Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-07-31
This Picnic at the Monument.
RIVER FALLS. July Is, 1861


ny,s JOURNAL Had you passed through
our village about o'clock yesterday morning
YOU might have recognised groups of your ju-
venile friends standing in night robes at the
windows of their respective homes. Each
little face peering anxiously out, looked sadly
distressed as the rain poured down and the
SKY looked darker. Within older heads pom
dered upon their pillows as to how and where
the children could celebrate if the storm sho'd
continue preventing their picnic excursion
For this was the day to which the children of
River Falls and Pleasant Valley had been
looking for fortnight as ' the good time COM
ing" when they were to meet with teachers
and friends at the Monument for whole day
Of enjoyment.
In the course of an hour or two little faces
Strengthened out and little tears dried, as the
bright friendly sun caressed the black clouds
into better behavior, and finally dispersed
them quite. Then there was marshalling at
the church Of hosts of children, little and big,
who were cayefully slowed away in the nu-
eesson they made. The first three were four
horse wagons, decked with evergreens, and
filed to the brim with bright-eyed, white
dressed little misses and merry rosetted boys.
Then came two-horse wagons, carriages, bug
gies, etc, until il seemed that the world and
BIS wife with their numerous family were
surely en- route for the celebration. Each
class carried the Flag of our Country or some
approximate and tasteful banner. A fine iith-
ograth of General Scott, with crimson frame
and tassels-for which the boys were indebted
TO yeur Editer-sttracted much attention.
Just beyond the General, In the same long
wagon was a pretty banner, on which the
words Union Forever" were enwrcathed with
flowers and eyergreens. This was carried by
sclass of fairy girls.
In due time all arrived safely at the Monu-
ment, where every provision had been made
for comfort and pleasure. The speakers stand
vas erected in a grove, and the little folks
seated in front presented beautiful appear
snce in their holiday faces and dress. The
Under Mr.. Powells superintendent was adj
mirsble and reflected great credit upon him.
self and the teachers present After prayer,
by Rev. Mr.. Stevens, and some sweet singing
BY the children, came several addresses
with one exception they were not specially
adapted to Juvenile hearers, and to our think
ing, were unnecessarily long. To tell the
truth, We were tired and hungry, and suspec-
Ted the children also would prefer with US a
Sandwich to the Sandwich Islands, ETC. of the
discourse. The power to interest children is
rare gift, and many eloquent speakers who
can entrance an adult audience fail to impress
the little ones So we would ask those who
"eannOt talk to children" not to "play on a
harp of a thousand strings before dinner es-
pecialy. And this reminds us of an instru-
ment apparently very popular with the wee
bodies OF this region.
Repeatedly through the day we heard
Lutte" wished for most earnestly, and many
regrets that wishing was all in vain.
The dinner hour arrived. The children
waiting on this day for Ne. (which gener-
ally falls to the juniors. Didn't we survey
these tables with longing eyes and "wish we
we're child again 2" Profusely ornamented
with flowers and covered with everything
nice-trout, chickens, pies, pyramids, pud
diDgs and tarts-we wondered those children
Could help "eating themselves sick" as
mothers say. Then there were cakes that
wore wreaths of roses-cakes that were round
and cakes that were high-cakes from which
the star spangled banner waved-but not long
eiu IL waVe-and cakes of every species of
genus In the centre of one, unfrosted, unor-
Aamented, rose a white flag; The surface of
ms cake was not smooth. In some period of
eievation, as geologist would say, a portion
Oi II had irregularly risen far above surround
ing nonOtony, like mountain on prairie
Oh the white flag was written" Just escaped
Tue irost' The effect of early rising"
AFTER dinner some hours were devoted to
pay and grand play it was. Old
iOlks and young enioyed themselves 70 THAR
neaft content Somegentlemen, well known
singers here, assembled the monument and de-
hgh'ed us with several songs from its summit
songs both Of patriotism and sentiment
40 US 'hs musical entertainment was the treat
"a ''ie day' After recess came more speeches.
.a aa 'Nei teams were driven up-children hun
- up ana honeward bound we all started
OA' and pleasant ride va fo,rd = ,etor