The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-16
Clear Spring Picnic the Crowd
!. Music Dancing Dinner-Grange
Meeting-Neighborhood, &c.
Editor Press and Banner:

in the various parts ol inc county,
allow me TO contribute a few things
about the Clear Spring Picnic.
AS VIC were in the ncighborhood,
and were informed that there would
be a picnic at Clear Spring on the 9TH,
We repaired to the place at an early
hour, thinking that "a little fun now
and then is relished by the wisest
men" When we arrived goodly
nu nber had already assembled, and
VIC took our stand TO watch the 9TH
ers as they came; nor did we look In
vain; for Clear Spring has too wide
spread a reputation to attempt to
have any kind of entertainment with
out. having . large crowd. Soon they
came pouring in from all directions
here they come down the roads,
through the woods, across the fields,
some walking, some riding, somo in
pairs and some in groups. The little
children came running and laughing,
and were soon scattered all over the
place; the young ladies and gentle
men were bowling and smiling, and
separated in pairs as though the old
Academy had been Noah's Ark; the
I'D people came too, attracting a
great deal less attention, but bringing
their dinner, and employed them
selves fixing the table. All classes
knew what they had to do, and did it
we'll and although some had less
prominent positions than others, yet
all "acted we'll their parts"
Very soon we noticed three or four
with violins, and after "tuning up
they in concert commenced to play
some very sweet music under the
guidance Of Mr.. Steele McClane
Those who danced began to seek
partners to "comc trip it as we 60, on
the light fantastic toc," aud scon
were whirling in the mazy dance
proclaiming by their actions, "On
with the dance, etjoy be uncon6ned.'
Merrier and mcrricr the music grew
and swifter and swifter the dancers
flew. As we looked on, we could not
help applying a passage of Shakes
peare, "Man, proud man, like an an
CRY ape, plays such fantastic tricks
before high heaven as to make the
angels weep" But we forbear, lest
some may think we are either toe
old or too ugly to dance, and so VIC
will add that the dancers seemed
worry easy and graceful on the floor
and all went as merry as a marriage
bell.
| In the midst of tho dancing dinner
was announced, but they seemed
loath to quit even for dinner; after
promenading around the room, OF
the couples started for the dining
room, and we selected young lady
and followed, but at the door We
were cruelty separated from our fail
|partner. whom they allowed to pass
lin, whilst ourselves wero forced tt
take our stand among tho band O.
astonished urchins who had shared
a similar fate. After "casting one
longing, lingering look behind" al
the girls and Msn at the table, we quiet
lily submitted to fate, knowing thai
the door-keepers (not we) were "mas
ters of; the situation" Messrs. L. A
McCaslan and W. II. Horton wcrt
door-keepers, and Mcssrs. J. S. Viii
son, P. II. McCaslan, John Wilson
Willis Mars and George Morrah ,oait
ell on the table, whilst We with the
others wa;ted outside. Like Mary's
lamb we ''lingered near, and waited
patiently, till Mary did appear" AT:
ter the ladies were satisfied and left
the room, we were permitted to enter
and to partake of the most bountiful
dinner that has graced any picnic Of
the season. Besides meats of all
kinds, there were custards, tarts, jel.
lies, and iced cakes in abundance
Most of your readers have been to
Clear Spring on such occasions, and
know how the ladies in the neighbor.
hood can prepare nice things, and we
can only say tho dinner equaled any
occasion in the past-was inferior to
none that has been given in the Coun-
ty-in short was q grand success. and
another evidence that Clear Spring
never fails.
During dinner we were much
amused to see q young man who had
taken refuge under the stairs with
dinner enough Tor several and cake
enough for a family; and all who
passed by wished to bring him some
thing more; but teasing him had no