Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-09-04
OUR PICNIC.
BY MARIE FIAAcKE.

decided upon only tho day before, we
may certainly callit an impromptu affa1r.
OF course, we calmly remarked that if
Friday was a stormy day, Saturday
would answer equally as well but not
withstanding our determination, we
were very much provoked when the day
in question gave undeniable evidence of
being cloudy and damp. 1t didn't rain
in o decided manner, thereby settling
affairs at once, but it just drizzled and
dripped, the white mist floating here
and there, now giving us glimpse Of
the sun, and then almost Immediately
putting a check upon our rising hopes
by quietly enveloping the surrounding
landscape in a dense fog. 1t was the
most tantalizing weather imaginable,
and the party assembled in the break
fast room exhibited more than one
slightly disappointed individual.
Breakfast, on that particular morn
ing, was but secondary consideration.
Our thoughts were concentrated on the
subject of clouds, not coffee. Sixteen
anxious eyes closely scanned the heav-
ems in order to detect break in the
masses of gray, dull vapor, while eight
busy tongues specialized upon the pro-
liabilities in tho case of clear VS..
cloudy.
Half dozen times, at lelst, we de-
cided to remain at home but we'd
scarcely reach that conclusion ere some
body would insist upon our going out
to see how clear it looked in the west,
or how bright it was in the north and,
of course, after obeying the summons,
we were as hopelessly adrift as ever.
At last, our princess, losing all pa
tience, declared that she was going down
to the beach to take another look at the
sky. Naturally, we all trooped after
her. Gazing earnestly at the horizon,
north, south, east and west, she adj
dressed the following concise speech to
her eager listeners
"Now, see here I really don't think
it will rain again to-day. If any of you
prefer to remain at home, we'll decide
to postpone the picnic, and say no more
about it !; but if you all wish to go, say
SO, and we'll start"
But there's nothing ready p
"And we must have the biscuits, you
know, because bread is not half so good
for sandwiches"
We must get some clans, too,
and"
What shall we do" quoth our
princess, briefly interrupting the trade
of wishes and wants.
$50, of course" exclaimed an I'M
daunted feminine, "who's afraid of a
little rain %
That ended the discussion. Two
minutes later, deputation had stormed
the lower region in search of supplies
another had collected fishing tackle and
bait. and the rest amused themselves by
wondering why the question had not
been decided an hour before.
Half an hour had barely passed when
We finally announced that everything
was ready. To stow excursionists and
hampers in the boat, was the next step,
and after various trips to the house in
quest of articles already secured, col
Letting an endless variety of wraps and
waterproofs, and performing the usual
amount of unnecessary work in the way
of slight screams and CALCULATIONS, in
dulged in by the dear creatures who
constituted the softer part of the as
semblage, we at last pushed off from
shore.
On such an occasion, each person
feels called upon to remind another that
he or she has certainly neglected to per-
form the duty assigned them. Our
party was no exception to that rule, and
in the midst of the confusion of tongues
borne upon the morning air, you could
distinguish the following sentences
"Are you sure we have everything ?"
did you bring any salt ?"
81 hnoac we've forgotten something|
"Oh will we ever start ?"
"What slow-pokes 1t will be noon
before we leave the shore p
Look over the list and see if you've
crossed off matches p
"There 1 knew you'd forget the wa
ter p
But the calm smile upon the face OF
the lady who carried the list, speedily
reassured the anxious questioners and
much to every body's satisfaction, she
announced that nothing, even the small
est article, had been forgotten.
Our happiness was complete. The
edibles were there, and we were there.
What more could be desired =?
Did some one interrupt my story by
asking the names of our merry crew ?
My dear, that would be telling How
would you like to see yOm- name in
print :? Suffice it to say that there were
eight of us, four of each sex, and as you
see, precisely one piece. One OF
what :? Dear, me Is it possible that
an explanation is necessary !? l think
not.
An hours row broughtus to the spot
where we wished to land but after
placing our baskets on shore, some one
proposed that we should enjoy little
fishing before ascending the bluff.
Some time elapsed ere our gentlemen
succeeded in finding an anchor stone /;
but after protracted search they dis
covered what they wanted, and, putting
it in the boat, they rowed out from shore
and prepared to drop anchor. The rope
was new and troublesome, and theii
fingers little unskillful but at length
they succeeded in arranging knot to
their satisfaction. Carefully hoistine
the stone above the rim of the boat q
don't believe that's nautical phrase)
they gently lowered it, exclaiming as
they did so, "there she goes !"
The result was surprising, for go she
did. That treacherous stone, would
you belive it, actually slipped out of the
moose, and fell, with q resoundine