National Republican., 1875-07-03
VALENTINES EXCURSION.
Moonlight, Music and Dancin,

Last Wednesday evening about two hundred
devotees Of Terpsichore and moonlight sailing
assembled at the Mount Vernon wharf to take
the steamer Arrow for Marshall Hall. The genial
Capt. Frank Hollingshead, with his roseate coun-
tenanee besming like the polished lid Of tea
kettle, stood at the gangplank and gallantly
handed the ladies on board his craft as they ap-
preached. At O'Clock the whistle sounded for
departure, at which moment an excited individual,
who had escorted some ladies on board the blat,
jumped from the poop deck. He had light plug
hat on his head, and waved q bogus telegraphic
dispatch in his hand. The meaning of thi: sud
den departure was Q mystery to everybody on
board the boat After the Arrow had got we'll
under way the members OF Prof. Esputa's band
the finest selections Of Strauss and Ofenbach.
Dancing was INDUCED in by the majority OF the
excursionists during the trip down. Those who
did not dance spent the time in conversation.
Mr.. Arthur Browning, the hero OF the late base
ball combat between the Hard listers" and the
"Silk Stockings" explained to an sdmlring
In that terrific game. Mr. Jefferson H. Barrett
combined amusement with instruction by taking
Downs % displayed his s sea%anship % I p qualities By
heaving the lead. His daring feats in this line
somewhat startled the ladies, who feared that
Johnny might inadvertently throw himself over
board. Capt. Frank, however, quieted their
fears by tying the other end Of the rope to
Johnny's leg, and the slack OF It to the rail.
The Arrow reached the wharf at Marshall Hall
at O'Clock, when the excursionists repaired to
the pavilion, and dancing was inaugurated with
evening, snd the amusements kept up until
o'clock, when the party again returned TO the
Arrow, which reached the wharf after two hours
pleasant sail up the river. Prof. Valent1nes ex-
cursion was one of the most pleasant and social
Of the season, the least charm about 1t being the
fact of the mutual sc9usintsncesoip that existed
between all the members Of the party. Messrs.
Stokes, Wilson and Smart, who had bought
tickets for the excursion, and sent their ladies on
arrived at the dock fifteen minutes after the de-
parture OF the Arrow. Here was Q dilemma
What would their lady friends think Of them If
is little man of immense resources, was, how
yer, equal to the emergency. He chartered Q
swim dipgey and two oarsmen, in which he and
Marshall. Wilson steadied the entire. board,
Smart boxed the compass, while Stokes
tween here and Alexandria, however, the bow
oarsman snapped his blade in two. As the fellow
had been engaged by the hour, he did not like to
have his job interrupted in this summary manner,
so he said nothing Of this mishap, but continued
70 dip bis oar handle in the water as heretofore.
The peculiarities Of the compass at this juneture
SOUTH then southeast, afterwards south by east;
in few minutes west by south, then due north.
with the compass, then he laid the blame on his
eyes; but fearing to bring personal reflection on
his nautical qualities, he said nothing TO his
friend about the peculiarities Of the needle. As
result Of this, for four mortal hours these three
daring young men went around in q circle this
SIDE Of Alexandria. About o'clock In the morn
when Wilson observed that they were nearing
the pavilion at Marshall Hall. Smart called hfs
attention to the fact that the lights were on the
wrong side of the river. Stokes, who had grown
very tired holding on to the rudder, was strongly
of the opinion that they had struck Norfolk. Be-
fore they could take an observation to determine
their whereabouts they espied the steamer
Arrow on her way home. They hailed her,
were taken on board, together with the boat and
her motive power, when for the first time It was
discovered that one Of the oars was broken of in
the center. and they knew they had been playing
circus on the water