The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1859-07-09
For the Patriot.
WASHINGTON, La.
DEAR Mr.. ED1ron :

DEAR Mr.. EDlroR:
What an audacious parsonage yon must
consider me to thus recklessly invade the pri-
vacy of your sanctum, a spot prohibited to
strangers; but pardon me, The temptation is
too great to be resisted, aud l am net quite
fearless, for l tremble to think l msu off nd
you. Pshaw! | intended to win your approo-
baton ut once by depth and profrldity Of my
first paragraph, but / find ii lavors of nothing
except egntism n'importe it is written
now, and like the laws Of the Modes and Per.
sians,-unalterab,e,
Dear Mr.. Editor, did you ever attend a
picnic? II not, how can I describe to you
the unalloyed feeling of pleasure aud freedom
which on, experiences while revealing meath
the deep shadows of the forest trees ? Onr,
picnic was a day of fun aud lrulic, coming like
"a CLEAN OF light amid the routine Of dull and
commonplace existence: our party started ear
~ leaving dear old Washington behind MS, we
hastened on TO the shady wood, and chose a
spot, oyerhnng by a-green canopy Of thickly
interviewer leaves, eftctuaIly excluding the
scorcliing rays of the samnler sun.
Merry pearls Of laughter Weakened echoes
which startled the teai hcry warblers as they
.ang and Good among the waving branches
above US; and many a glance Of mischief
lirked in the bright eyes half hidden, halt
revealed beneath the broad brine the ladies'
rognish hats.
The cushions being removed from the car
rlases. and placed at the foot Of trees were
used as chairs, and seated there we laughed
aud chatted until the ladies' wandered in groups
through the woods gathering wild flowers, and
the gentlemen stroiled to the banks ot the
neighbprlng bayon, and amused themselves
catching fish for dinner. Having succeeded in
catching sufficient fish it was duly prepared
and cooked, and the snowy cloth laid ON the
grassy ground; the rest Of the edibles being
unpacked we seated ourselves determined to do
justice to the fare before us. thereby strength
ening the = inner man y for our ho,neward re-
turn.
All etiquette and was banisl,el
from our rural board; the champagne corks
flew in every direction, and many a Joke was
said that caused The old words to echo back
t,lr wild and excessive laughter: Jokes which
were too rich to be repeated ;-too. good to be
told even to you dear Mr.. Editor.
The Young ladies were very much comp)i-
'hented by the gentlemen for the excellence of
Their cakes, pies, etc. Some Of the gentlemen
,dssrlayedsqnite q penchaut fora dish of salad
which gracedsou table, aud disposed Of it in
remarkably short time.
50 doug did we lipger cracking nuts and
jf~kes,--g'vings and drinking toasts that the
sun wearysdf waiting for us, warned us to de-
ltart before be sank to rest. Were not the
s.,briety and steaai6sss of The people of Wash.
'lihgtm known fin and wide, some might be
inclined to doubt of our capacity in arriving
home safely, bat be it known that ouly one
accident occurred, and that was fhe Gaalt Of
the horses-something being the matter with
them; no, one was able to decide exactly what,
atl OF US being ignorant, concerning The man.
ner in which picnics generally affected horses.
SO ended our picnic lie DESCRIPTION falls
far short ofsthe reality !: to have a correct
idea OF our enjoyment il requires to be present
IN pr"prla persona. Insthe evening G all met
at our Pown lfall and e winged il on the LIGHT
fantastic toe" until finding that the sabbath
was %dawning on hastily bid goodnight and
retired Dear Mr.. Editor. the next picpic we
have, You must throw aside your musiv, dusty
papers; Danish the frowns which pecessarily
darken an editors brow and iuin us. Wa
promise you u cordial welcome. And now. I
Will close my nonsensicar letter are YOU not
to have me come to a conclusion?
oood-nye. Yours truly,
PAUL PRy.