Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-09-30
MY LAST PICNIC.

Until last month, l had not been to
picnic for years. l went then, and it has
left an unpleasant impression on my mind,
and l haven't hankered for any picnic
since. 'sG t
~ When Mary and and my Mother-in-
law came to the city to live, we made some
very excellent acquaintauces; the-Roots
and the Buffers and the Tafhnys; people
who were sociable, aud who always accept
ed our invitation to tea, and borrowed
money Of US with confidence which was
touching to witness. And when warm
weather came they invited us to picnics.
aud fish fries, and anniversaries, and all
that and if Mrs. Root insisted on doing
more than her share, they didn't cross her
in the least, for they all seemed to doat on
our family. And everything was very
gay.
Well, it got to be the last Of the season,
and as wiud,up they proposed sail
down the lake, landing at a certain popular
resort, from which we we're to take our
baskets. trudgc Saily away to some retired
nook, and there enjoy quiet picnic; a
banquet of sandwiches, boiled eggs, LEM
onadc and doughnuts, eaten "'neath an
umbra.cous oak, with the green, velvety
carpet of nature extending for miles around
us, while in the distance could be seen
myriads of white sails dotting the placid
surface of the grand old Michigan"
There were twelve couples Of US, and
VIC we're to assemble upon the wharf in
season for the FIRST steamer, each with a
basket of eatables. and all other prepara.
tions necessary to make day Of it.
The day opened clear aud bright, aud
Mrs Dorkcy and were on hand in good
season. with baskets, waterproof, umbrella,
and other refreshments. We found the
ladies' Of our party waiting for us, but
their husbands had not arrived. Business
would detain them in town for an hour or
two, it seemed, but they would certainly
follow us in the next steamer. This
marrcd the pleasure of the trip somewhat.
because l had to pay all the fares in the
steamer, none of the ladies volunteering
any currency whatever. However,
didn't complain, for l know that such
things arc always expected of men.
The ladies'. bless their hearts, don't think
Of such things. Every thing of pecu,
mary nature is necessarily low, and their
natures are not vulgar enough to grasp it
| consider that the paying for everything
devoted to feminine use is one of the
sweetest boons vouchsaicd to man told
these eleven females So. They smiled a
pensive smile Ny Mother in law. who
carried the bottle of cold tea, said | was
an old fool.
We soon reached our destination, and
-aily discmbarked. loaded myself with
baskets, waterproofs, etc. in the most gal
liant manner, and prepared to lead of in
quest of favorable spot for our pic mic
AS We emerged from the landing we
were accos,cl by man with a whip in his
hand. who asked us with much solicirudc
If We didn't want to 80 over to Eag,e
Cave.
Beautiful picnic grounds. fine hotel.
directly to Eagle Cave, sir, enly twenty FIVE
cents"
"No, I thank you" said l; Eve are
goin: on quiet picnic"
And tried to hurry by him, for was
thinking about the fares. If our party
made up their minds to 90 to Eagle Cave.
that part of the multiplication table which
referred to thirteen times twenty five
would be particularly rough on me And
so Mrs. Tafhny. who was right behind me.
made me feel very bad bv saving:
90 yes, let's go to Eagle Cave and eat
our dinner on the piazza of the hotel
Won't it be lovelyY r.
j said tha, as for myself should prefer
to follow our original plan il was more
rustic. aud We could be more bv ourselves.
to say nothing of its being healthier.
"lf there are those among you" ron
tinued. "who prefer to carry cut our first
intentions. You will please raise your
hands. Ac, your own pleasure, ladies' by
all means" Aud | tried to produce
bland smile
Only four of the ladies' responded. in
cluding Mrs. Roe.. who raised both hands
think the man with the whip saw
how it was with me. for he grinned mali.
ciously and said was in for it and no
mistake.
So We embarked in the red wagon nown
as the = Badger Qneen." and / had to
shell out again and | thought as the
driver took the money, he gave fieod.h
chuckle. for the going over involved Tie
coming back at twenty FIVE cents a head
Some of the ladies' wanted to paw their
fare, but | wouldn't lie, 'em considered
the proposal an outrage upon my man
hood. The others. not being 81 vulgar.
were deeply engaged ia contemplating the
beautiful scenery. and therefore didn't
think of it. Ny wife was a good deal
worked mp about II, and took occasion to
remind me during the ride tha. couldn',
spare the money to buy her q new parasol.
but had plenty Of money to fool away
on other mems wives.
The piazza Of the hotel certainly look ed
inviting. and made sp my mind to enjoy
myself. and make the best Of it. So when
dinner time came. I helped unload the