The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-06-16
rHE sARRATH SCHOOL PICNIC.

The four cars which had been provided for
the occasion were well filed Saturday morn
ing some time before the hour for the depart
ure Of the train, with happy picnieers, old and
young. The cars stood upon the side track
ready to be hooked on to the regular western
train, and by the time the whistle blew, the
cars were packed to their utmost capacity,
and many had to stand up.
Many Of the adults Of the town took advan-
tage Of the bright warm day and the cheap
fare for q little rest from business. The bright,
eleanly dressed children with their smiling
faces were In keeping with the green pEsiries
and the sunshiny day. The weather could
not have been more lovely. The excursion
coaches were under the charge Of Superln-
tendent Cunningham.
A baggage car had been provided which was
filled with the baskets Of eatables and placed
under the charge Of VIM. 8. Jay, Esq.
At 1O:46 we LEFT the depot, and were soon
travelling up the valley at good rate Of speed.
The road was smooth and the cars were COM
Portable and elegant. The ro6d IL lined on
either side by golden fields ofgrain, neat look
ing white farm houses and green orchards and
forests. The country, as well as the plcnicers
had on its "best Clothes" The farmers were
engaged in their corn fields or in harvesting
the luxuriant wheat. All along the line they
stopped their work TO answer the waving
handkerehiels OF the children, which fluttered
from the car windows, by cheers and the Wav.
ing Of their hats. They had not forgotten the
joyous days Of youth.
There never was o more lovely country than
that between here and Cottonwood Falls
This Il especially true Of the region about
Plymouth and Toledo. Many OF the farms
to be seen from the cars In the above localities
are under high state Of cultivation. The
white and cheerful looking farm houses CLEAN
through the green branches Of thrifty orchards
while the fields Of wheat, corn and oats ar
more extensive and thrifty looking than IN
any region Of country we have seen.
In an hour we were LETT upon the side tracl
| at the Cottonwood Falls station.
The provision baskets were procured from
the car and the crowd proceeded 70 the grove
The only mistake made was that after reach
| ing the stream the excurslOnlsts took tn,
wrong direction. A grove had been selecteC
below the bridge, on Fox creek, instead o
above It. While Superintendent Cunningham
was engaged with other duties, some Of tn
excurslonists, impatient to reach the grove
took the lead in the wrong direction. The.
were responsible for the mistake, and not tn
Superintendent. After getting located, AMI
the MONDAY sun being quite hot, It was no
an easy matter TO get them 70 move.
Along the hill sides, under the oaks. and Il
the more uncomfortable grove along the creek
groups were formed, and the white tAbl
cloths were at once spread. The supply c
provisions was beyond the demand. An iC
cream and lemonade stand was erected, wheF
these Injuries Of the very best quality. wer
dealt out. A swing was erected which wa
kept busy. Having q supply Of books along
as soon as dinner was over Mr.. CUNNINGHAM
gathered his school and made the hills rim
with vocal muse.
The Emporia base ball club was along, an
on prairie close at hand game was playeG
After enjoying themselves for three houl
and half, the line Of march was taken for q
cars. A delightful ride home followed. 4
i've O'Clock the people and baskets were set Q
here and all scattsredrfo their homes.
There was . universal expression OF THANH
to the authorities Of the Atchison, Topeka
Santa Fe Railroad for Furnishing the cara at
, cheap . rate As to enable the children to {
: free and the Adults to make the roundarip 4
81, which Ii 80 cts. less than half fare, andal
TO the Superintendent and other officers Of Il
| thing connected with the trip was eonduete
There was no unpleasant circumstance
, mar the enjoyment.
The excursion resulted in . profit OF S63 {
the benefit OF the library Of the SabbS
School.
We hope to see many such excursions gott
4 up. They cost but little labor or money, Al
: are certainly beneficial to all.