The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-05-30
FISHING PARTY.

STARTING-BEAUTIEs CT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
REACHED-FINNY MONSTER CAUGHT-DINNER-
PRoMENADE-TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
ToE-BoAT RIDNG-ON THE WAY HoME-IN THE
CITY-RATHER "GREEN.
On Saturday the 18th, occurred one of the grand
est and most pleasant affairs of the season.
party OF young ladies and gentlemen, eighteen in
all, left the city about o'clock that morning for
Braden's Mill, on Skunk river, four miles north
OF town. The day was beautiful, bright and
clear ; pleasant breeze from the west, rendered
the air pure and invigorating merry birds were
warbling their morning carols many varieties of
mowers covered the hills and valleys in every d.
rection; the groves and forests We're rich with
ioIage, buds and flowers, casting most fragrant
anc delightful perfume, as their tall branches
swayed gracefully, to and fro in obedience to the
force ofthe morning breeze all nature looked
io'ely In fact, there was nothing lacking to rem
der their happiness complete.
Inc gentlemen had provided abundan ce of 6sh-
HOOKS lines, angle worms, minnows and liver;
"hie the ladles, with their accustomed fore sight
had secured their market baskets full of substan-
tiais, such as bread, meat, chicken, pies. cakes
pickles, canned fruits, jeIies, sardines. &c. all
necessary for the qualification of the inner mo,
oeihg determined, We presume that the old saw
ing regarding fsherman's luck, &c. sbouId No,
be applied to them NV
arriving at the river after an hour's drive
''""'iiu grassy plat beneath grand old shady
oak, was selected for headquarters, For q faw
minutes everything was excitement. moi se and
hustle, desire among the curious to exnlore the
region roundabout, and race between Others To
catch the first inny monster. At length order
and quiet relgned, and the party coon separated
in CO uplets and sauntered off with hooks and
lines to some shady, grassy nook on the river
bank, close to the waters edge, that they might
bring about realization of their fondest and
most cherished dreams of the past two weeks-to
catch fsh. One lady succeeded During her
absence the entleman attending her caught a
small perch, and fastened it on her hook. When
che returned he called her attention to it; said
! he believed that there was fish on the hook
indeed was quite certain ofit had seen the cork
"go under" two or three times. With this assur-
ance she seized hold ofthe rod, raised IL careful
ly up until the silvery sides of poor fnny were
| visible, when sudden, sharp, piercing scream, a
wild retreat, giving the rod furious jerk, snap
ping it in twain as che whirled, and at about
twenty yards from the water, came to halt.
turned, and in trembling nervous and excited
voice inquired, Where is it ?" to the infinite de-
light and merriment of those present; while the
|
was Just then "too numerous to mention" Din
ner time came, and with it about twenty of the
hungrest mortals that ever lived might have been
seen gathering around table. previously prepsr.
ed by the ladies, OF the most inviting eatables
that ever was our pleasure to sit down to. Fol
awhile chickens and pickles were in great de
mand, and the way they disappeared was q eau
ton. One thing quite noticeable among the
ladies' was a peculiar "hankerng" after pickles
The reason for this We not prepared to say
Cakes and pies received an early consideration
as did the canned fruit, jellies sardines, etc.
Dinner being over, quiet little promenade
was INDUCED in by all. After this, partners TO
a Quadrie," was sung out by a familiar voice
and the devotees of Terpsichore to the super
music of Msore's Band, whiled away the after
noon very pleasantly. Boat-riding was anothe
very interesting and enjoyable amusement, en-
gageo in by the more daring. Thus engaged
the hours flew rapidly by, and before any one wa
hardly prepared for it, 5 O'Clock was announced
and that it was time to be on the move toward
the city. Sorrowfully did we bid adieu to tn
scene of SO much joy, happiness and pleasure
Pleasant memories of the day came crowdin
back to our minds, rendering the parting onl
more sad and difficult. But, for the blissful hope
and anticipatons of a brilliant future before III
filed with blessings, comic rts pleasures aud a
tho enjoyments of this life, we say, but for rea
ization of some of these heavenly gifts, we coul
not have found it in our hearts to turn our back
upon that enchanted spot.
"Al aboard - was sounded loud and clear froI
the drivers seat. Immediately all was CONNIE
ton and a lively scramble took place for pr
ferred seats in the Bus. The last person ha
hardly got inside, when the door was closed
sharp crack Of the long whip, and a sudden fol
ward movement of the vehicle, throwing ms ratha
promiscuOusly into one corner, indicated to us
only too forcibly, that we were on the move. Mu
sic was furnished in abundance.
One thing to be regretted, however, was tn
very silly performance of parading around tn
public square, disturbing the peace and quiet @
the natives. Such conduct may do to create
little sensation, but it looked rather green.
Aside from this however, the 18th day of May, 1877
will be one long to be remembered by those VIII
participated in the excursion on that occasion.
ONE WHO WAS THERE.