The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-08-31
Jenkins Gees TO a Picnic.

Maria Ann recently determined to go TO
a pic>nic.
Maria Ann is my fe-unfortunately.
She had plannnd it to 60 it alone, SO far
as L was concerned, on that pic~nic ex-
cursion but when / heard about it. |
determined to assist. She pretended she
was very glad, don't believe she was.
1T will do you good to get away from
your work day, poor fellow, she said !;
'and we shall SO much enjoy cool morn~
ing ride on the cars, and dinner in the
woods
On the morning of that day, Maria
Ann got up at 5 o'clock. About three
minutes later she disturbed my slumbers,
and told me to come to breakfast. told
her | wasn't hungry, but it didn't make
bit of difference, | had to get up. The
sun was up had no idea that the sun
began business so early in the morning,
but there he was.
Now, said Maria Ann, I'VE must fy
around, for The cars start at half past six.
Eat all the breakfast you can, for you
won't get anything more before noon.'
could not eat anything at that time in
the morning, and it was well | could not,
for had all could do. There was ice
10 be pounded to 90 around the pail of
ice-cream, and the sandwiches to be cut,
and | thought | should never get the legs
of the chicken fixed so that | could get
the cover on the big basket. Maria Ann
few around and piled by groceries for me
to pack, giving directions to the girl about
taking care of the house, and putting on
her dress all at once. There is deal of
energy in that woman, perhaps trife too
much.
At twenty minutes past l stood on
the front steps with basket on one arm
and Maria AIMS waterproof on the other,
and a pail in each hand, and bottle of
vinegar in my coat skirt pocket There
was camp chair bung on me somewhere,
too, but l forgot just where.
Now, said Maria Ann, I'VE must run
or we shall not catch the train
Maria Ann, said l. that is reason
able idea. How do you suppose L can
run with all this freight g
You must, you brute. You always
try to tease me. If you do not want a
scene on the streets you will start, too
So l ran.
l had one comfort, at least. Maria
Ann fell down and broke her parasol =
She called me a brute again because
laughed. She drove me all the way to
the depot in brisk trot. and we got on
the cars; but neither Of US could get a
seat, and / could not find place where
could set the things down, so stood there
and held them.
Maria, l said, in winning accents
show is this for a cool morning ride p
Said she. You are brute, Jenkins
Said l, MY love, you have made thai
observation before
l kept my courage up, yet knew there
would be an hour of wrath when we goi
home. BY getting out of the cars the bot.
tie in my pocket got broke, and conse'
quently / had one boot half full of vinegar
all day. That kept me pretty quiet, anG
| Maria Ann ran off with big whiskerec
music teacher, aud lost her fan, and GO
her feet wet, and tore her dress and en-
joyed herself much after the fashion o
pic>nic goers. l thought it never woulC
come dinner time, and Maria called me
| pig because | wanted to open our baske
before the rest of the baskets were opened
AT last dinner time came-the mic,
dinner in the woods you know. Owe
three thousand little red ants had got int
our dinner, and they were worse to picl
out than fish bones. The ice-cream haC
melted and there was no vinegar for tn,
cold meat except what was in my boot
and of course that was of no immediat,
use. The music teacher spilled cup o
hot coffee on Maria's head, and pulled al
the frizzles ont trying to wipe off the cof
fee with his handkerchief Then sat or
a piece OF raspberry pie, and spoiled M
white pants, and concluded didn't wan
anything more l had to stand up agains
tree the rest of the afternoon. The day
afforded considerable variety, compared tt
every day life, but there were SO many
drawbacks that we did not enjoy it 81
much as might have done.