, 1876-08-06

The Knights of st. Patrick Or on Picnic
Tho Sports Ut tho Day.
The queer little depot on Carroll and Clinton
streets was unusually excited yesterday morn
ing About 9 O'Clock groops OF people in holi-
day attire, and bearing huge lunch-baskcts, be-
gan to gather there from all directions. It was
not formal nssemblage. The young men,
many Of whose faces were tanned aud hands
roughened with toll, chatted with their girls un-
trammelcd by the rigid usages Of society; and
us to the young women themselves, they were
as merry and talkativc as could be expected Of
any Irish lassies who have days outing in
prospect. There were also older people, some
Of the men looking rather constrained in their
starched shirts, and black coats, whose elbows
showed just the least tendency to glossiness,
and the wrinkles in which BETRAYED that the
garment had not been worn recently.
Small boys aboundcd, OF course some ragred
aud dirty, but most Of them fitted up in clean
jackets BY the careful maternal hand; while OF
babies there was no end. Some looked over the
their heavy loads; other, reclining comfortably
in their mothers arms, sucked their thumbs
with praiseworthy aI1lubility, and gave all the
tokens Of inward satisfaction.
THE MEANING OF THIS GATHERING
was that there was about to come off the picnic
Of the Knights Of St. Patrick at Sharpshootcr's
Park, and, after the crowd at the depot had at
tanned respectable proportions, along came the
noble knights themselves, marching down the
street In grand style, headed by q resp1endent
marshal and a brass band giving forth one of
those stirring strains SO dear to the heart
Of Erin. All! what happiness it
is for men to dress themselves in gold-lace and
feathers, and play that they are Dukes and war
riors! And surely, one cannot have the heart
to ttiscountenance IN amusement 80 simple and
withal SO innocent. The appearance OF the
Knights on the scene created bustle and
caused thrill OF excitement to run through the
entire company, many OF whom had BY this
time taken their seats in the excursion cars
drawn up in front of the depot Handkerchiefs
were waved out OF the car-windows; barefooted
urchins ran ahead Of the procession, swinging
their caps and shouting with all the strength Of
their lusty lungs; and even the morose
work and gazed around: Then, after
marching up to the cars and breaking ranks,
it was touching to see how suddenly the knights
threw off their proud dcmeanor, as If it were
their arHor, and greeted their acquaintances
whom they recognized here and there in the
throng, and even eondesccnded to cross the
road to an adjacent saloon and get beer.
By and by the engine shricked, the bell rang,
and the train moved. There we're half dozen
cars, all filed. Bumpitititity, bumpititity,
grew general, and only here and there could any
sentences be distinguished. Where's Kclly!''
"Oh, there he 1s''0 81 Niver mind the babby!"
'' LUX out fer ycz, Johnny, yc'n lose yer hat,
byer' Bumpitititity, bumpitititity, bumpty,
bumpity, bumpititiiity! III one Of the seats
and brown eyes pcepng coqucttishly out from
under broad, white illusion hat. Beside her
sat her admrer, wh3 had captured her for the
day and felt hapry accordingly. Soon after
starting, who should come in but one OF the
Knights, who, as could be seen at glance, was
n hated rival. The Knight had all the advan-
tagc of his fine uniform, and the tickle fair one
evidently regarded him with favor: They con-
vcrscd together fanfliarly, while the young fe1-
low in the scat, who wore plain clothes, strug-
gled vain1y to conceal his disgust at the turn
affairs had taken.
OFF WITH HIN.
The conductor cane around for the tickets.
Two unkempt urchias sat in seat, and could
produce but one ticket between them. Tue
conductor sternly said that one Of them must
get of.
tsI didn't meanttr,' snvelcd the unfortu-
nate gamin. " Man s,id we could both 60 on it,"
No use! The inexGable conductor led him to
the door and dropped him at the first stopping,
softly to himself during the remainder OF the
ride.
Bumpitttity, bu1nrititity, bumpity, bumpity,
bump! The train stopped The young man
dn who had been s1 na sead sn M b MS iaF Ton f%%
waiting for the girl. The hated rival, however,
was At hand, and promptly shouldered the
lunch-basket. The people straggled oil into It the
park, in twos, thrcei, and family gToups. the
lowed in order. Arriving under the trees, all
dispersed in different parts Of the spacious
grounds, where the women we're soon buslly en-
gaged in opening BASKETS and fetching OUT OF
their depths cnorMous sandwiches ana pes
which were deposited upon the tables scattered
here and there. Then, what lots Of fun! Life
in the open air is always pleasant in summer,
time, and can be very favorablY compared
who spend their days in great city
especially If they are OF the hard-working class
can appreciate so highly the blessings OF fresh
air and green foliage After dinner the older
later generation, many Of whom responded to
the lively tunes OF tie band, and showed grace
full heels. Dancing continued at intervals
throughout the afternoon.
TIE PAIN.
:rht c1o,.is had knan c.IlrFTiDE OTf{ The SKY.