A girl who lived in the country and had some city friends visiting
her gave them the time of their lives at a bacon bat. She telephoned
around to some of the young people and invited them to appear about
five o'clock in picnic clothes. The hike wouldn't be long, she
announced.
At the specified time a jolly bunch assembled to squabble
good-naturedly over the various packages and bundles assigned to them
to be carried. Under the hostess's direction they betook themselves
via footpath and trail to a stone-walled pasture spicy with sweet
fern.
Long toasting switches were readily cut by the boys from the trees in
the vicinity and wood was collected for two fires. Over one the coffee
was set to boil, and over the other the young folks proceeded to toast
bacon. Rolls were provided in which to insert the crisp juicy morsels
after toasting, and each person ate his or her own bacon sandwiches
broiling hot without further ceremony.
Cucumber pickles and mustard proved popular accompaniments and the
coffee was appreciated--drunk from tin cups.
There followed some huckleberry turnovers and homemade cookies, but on
top of the bacon and rolls they were almost superfluous.
Instead of bacon, chops, steak, or Frankfurters may be roasted, as
well as corn in season, but bacon is the least messy to eat.
Following the supper came stories and songs around the bonfire till
late in the evening. The city guests enjoyed it all because to them it
was so great a novelty. For the hostess it was a much easier way to
introduce her guests to her friends than a more formal affair would
have been.
A bacon bat is especially fun in spring or fall, but is also very
enjoyable on the beach in summer vacation time.
A marshmallow roast in the evening is first cousin to a bacon bat.