Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-07-28
THE PICNIC.
By JAMES H. DANA.

ances. f'WeIl, for my part, I've a great
mind to stay away. A School-teacher
is no company for me-
"The next step will be-" said one OF
the group, ''that our kitchen girls will
be associating with u.s."
81 wonder who asked herr" enquired
another.
81 don't know" replied Mary How
ell; "brother Frank told me"-
As she spoke the parlof door opened,
and a handsome young man, about FIVE
and-twenty, entered, exclaiming,
"What is it you have to say about
me? Good day, ladies. l heard my
name as 1 passed through the hall, and
stepped in to see what treason could be
plotting. So many pretty girls cannot
get together without mischief"
He laughed as he spoke, and bis fair
auditors laughed too; for Frank Howell
was a general favorite, being as rich,
amiable, and talented as he was good
looking.
1--WE were plotting no treason" re-
piled his sister, "but wondering who had
invited Emily Saunders to the picnic to-
morrow"
at was friend of mine" said Frank
promptly.
"Who?"
"Ah! there you must excuse me
All l can say is, that like myself he is
one of the managers, and has full au-
thority to ask whomever he pleases.-
But what is the objection to Miss Saun-
ders?"
"She's nothing but a school-teacher, ="
retorted his sister, contemptuously.
ooh! that's it, is it?' said Frank,
and there was bit of sarcasm in his
tone, as he proceeded. ga school
teacher is not refined enough for my fine
lady of sister-is too ignorant, l sup
pose, and can't converse as well as her
companions. 1t is too late, sister mine,
to prevent her going, but can tell my
friend the state of the case, and as he is
desperately in love with Miss Saunders,
perhaps he won't regret being compelled
tomonopolize her for himself. Of course
none of you, suppose, will speak to
her."
"No, no." said several voices, whose
owners did not care to sink in Frank s
opinion, and who saw that he was, in
part, the champion of Miss Saunders
''no, no, that would be rude. We viii
be civil to her, certainly"
"But she will not be welcome" said
Frank, looking around the circle, "that
is plain to perceive. However, ladies
as the invitation has been given, am
glad to see that there is no disposition tc
insult her. It's rather odd, though, thai
in this republican country, an amiablt
young lady is Stunned by her sex, be
cause the misfortunes of her family have
compelled her to teach school for a live
lihood."
"That's all very well for stump ora
tor when he is canvassing to be elected
to Congress, replied his sister, "anC
| you, though physician, have an ambi
3 ton that way, l suspect. Only don
8 practice beforehand on us. You would
not seriously have your sister intimate
with a girl who worked for her living.
a "And why not?" said Frank, his tin'
eyes flashing. "Is it any more disgrace
! for a woman to work than for MANI
l honor the woman who supports her
a self, if poor, far more than the one VIII
\ becomes tax on relatives"
''That sounds very grand" said hi
: sister, with sneer; "but how can a girl
who spends her time in teaching, be eli
n ther accomplished or refned?"
f "Very often," replied Frank, warm
ly, ''they are the most truly accomplish
: ed and refined of their sex. Mrs. Jud
o son, once Fanny Forester, was schoC
|, teacher, and who can question her re
r fnement, accomplishment, or worth?-
+ Hundreds of others might be named a
so. The life of idleness in which mo;
: wealthy and fashionable ladies indulge
/ is not, allow me to say, half as well ca
e culated to develop the higher qualities {
II your sex as teaching school and suffer
o ing privation. doubt if anybody, ma
+ or woman, is good for much till the
a have been proved and strengthened b
ir the trial of life; and the gossiping, dave
4 ling existence of fine lady offers n
% such opportunities. Ny friend, l thinl
has chosen wisely to select self-su
! tanned, energetic, yet refined and INTEL
m gent woman like Miss Saunders. 4
$ will, when he marries, have wife, n,
As plaything."
lei And, with these words, he bowed 6
ell round and left the room.
III His hearers were in consternatio
Such sentiments they had never befo
m heard urged so boldly; and many, WI
We courted Franks good opinion, regrett'
he I that they had allowed their antipathy
f. Miss Saunders to be seen. The conye
sation accordingly grew tame; one
one the fair gossips dropped off; and, b
"a fore long, Mary Howell was left alone
it Itwas Just after sunrise, on the folio
n ing morning, that Emily Saunders sto,
in before the looking glass, in her sma
yer yet neat little chamber, completing
ok toilet for the picnic. Her dress was
virgin white, and she was placing in
bosom a moss-rose bud, the morni
m gift of her partner for the day, who v
mt waiting below. A blush was on l