The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-22
For the Union.
WYE LA BAGATELLE
OUR PICNIC.

WYE LA BAGATELLE
OUR PICNIC.
One fine day, 1--WE won't tell anybody when, ex-
cept that it was as near last Monday as one day can
conveniently get to another,) in the woods, 1--WE
won't tell the woods either, except that it was the
pretiest grove in all these parts there took place as
joyous picnic as ever p,ade woods or grove re-
sound with useful mirth or salutary gee.
But all this is far too important matter to pass
quietly down the stream of time mngling undistn
guishcd with dull notices of "poiiiics," "auciion
sales" prices Of Stocks" clecons, foreign neirs
'Jashio,,s," "births," even marriages" or any
such trash nowadays, in these degenerate times
fill the newspapers
''Oh oh. for the days of Robin Hood" and his
merry men, when under the greenwood tree all ma
ture smiled and thoughts were boundess as (their)
souls were free" Now, we don't care who knows
it, but if we were not as merry as Robin Hood, or
any Of his awkward full-grown cubs, then mirth,
music, melons, amt spelt with an any more than
is charming Betty M--n's name; and, we guess,
she don't want to change itsyet, does Fanny,
nor Sarah, nor little Emma either; and won't for
many long day TO come, except when called up at
school for talking two octaves above their breath.
What fun we had! The old folks kept out Of the
way till evening; and such nice time! Poor Miles,
the fiddler, all used up. Positively at last, he
was not worth one demisemiquaver, when Miss
B--tt--n and fifteen more of us stood up for a
dance, at sunset. How many there were of us,
in all, there was no telling Such dancing and
flying about among the trees You might as well
set the multiplication table to jig tune, and count
it up without your specs But that Georgia Miss
o. was hardest TO count We gave it up, after put
ting her down sixteen times and half, and then
had to forget the whole when she looked at us--oh
she too pretty and full Of fun! And then, too,
the violcs seemed to spring "elastc from the airy
tread" Of her friend Voetta il in due honor their
namesake, and that in loneliness she rivaIed them
Florence and Gertrudefresh, fair and he,u green, to
the last; while the Youngs grew day older, and
did not know it, time passed so pleasantly. But
were they not all pretty! Adele CTS lovely bud
ding figure and swec. iace-she babe 'tceicome TO
The merry greenicood;'' while AIDE S. scattered mirtb
to the breeze from her wild Iuxurant ringlets. Ma
ria 1t so graceful, pretty, and SO mild and gen.
tie. Mary rs, with her sweet, dove-like face,
and beautiful eyes, shared with her sister of the
uxurian tresses, our admiration. Come oh! come ~
sang fairy, as we thought; (it Sarah S--b,
one of the lovellest of lovely parterre)
The rose Is fairest when it's budding new"
Our rose-buds were fairest of the fair-not only
fair, but good as they were fair Betty Mn,
tho sweet, warm-heared girl. Oh! she did charm all
with her amiabe grace; and sister Fanny, too, lively
as bee-fun, frolic, mrth was there. But bark!
what sounds these The guitar preludes voice
of unsurpassed melody and richness--'tis Anna c.,
gentle and amiabe as she is. She sings-and unmoved
in attitude or limb we listen, afraid to disturb the
sweetest warbling that ever echoed the woods and
wilds around. The dying notes murmured still in
the 'forest o. green" when Old Miles and accom-
paniments struck up, and we, the lads and asses foot
it merrily, while others sweet upon the refresh
ments in plenty cornered among the trees and taste
fully, kindly, and abundanty did Mrs. minister
our "fxens" to our hearty appetites But where
could she have found farer minlstering madens
than Fanny and Kate F----n' Fanny with every
charm to win her way to all hearts, Lewis M. was
naughty fellow to frighten her with that fiery
steed of his, coming home;) and sister Kate,
with more dimples and roses her cheeks
than would serve to convuer regiment of light
Dragons. Hank Again and again we
shout" Welcome you're ,oeicome TO the merry green
,coodn Who comes' IT'S Miss B-n Of Missouri,
and her fair friend, Miss Ny Of Richmond. |
Thrice welcome Miss B----n; we all know you
for the gentle, the kind, and the warm-hearted; all
your fathers soul shines in your eyes. Miss !
Ny we first admired as a stranger, and loved
as amiable and charming before "the shades of
eve."
Again, "Welcon,e, you're ,ceicome," to the Misses
He; and again to others-the gentle Ruth BID.
Such a clatter--such catter we kept up! We
are sure nobodys tongue was ster than his heels,
and they were never still eve don't like to say
this of the iassies and lads say of ourselves;
but mem.--they came in for full share.) We had !
the French, too, among us-the dear little parson-
ages how pretty they were, and how well they be-
haved
What with dancing, chattering, music mischief,
feasting, walking, wandering, &C., &C., the day
passed over in about thrce-quarters of an hour.
When the sun prematurely declined in the hori-
zon, then the old folks began to wake up,
and were down upon Such ratling
down Of carriage-steps, (the worst music we
had that day. Miss Anna Pc was among
us at hop-skip-and-a.jump. Quickly we /
greeted the joyous girl, and had her out for
a dance. She can't be beat any how for fun,
frolic, or good nature. Mrs. Mn, the honored,
loved, and respected of all--everywherc the sob
served Of all Observation-Disclosures more slowly,
though none the less kindly, to grace festival
We all united to greet her. The highest law officer
of Uncle Sam found nobody TO mpeach and hang;
so he ate our peaches, and hung his hat upon the
trees, amiaby bent on having share of the fun,
His good lady won no new laurels Of our love, for
we long had given her them all before. Mr. and
Mrs. C., and all the 'elderlies," came, and, we
must say, behaved themselves with becoming pro-
priety, considering their years, and that their
watches were all too fast We had bid "Malise
speed--speed Mase;" spread the news--a picnic
all oper the border. The tocsin went far and ,ride
Whoever Jagged behind missed tive tell 'em.
Twas their own fault.
But now we've had our fun; and well we know
that "childhood's froic hours brief" and that
lessons, study, and emulation to please the kind
cold folks" must be the order Of the day; that, at
another season, may feast and frolc again; and,
when next we do, may you all be there to see
THE BOYS.
WAsHNeroN, August 81, 1s45.