Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-03
, E7GG--T7T4F OF ID IA NfII1Y JOURNAL
WHICH GO
[coNNuNIcATED.l
walnut Grove, Picnic.

Tuesday. the 3Oth ult., was day long to be re-
membered by the pleasure lovers of Jefferson. II
was sigualized by an event which will ever be con
sidered as the most recherche Of Picnics.
The day was oloudless and beautiful. IHendya-
sis.l
Nature and weather
Conspired together Poetry
70 render incompatible the grand scenic effect
produced by the elaborate preparations Of the gen
erous host. [Soft Soap The occasion Of the
event was the attainment to gears Of discreion of
the herein. before mentioned generous host, aug
mented by the presence of divers and sundry YER
daut irony youths, whose maternal progenitors
were evidently non-cognizant of their immediate
locality.
At an early hour the aforesaid G. II. generous
host was on the scene of action, zealously perfect
ing the already complete arrangements. As he
was the first on the ground so was he the last to
leave-in fact it may be truly said, he was the
longest jokel there. BY lOA. NJ. the guests began
to assemble, and 'ereong the outrageous shades
Of tie sylrdn rood, were thronged with the fash
ion, wealth, wit, aud beauty of Jefferson and sur
rounding counties. Among the earliest and most
welcome arrivals was that Of Prot. Jack, Of Har-
pers Ferry, and his accomplished corps Of Musi-
clans, who discoursed at intervals throughout the
dag the sweetest symphonies of Mendelssohn,
Beethoven and Strauss, During the day the
worshippers of Terpsichoro with untiring zeal
triprel the light fantastic "*--while in other
parts of the forest mingliug with the gentle rus
Ting Of leaves and rising above the shouts Of gee
and the merry pcals OF laughter, might be heard
the sharp click of croquet balls. Amidst these
and other charms
Swiftly sped the morn,
Till through the.sylyan glades
Peal'd the dinner horn,
Music TO hungry maids. Copy rightsecuredl
Fain would we describe the bounteous feast, but
language failsus. Suffice it to say,
" Fen now the devastation is begun,
And half the business of destruction done"
" hen ample justice had been done the inviting re-
past,
"These all in sweet confusion sought the shade.
Words fail to paint the intoxicating bliss of
hours that followed. What dreamy joys in seclu-
dcd gcns mid moss grown rocks,
-"Vith seats beneath the shade
For talking age end whispering lovers made
There bright eyes, sof words, langrishing gances,
the snow-white hand in loving pressure clasped,
the heavenly thrill as spirits rushed together at
the touching Of the lips" while siIken tresscs half
concealed the cheek before whose crimson tinge
the roses blrsh might pale.
"What was he pleading, what murmurod she,
I.ogal je serui, durdHt ma re. lSpOOneyI
Turning reluctantly to the sterner realities, how
were the fair sex adorned? Noa, rerron,. French
Miss Z. was arrayed in a zebra-ike dress Of
Noire-Antigue we never saw one more SOY. Miss
c., trausceudeutly beautiful in a black bombazine
dress with buff overskirt, not to mention her gor-
geous hat and black streamers, fascinated all
Miss D., with her usual grace and elegance, ap-
pcarcd TO advantage in a guinea-keet alpaca
Miss :. in a mud-coloured silk with elaborate
oycrskrt Of The same, was the observed Of all OBJ
servers. Miss u. won universal admiration in a
grass coloured mosquito net Miss L., beautifed
and adorned with a piquo dress, trimmed Ia
mode with point applique around the bottom, and
a delicate band of valenciennes encircling her
snowy neck. her hair arranged a lo P0mpadour,
was surrounded by bevy Of admirers. Columns
might D, filled in describing toilets equally taste
tai. but space fails, and we must hasten to the
close. As the frightening shadows Of the stately
old trees told Of deepening twilight, with mutual
cNpr ssious %; regret that the day had closed too
soon. the company dispersed. The fading sunlight
gliding the tree tops with a rosy beauty, rolled
through the heightened vi,tas flood Of mellow
glory into which vanished the forms Of reccding
beauty. Soon the crimson splendor darkened !;
soon The lingering strains of music died amid the
deepening twilight; soon silence brooded DER all
the landscape, and Nature once more rcigued su-
prcue descriptive thatI Y.N. Y. Z.
Tho