Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-08-26
LETTRR FROM NEW YORK.
d TIP 10 he csunt,ss, - Picnic Parry.
FonpnAssI. N. y. A,,eust IA Is7s3 s..

y Dear SPIRIT :-If Iswere to see man fish
ing for whale insthe Shenandoah River, the /
conviction would naturally force itself upon
my mind, that the angler is fond of fish,
But to meet a man searching for pure air in
New York City;-why, then j d say, put the
luna.ic into. an asylum, for be hasn't brains
enough to cover a three>cent piece.
Borrowing my neighbor' umbrella, Istarted
for.the Grand Central Depot, and purchased
a ticket for Fordham, N. Y did this: of
course, to take fresh airI =Foraham is about
as large as Frederick ,City,sMd. The princi-
pal buildings of this beautiful town, are Ford
ham College and the new Town Hall. On
the stoopof the latter building, I observed
two or three lazy policemen lying with the
broad soles of their shoes elevated to the sun,
vainlJ 'endeavoring to protect their rum
bloated features from the scorching rays
The Sporches of the lager-beer saloons were
crowded by the drivers and condu ctors of the
various horsetcarslines, which run hence into
"town." Many of our Broadway merchants
have elegant and valuable country seats hero.
l soon became weary looking at houses, street
lamps, police, as well as the other etceterds,
which are employed to'make a town resemble
city;-so bent my steps back to the depot
Shortly after my arrival dt the station, one
OF Commodore Vanderbilt's trains came from
the city, bearing select picnic party.
humorlsts, actors, musicians, poets, etc. No
ladies were with them. Oh !.how I longed
to be recognized by these HeraH, were that
recognition only rap over the head with
gold mounted cane. Ono of that honorable
body, perhaps through commiseration, thus
addressed me: "Say, young follow, can you
tell us of secluded spot where We can have
day of recreation? You see we're all spro-
fessionals : although we amnse the people,
we tind it hard to amuse ourselves" I knew
no more about Fordham and its envrons than
do about ACKNOWLEDGMENT, consented
to &c. as guide.
WHO'S it that does not esard with feelings
of awe-even reverence the musician. who
Gains our harsher nature by the harmonious
strains of fddle-bow and elbow motion; the
poet. who tries to pour into our souls thoughts
of the beautiful and sublime, by means of
badly>moduIated verse; the author, who
touches the human heart by an eloquent APP
peal in behalf Of freckled faced heroine;
but above ALL the play>actor, who portrays
the flush on wrathful fathers face with the
same vividness he shows the manner in Which
a cannibal>mother fondles her offspring p
Well, reverence such individuals: who then
can blame me, if l report their actions for
tho Spirit
We all started for the gate> house of Ford
ham College, followed by hundreds of ragged
children, that gaZed in wonder at bundle.
covered with tinfoil, which one of our party
carried under his arm. This bundlc-about
the size of BARRIERS pole contained
Boiogna-sausage, which had been purchased
in 0clicatcssen store. The boys thought
that it contained collapsed balloon, and that
Prof. Wise would show his wisdom by mak>
ing balloon ascension why they thought
so, can't say, for the celebrated aeronaut
was not in Fordham, at all. The porter at
the gate>house would not admit us within
the college grounds unless the boys were dis
persed. at last, humorist-he who carried
the bundle-mounted an old log, and adj
dressed the young Fordhamites in tie follow
ing words: ''Ioung Americans You have
been deceived with regard to the contents of
this bundle. 1t contains no balloon but
large boa constructor, which We intend to feed
out here in the woods for It's awfully
hungry, hasn't eaten anything during the last
six months. We'er also aware, that one of us
will have to sacrifice his life to the ranacious
appetite of tho serpent A full grown man
sultices for one meal, but forty of YOU boys,
wouldn't makesa mouthful So go home. for
it you follow, not one shall survive to tell the
tale of his companions sad end" This ha>
rangue had the desired effect; and the porter
iLhhcuihteiy aumllteu US.
After travelling two miles, scaling stone
fences and junping over deep ravincs, VIC
found place (owned BY the col!cee,) we'll
adapted for days festive mirth. A grassy
field bounded our view in front and on the
right; on the left, shallow creek flowed
laz'iy on, pouring its waters into Long Island
Sound; while the background of our rem
devious, consisted of moss grown rocks, and
trees clothed in all tho verdure of SPRING
Inc distinguished SGCdns proceeded tuunpack
the large hampers. Each article of deli bore
the insignia of their society, viz AIRS.
PoETIcA, MUs1oA S. Is. J.. G.
1t was now dinner hour the edibles we're
spread on the grass, presenting an array,
which would have tempted the palate of an
anchorite. One was detailed to guard the
banquet table, while the others bathed in the
stream. Some were dilatory in facing the
water, until an artist, whose neither limbs
were jot shorter than telegraph poles forded
the stream, and declared the water shallow
and pleasant" Here an accident occurred
my umbrella was blown into the water. Not
one OF the swimmers ventured to rescue it
from a "waSery grave" On on, it hoated
like mushroom in millracc. cast plead.
ing look at poet, who was swimming near
it-no use! Alas he wasn't like Byron,
who initiated Lcandcr of old, by swimming
the heiespont. Finally, tho tall artist
stretched forth his arm to draw my umbrella
ashore. he can draw pictures art failed
when trying to draw an umbrella from water;
for it fioated from him, like young gosling
from turkey mother.
We returned to our feast Some persons
asked the humorist to pray, which he did, by
picking up piece of fowl, aud preyiug upon
1t with an enviable zest. The man whom the
swimmers had left in charge of the tables had
purchased pail of butter>milk, of which
beverage all drank with an extraordinary
relish. Now the poet, who wouldn't rescue
my umbrella, rose and recited the followinr