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


REAcHED-FINNY MONSTER CAUGHT-DINNER-
PRoMENADE-TRIPP1NG THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
ToE-BoAT RIDING-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. A
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
flowers covered the hills and valleys in every d.
rection; the groves and forests were rich with
foliage, buds and flowers, casting most fragrant
and delightful perfume, as their tall branches
swayed gracefully, to and fro in obedience to the
force ofthe morning. breeze; all nature looked
lovely in fact, there was nothing lacking to rem
der their happiness complete.
The gentlemen had provided abundan ce of fish
hooks, lines, angle worms, minnows and liver
while the ladies' with their accustomed fore sight
had secured their market baskets full of gu bstan
tials, such as bread, meat, chicken, pies, cakes
pickles, canned fruits jelIies, sardines, &C., al
necessary for the qualification of the inner man
being determined, We presume, that the old say
IcBdIuluS luck, &C., euOulu uO
be applied to them.
Arriving at the river after an hours drive, Q
beautiful grassy plat beneath a grand old shady
oak, was selected for headquarters. For q few
minutes everything was excitement, moi sc and
hustle, desire among the curious to explore the
region roundabout, and race between others to
catch the fret inny monster. At length order
and quiet relgned, and the party coon separated
To- 49,
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-tt
catch fish. One lady succeeded. During hel
absence the gentleman attending her caught Q
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 of it; had seen the cork
"go under" two or three times. With this assur
ance she seized hold ofthe rod, raised it careful.
ly up until the silvery sides of poor fnny were
visible, when sudden, sharp, piercing scream, 9
wild retreat, giving the rod a furious jerk, snap
ping ii in twain as che whirled, and at about
twenty yards from the water, came to q halt.
turned and in trembling, nervous and excited
voice inquired, Where is it ?" to the infinite de
iShI anu VI tuOSS pIeecnts "hHS the
gentleman who had cleverly planned the joke
was just then ''too numerous to mention" Din
ner time came, and with it about twenty of the
hungriest mortas 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 a eau
ton. One thing quite noticeable among the
ladies, was peculiar ''hankerng' after pickles
The reasOn for this We are not prepared to say
Cakes and pies received an early consideration
as did the canned fruit, jellies sardines, etc.
Dinner being over, q quiet little promenade
was INDUCED in by all. After this, partners fo
a Quadrille," was sung out by familiar voice
and the devotees of Terpsichore to the supert
music of Msore's Band, whiled away the after
noon very pleasantly. Boat-riding another
very interesting and enjoyable amusement, en-
gageo in by the more daring. Thus engaged
the hours flew rapidly by, and before any one wal
hardly prepared for it, O'Clock was announced
and that it was time to be on the move towards
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 only
more sad and difficult. But for the blissful hope
and anticipations of a brilliant future before us
filed with blessings, comic rts, pleasures aud al
the enjoymehts OF this life say, but for a real
ization of some of these heavenly gifts, We coulC
not have found it in our hearts to turn our back
upon that enchanted spot.
"Allaboard - was sounded loud and clear from
the drivers seat. Immediately all was commo
ton and lively scramble took place for pre-
ferred seats in the Bus. The last person had
hardly got inside, when the door was closed
sharp crack Of the long whip, and a sudden for
ward movement of the vehicle, throwing MS rather
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 the
public square, disturbing the peace and quiet o
the natives. Such conduct may do to create
little sensation, but it looked rather green.
Aside from this however, the 18th day of May, 1872
will be one ong to be remembered by those who
participated in the excursion on that occasion.
ONE WHO WAS THERE.