is my body that must feel the weight
of years. After all, returned the little captain. It is
the soul that really counts. That's what mother says, you
are a dear child, returned the little old lady, reaching
up to pat the hand that Betty had laid on
her shoulder. And you must have a very sweet mother.
(06:58):
I envy her. I have always longed to have a
daughter of my own. At the words, such a look
of sadness spread over the wrinkled old face that Betty
knew she had chanced upon a secret wound in the
old lady's heart. She had a quick moment of wondering
what had been the early life of the old Maid
of the mountains. However, as Molly announced that dinner was
(07:21):
ready to serve, they were soon merry again, crowding eagerly
about the table. Their hostess occupied the seat of honor
at the head of the table, while Betty took the
foot proudly presiding over the carving of the chicken. I
don't know anything about this business, she admitted, as she
severed a brownly roasted leg from the bird with the
(07:42):
aid of a carving knife of finest steel. This was
one thing Betty and the other girls too had noticed
about the contents of the little cabin. Although the furnishings
were scant, they were all of good material. The crockery.
What there was of it was of the finest china,
and the cutlery what there was of that was tempered
(08:03):
steel and real silver. Like the thoroughbred old lady, they
were genuine, seeming strangely incongruous and out of place in
the tumbled down little cabin. She's a mystery, thought Betty,
as she struggled nobly with the chicken. I'd give a
good deal to know something about her past. I reckon,
she's had an interesting one. Take it. All in all,
(08:26):
it was one of the most delicious dinners that the
Outdoor Girls had ever sat down to, and as Molly
afterward observed, that was saying something. As for their quaint
little hostess, it is safe to say she had not
been given such a treat in a long while. She
ate as though she were famished, and Betty realized with
a new rush of pity that what she had at
(08:48):
first suspected was true. The old lady had been really hungry,
half fed. Yielding to the girl's eager entreaties, she even
took a second piece of Missus j Voices wondrous pie,
and when she had finished, she sat back with a sigh,
looking at the girls plaintively. I know I shall be sick,
(09:09):
she said, I have not eaten so much in She
caught herself up suddenly, as though sorry for the admission,
and went on talking hurriedly, trying to cover it up
with a flow of words. After dinner, the girls carefully
cleaned up, anxious that the little old Lady's party should
not be spoiled by any hard work on her part.
(09:31):
And then, as the twilight shadows were beginning to fall,
they knew it would be necessary to hurry if they
were to reach camp before dark. And we're none too
sure of the way either, Molly said to the little
Captain in an undertone. There's no time to waste. But
when they explained this to the old Lady, she seemed
so disappointed and frail and little that they had hard
(09:54):
work to get away at all. Well, come back tomorrow
or next day, Betty promised. As they stepped out into
the open, the old Lady followed them hospitably to the door.
We've just had a lovely time at the edge of
the woods. They turned and looked back. The old Maid
of the Mountains was waving her hand. End of chapter
(10:18):
eighteen
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