Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-07-14

Soou ulnuer. lie Altar, hung n
it was on the Clinch's shaggy sides, in
our opinion, needed no other protec-
ton against the sun than the noun
tain foliage that hung so profusely
over it. Little or no protection was
provided against the pelting storms
that find their home in such solitudes.
Il had not expected to see many out buI
it seemed that every dwelling, hut
and kennel was emptied of its inmates
Every tree appeared to be endowed
with the powers of locomotion. On
every side forms were seen moving
picnlcward. Young and old, men and
women, babies and dogs, all turned out
TO do honor To the occasion. and ]
tnink some more Jealous than Others
for the success of the picnic, went into
adjoinining neighborhOods and bOr-
rowed all the children they could get
These were to sound the tenor note,
presume, in emergencies.
L was busying my brain to find out
who a tall, gaunt-looking individual
was. that stood just before me. His
eyes glistened with unwonted lustre,
huge begun hat, Of uncommon
height, rested Oh his head which
AADAAA 40 tA1hoI AAelNC DCCn IEIc AlCll-
loom of the family for generations. -
Two or three old boxes and something
that mimicked soda fountain, were
piled around him. How he ever sue
ceeded in getting up there is mystery
TO me. At his side was q bucket oi
water, into which he would thrust his
long, bony arm, and whirl it around,
like he was stirring mortar. My Curl
osIty was ontip toe, and had to be graf
flied SO | sauntered in his direction
to interview him; but before / reach
ed him he had addressed the audience,
and III a squealing voice, pronounced
the following speech: Ladies' aid
gentlemen, l have come all the way
from an adjoining county to be with
you, but not by invitation, but to be
OF benefit to you. | have some of the
best saltwater here. that ever went
down the throat of anybody, and be-
sides it is a good thing for body's
stomach. / have. also, some candy,
cigars and lemonade. " This speech
opened the exercises of the day. The
vioIinists filed into their places as
grave senators are wont to do; the
badge of distinction they adopted was
huge straw hats, or rather, straw stacks
and unusual wads of tobacco. A live
ly tune was struck up, the name OF
which do not know, for the tune is
subject to indefinite variations III
name, reminding one of the song ol
Old Obadiah, with 1G0 verses and about
as many choruses, the words being eX-
actly the same in every verse. The
young and fair were whirling in the
may dance. While the second sci
was progressing, clouds crept imper-
ceptably over our heads, and turned
! bottom upwards. The crowd was
scampering here and there, trying tC
get under q shelter. The acccmmoda.
tons were not sufficient for more than
twenty or thirty. Some appeared per.
fectly satisfied if they could only get
their heads under, while our soda-ven-
der schrugged up his shoulders and
stood it like Trojan. | was fOrtu-
nate enough to have a shawl and UNI
breIla along. These kept young DR..
Boyer, Withers and my self perfectly
dry. A few young men determined to
have their picnic, danced on regard
less of the rain, which continued to
fall until about u O'Clock. Dinner
was then spread, and all Invited 10 par
take. | was badly in need of some
thing to refresh the inner man. but
preferred to be served after the ladies
had finished. While waiting for the
second table, good Samaritan slap
ped me on the shoulder and said. "eee
here mister, by cd, if you want any
thing to eat. you had better let in. -
Convinced of this fact, in we let. To
DR.. Withers / was indebted for ny
dinner, who circulated from one end
to the other, grabbing up the most pal
atable food and conveying it to us. A
large white Gorg, who, no doubt, has
been accustomed to make raids on the
diniDg-room at home, concluded to do
so away from, so with a light spring
his carcas was lifted on the picnic ia
bic; but not approaching bis treat
ment his tail was tucked and
off he skUlked. 10 think on
mans inkumanity to dorgs. Dinner
over the Altar floor, was swept and the
dance renewed. About this time beau
tiful Misses Oyler and Jones, from
KinderhOok, arrived. They took their
places on the floor, but did not dance
long, for the storm seemed bent on
dispensing that crowd and it did dis
perse it, Being overly persuaded by a
young fellow, whose name is partly
royal, the party went to Mr.---
where it was understood the picnic
was to lie renewed. We saw nothing
more of our seducGr that evening |
think it was the unanimous opinion Of
the entire party that there was no roy
atty about that nOndescript, except in
the name. felt like j could see him
dance awhile 10 a limb. Quite num-
Der of men; young and old, steamed up
at this place, for it was an ordinary.
From the rapidity with which the
keeper dealt out death to his fellow
man, / think extraordinary Keeper
the more appropriate word One man
said lie never would go to anothe pic
nc with linen coat on, if God
would forgive him for this time. The
man at his side replied, that it was i'm
possible, as God was unacquainted
with such an Individual A large del
egatIon from Bristol was present. Mes
srs. Crumley, Boyer, Oyler and others
from Kinderhook in fact most every
locality in the county was represented.
expected to see some pretty ladies
present. l was not disappointed-
Misses Ferguson, Price, Withers,
Rock, Jones and Oyler were there.
Yours Respectfully,