Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-14
COUNTRY PICNIC.
Happy Gathering at Bray's station
and cheerful Description.
Bays STATION, M. d C. X. r..
Au0uat ~ 1890


BRAY's STATION, M. d c. r.. RI
August 49, 1863. }
EDITORS LEDGER: On yesterday, while
all hearts were turned in the direction Of
Bartlett's and other simultaneous amuse-
ments Of the most absorbing character,
we we're attracted hither to the above
place by one Of the most pleasant rural
social gatherings 10 the way of picnic
We ever enjoyed. 1t was improvised by
the farming community of Bray's
Station, prominent among whom were
our genial and jolly old friend, V. Fl.
Swift, Esq, Mr.. Tom Taylor, Colonel
Shelby, Mr.. Persons, and others, who
won many thanks for the manner in
which everything was conducted.
The place selected for this delightful
affair was under the cool shade of a
large cluster of oaks, in the beautiful
grove adjoining the very elegant country
residence Of your postmaster, Mr.. Josiah
Deloach. A more delectable spot could
not have been chosen, as 1t was sur
rounded on ell sides by wide open fields,
which permitted the cool and refreshing
breezes to circulate freely during the
entire day.
Despite the intense heat Of the weather
and the intolerable state of the dust on
all the roads leading thereto, many came
some from quite distance. Dancing
was made unusually pleasant and agree
able for this season of the year by the
RECALLING influence of the locality. The
one o'clock train having arrived, dinner
was announced; and such feast is less
oftener seen than spoken or written of.
All sorts of barbecue were piled up in
dishes on the grooming tables, while the
profuson of spring ohioksn, both fried
and baked, transcribed the immense
| filings of Methodist camp ground.
After having enjoyed this sumptuous re-
past, all soon found themselves again
wrapt in the mszes of the dance, keeping
time to the symphony Of such enchanting
and exquisite mgsie that seeHed ALMOST
to cause the BRANCHES Of the old oak trees
to incline in listening attitude. There
was present the most brilliant array Of
rustic beauty we have ever seen on any
OCCASION, add which msy we'll be de-
scribed by the following lines from
Shakespeare:
Beauty: IT'S the stainless soul within
That outshines the fairest skin"
We would beg your forbearance,
Messrs. Editors, for getting SO poetical,
for such sight is apt to arouse the sem
timentality of most any susceptible youth.
We think that our fair country lssses
differ somewhat from young, gay city
bellies, both in the healthy bloom Of their
cheeks aud, also, in the unaffected sim
plicity Of their manners.
We will mention few of those from
distance. The very graceful and pretty
Misses Fanny B Kitty r and Miss W.
we're there from Germantown, and Col
| llerville was represented by the beautiful
Miss F. and her no less admired cousins
Misses Cora and Matte F.. also, we're
present Miss Sallie B. and sister, who
were bewitchingly lovely. Miss Ida 81.
was one of Mscon's beautiful representa-
tives. Early Grove and Mt Pleasant
| each sent one of their most charming
belles-Miss Bette B. frop tho former.
and Miss O. from the latter place. The
two sister-beauties from Fisherville-
Miss Alice M. and Miss Bette m.-were
the observed of all observers. And lastly,
but by no means the least, were Miss
Jennie s. and Miss Alice H., frop your
city, vho Yere gseatiy admired. Mr..
Joseph A. Parker was the only gentle-
man from your city, and seemed to en-
joy it hugely. After dancing the whole
live-loug day, the entire party was in
vited by Mrs. j. ]. Bailey to her beauti-
full residence not far of, where the fes-
tivities were prolonged through the night.
In her hands we leave them, and will
conclude By saying that this vas one os
the most delightful days we ever enjoyed.
&. A. 81.