The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-20
The "A. F. c. Picnic.
HANDSOME PARADE-A DAY AT TIE FAIR
MISUNDERSTANDING, SKATING AND
FBAsTING-BAsE BALL--A BRIEF SEA
SON OF ENJOYMENT.

HANDSOME PARADE-A DAY Al Tile f-AiiS
GHoUNDs-DANCING, SKATING AND
FEAsTING-BASE BALL-A BRIEF SEA
SON OF ENJOYMENT.
For Number of years it has bee" the Gus
tom of the Augusta Fire Company to give an
annual picnic. Generally, it has been gwen
on the 4th of July, but this year so many OF
the boys were absent ut the Centennial at t'at
time, that it was thought advisable to postpone
it to q more suitable season, and accordingly
Tuesday last, the ISth was appointed. About
nine O'Clock in the morning, the company ar
raycd in its new and attractive uniform, which
consists of splendid leather hats made after
the regular fire department pattern, red Han
mel shirts neatly trimmed in black braid and
brass buttons, and black pants ard white
gloves, paraded the principal streets OF the
city. The column numbered about fifty rs
stalwart and fearless looking men as could
we'll be found, and was headed by the Stone
wall Brigade Band, and followed by two OF the
company's reels drawn by spans OF spirited
grey horses. The handsome appearance and
soldiery bearing of the men elected the most
fattering comments, and well did they deserve
them, for better material and more efficient
fire-fighters never handled hose or combatted
the Promethean clement Their usefulness
has. however, been crippled by the miserable
apparatus with which they have had to work,
but now that the iicw water works are in sue
cessful operation, our citizens need have no
apprehension for the safety OF their property.
After marching around the streets the COM
pany repaired to the Fair Grounds, where Il
number of ladies and gentlemen had already
assembled Here ranks broke, and each join
ed in the amusements which had been so
abundantly provided. Everything that could
contribute to She enjoyment OF the day OF rec
reation was near at hand. Prof. Kountz, as
sisted by two other violinists, discoursed tue
'ssweet Sounds and some twenty couples
were on the floor excepting time with restless
feet to the music of the dance" Intervening
the uuadrlles and waltzes, roller skating was
INDUCED in, whilst all day long the hobby
horse whrligig was going at reckless rate
Scattered around the ground and i'll the rotunda
were ice cream, lemonade, soda water and
candy stands. and in groups under the shade
of the trees, could be seen ''twos or threes
gathered together Between three and four
o'clock the basket dinner WAS partaken OF, and
Immediately afterwards a game Of base ball
for the championship Of the county was play
cd between the 's'Tildenitcs' and "Augustas.
AS might have been anticipated the latter were
victorious, the score standing SO to %. 1t will
no doubt distress old Samuel to hear how reck-
lessly Virginians handy about his name, but
the news of this initial disaster may serve to
somewhat prepare him for the more over
whelming catastrophe in November The
TIarrisonburg club was expected to be present,
| to play the ''feturn game and give the "Au-
gustas'' an opportunity Of balancing old scores
but for some reason it did rot arrive.
| There were between two and three hundred
persons Oh the grounds, about onc-half OF
whom were ladies. and each and every one
seemed 20 enjoy the occasion amazingly. In
deed, it could scarcely have been otherwise,
for the committees had spared neither pans
nor expense in making their arrangements,
and in carrying them out, and the only 1auit
we heard expressed during the whole day was
| that the picnic ought to have lasted week III
! steal of twelve hours About eight O'Clock i'll
the evening the pleasure seekers returned to
the city, and for many days to come the men
ton of the Augusta Fire Company and the
18th of July, will summon up many happy
| recollections.