Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-16
LOCAL SUMMARY
Picnic at Lannon's Springs.

For the Free Press.
On Friday last, the 10th instant Picnic was
given at Lannon's Sulphur Spring, near Mill Greek,
in Berkeley, and as true merit deserves praise, it
could not have been more justly bestowed than
upon this occasion.
The pleasures of such an occasion are so often
married by incement weather, that we were sur
prised to find the day propitious, considering the
many days that have passed of incessant heat and
drouth The sun arose brilliantly, and soft breeze,
as it came gently sweeping from the long line of
mountains that grid our own historic and beloved
Valley on the West foretold the hilarity and mith
in store for those who should attend, and bespoke
a time of gayety and happiness for all generally.
Our Valley Historic made by the many deeds of
valor displayed upon her fertile fields during the
late bloody conflict; and beloved because here are
our homes and our friends, and here we expect to
lie and sleep that quiet sleep that knows no waking
and because at every pore she bed over devastated
fields and burning homes, and wept DER her fallen
braves.
At an early hour carriages were seen rolling in
10 the scene of mirth from the many different direc-
tions-young ladies and gentlemen on horseback
and in short time were assembled very intelli-
gent and interesting crowd of young persons, and
as we gazed around upon that galaxy of beauty, we
were lost in admiration, because our eyes never be-
fore behed fairer scene. Bright eyes and merry
faces predicted for occasion fraught with hap
piness and enjoyment Nor were we in the least
mistaken. During the morning there seemed to be
general disinterestedness on the part of the fair
ones in regard to dancing, but as half dozen cou-
pies from the fair town of Smithfeld walked up and
took their places on the PLATFORM floor bedded
in the banks of the Mill Creek, hid from the rays of
the sun by over-arching trees,-and inaugurated
the days enjoyments by forward four" there
seemed to be no tagging afterwards. Set after set
came up, and each couple, with its vis-cris, took
its place with perfect regularity and order, and
the splendid music broke uponthe air, and the merry
coupleslost in the mazes of the dance, we could
plainly see from the beaming eyes and blooming
faces that Mat for which they sought had been a.
warded them far beyond their anticipation.
Among the many faces we recognized number
of our Berkeley lady friends, who were present to
lend the light of their countenance to the array of
beauty which environed us. The beauty and youth
of Smithfeld, too, were there, and as we gazed up
on its loneliness we were led to exclaim with Gold
smith
"Sweet Auburn Lov'd city of the Plain
The fare was sumptuous, Judging from the many
large and well-fed baskets, and to the fair owner
of one large basketwe feel greatly indebted for he
da mites which we enjoyed on the occasion.
The music was fine; the dancing very animatiug;
and as the sun sank to rest beneath the Western no.
rizon and tinted the clouds with crimson glow, it
warned the festive party of the approach of night
and ere many reached their homes the sable curtain
had been thrown, and left them to wend their way
beneath the silent stars. $50.