New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-06-21
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL.

On Thursdav morning. the steamer Columbia and
an attendant barge freigbed with the precious life of
Plymouth Church and Sabbath-School, left Brooklyn
for Duvdss Island place about - miles up the Fast
River from New ork. nearly opposite Nes-Rochee.
IL TIE early morning, little eyes peered out anNousy
through the mist and the rain, and Little hearts beat
faster than usual, until loving mammas again assured
them 90 they should CO. and alder ones feared not
lees for themselves, perhaps, than for the chidreAi
but at the appointed time every vestige of fear had
vanished in the sunlight, and, as we started on our
way sparkling waters never reflected back the smiles
Of fifteen hundred happier faces.
II was warm 10 be sure, but the inspiring music Of
Dodworth's band made forget all things disagree
able and if the Infinite Father hears the murmurs OF
love Fl, H. below, he must have listened to the glad
songs Of his praise that went up TO Heaven from tho
rejoicing freight Of the Columbia and Poughkoepsie.
After pleasant sail of two hours or more, up the
East River the steamer and its mate poured forth
their living tide and the little Island almost desolate
an hour before suddenly kindled with Hood of youth
and beauty. The crowd in debarking was not alto
ge;her agreeable; but the freedom Of the land aud
its breath of Summer sweetness all the more de-
lcious for tie discomfort Of the moment before.
The two very bar-like buildings, in which the
leland glcried, hardly oapacious enough for the
wants Of the multitude, but then there was plenty Of
outdoor room. The stnted foliage Of the scraggy
eyergreens had evidently failed in lis first intentions,
and was scarcely neghbory enough to shield us from
the sum but with the ad Of shawls umbrellas aud the
friendly rocks, some shady hooks were made and
guodly companies altered here and there. according
to their respective anities, proceeded to discuss the
desirable depths Of weled baskets and stores. Then
followed pleasant picture, as glowing with life and
motion a. schooboys playground after dinner.
The water was studded with tiny boats, where soft
"eyes looked love to eyes that spoke again.. Children
were paying upon the rocks, swinging in the air. or
watching the genes Of quoits and footballs In which
older ones were engaged But in time some grew weary
and cast lingering glances toward two little tickets OF
yellow and red upon which printed words deli
ciously suggestive Of good things. Soon the even
NEST important to the Little folk announced to me
by a little fellow "a be discovered the oxen with the
strawbcrry and cream laden cart in the distance.
Jumping up, he capped his hands and screamed a
the top Of his voice. "Tbc big cows are coming, and
50 they were dragging after hem the richest oflcxures
The strawberries and were both delicious and
most generously abundant and one, who was will
ing to wait, went away unsatisiied. Those who
pushed and crowded for fear Of losing their share did
not understand the generous and bountiful mu-
niieence Of the comnissarlat departm emit But when
the last lingorer bad taken bis fill, of what remained
there were more than seven baskets full The salts
fed sought again tie places where there was room
enough and to spare, and the swing, the ball and
the quots were Piled with redoubled energy, while
a few kept time, sth ready feet, to the sound Of
merry music.
1t was happy gathering, and perhaps the happies',
rerriest Of them all was Mr.. Beecher himself, as he
moved here and there, with kind word OF greeting
and genial smile FOR everybody. He amused large
and attentive audience bya successful game at quolt
and was alogetherlke other human folks in his man
ner Of pleasing and being pleased
The homeward call sounded all too soon for the play
loving company but mothers looked tired and care
WON, and burned faces, shoulders and arms showed
that the sun had uscd somewhat freely, his power OF
maIring human beauty.
The clouds that had tantalzed u all day gave at
LAST the blessing without the annoyance Of the shower
that passed Just south Of NJ, and those that were
weary forgot i. in the delicious coolress Of the
evening breeze and glad songs more joyful possible
than tho.e of the morning. were snng in praise OF Him
who ssid what the banners kept repeating, a. they
waved above us Every human being we saw was
greeted with the waving OF numberess handkerchief,
ard az the steamer Plymouth Rock came in sight, 1t
seemed g. II an electrical current connected the two
vessels, the people On each simultaneously bursting
into one Glad hunah the noble steamer passed us on
her New Englend-bound voyage The Common
wealth next greeted us and hearts, beating patriot
cal!y beneath many vest, answered to the inspiring
strains Vi Yankee Doodle
Tie emerald shores, in oil their cultured beauty,
contrasted fayorsbly with the barren spot We had
lust left and the lights and shadows Of the fohsge
wer, made most exquisite by the dark bank Of clouds
on the one side and the gorgeousy setting the
other. God. glory ives resting upon everything;
ever Bacwers Island, that home of misery, in and
shame seemed at this hour 70 contain hearts longing
only for the beautiful end the true, anf knew some
few were cheered fox the moment as they greeted us
from the womens workhouse, and were greeted again
by the happy and the free.
Tie band played their farewell, and the company
sang with them Aud Lang Syne that song that
hal never grow old long as there are days gone
! by dear and sweet 10 be remembered.
| Thi- had been such day to many and those will
remember gratefully the exertons OF those to whom
they were indebted for much Of pleasure viz: Mr..
NJ = Beach d.. T.. II. Morrill,, Theodore Tilton, Mr.
Wheeler, Nr. and Mr.. Bradshaw, Mis- Pesslee Mss
Hall and Mis- Whitney,. May their every effort in
/ life De crowned with Ike success, and they be
/ blessed sbundsntly in blessing others. CARRIE.
| MENIcAS SuE-TIe " o. Pi>avuae mas examined