The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-09-02
A DAY IN WOODWARD,S GARDENS.
BY "GUS.

A large picnic party, composed princi-
pally of eminently respectable members of
the NJ. E. Church, were decorously disport
ing themselves in the ornamental grounds
of Woodward's Gardens. 1t happened that
two of the company were entire strangers
to almost every one there. Gustavus St.
Alban, leaning discontentedly against
towering Australian gum tree, said, dis
couragingly to Mrs. St. Alban, who was
contentedly watching a group of children
rowing in circular boat on the pond:
"We're strangers in strange land, Min
erva. l see l have no knack for making
myself notorious in San Francisco; unless,
indeed, l follow the example of Brother
ton Brothers, which isn't suitable or con-
venient. We've sojourned in this city
week, during which time have been for
tuuate enough to secure two acquaintance.
Let's break up this monotony by trip to
Yosemite
Gustavus looked as gloomy as dashing
manner, handsome, gypsyish face and
wicked black eyes could possibly make him
look. Mrs. st. Alban, who was distract
ingly pretty and constitutionaly cheerful,
replied with an amiable attempt at consola-
ton:
"Don't be misanthropic, Gus, dear
You'll never be an agreeable husband until
you overcome this unfortunate tendency.
Here comes our new friend Mr.. Merritt.
He's going to introduce us to that charm
ing girl on his arm, know"
MIR. St. Adams handsome, sparkling
face grew positively luminous at the pros
pect. Mr.. Merritt came up to them, a self
possessed, cook looking young gentleman,
on whose arm hung an exceedingly bea uti-
full young girl. He greeted Mr.. and Mrs.
St. Alban with pleasant cordially, and
Immediately presented the young lady.
"My sister Emma, Mrs. St. Alban; Mr.
St. Alban, my sister,"
GLOW providental that she's his sister,"
mentally calculated the admiring St. AL
ban. "By Jove! she's altogether the hand
soonest woman in the gardens.
"Shall we go over the grounds >" asked
Mr.. Merritt, agreeably. Mrs. St. Alban,
l shall be charmed to show you the sea
lions; and there's a wonderful aquarium
Just completed, filled with all sorts of fish
and marine plants. If you have no objec
ton, we'll visit them before we look at the
animals"
To this Mrs. St. Alban smilingly assented,
and took his offered arm, the fascinating
Gustavus having already taken the lovely
Miss Merritt under his wing. Thus paired,
apparently to the satisfaction Of all, the
four proceeded on their tour of inspection
together Mr.. Merritt was probably weary
of the prosaic fraternal duty of looking
after his sister, and so abandoned himself
to the delightful task of entertaining his
sparkling companion. This lady was un
usually intelligent and attractive, and evil
IDENTIFY under no uncomfortable restraint
from fears of her husbands jealousy. AS
for St. Alban, he was SO devoted in his
attentions to his girlish charge, and so neg
lectful of his pretty Minerva, that Emma
began to look iucensed, and said to herself,
Indignantly:
"She's every reason to be jealous of
that man. l wouldn't trust him out Of my
sight minute if he were my husband,
which, thank Heaven, be is not.'
Several hours passed, during which they
had visited the picture galleries, the mar
velous conscrvat cries, the living and stuffed
birds and animals, and finally wandered up
to the tables set in grove on pictur-
csque eminence ornamented with marble
statues here and there, and sat down to a
delightful little lunch by themselves. All
this time St. Adams language to Emma
was extravagantly complimentary for a
married man, and his eyes looked much
more than he sail. He seldom troubled
himself about Mrs. St. Alban, except to
ask carelessly sometimes:
"Can | bring you any thing, Minnie
dear? Ice-cream, lemonade, soda water
command me-"
TO which sh, woul reply, with what
Emma consdere an exasperating mixture
of sweetness and indulgence:
"rm in need of nothing but the society
of my husband, dear. But" with an arch
look in her kindly eyes, "Fm almost COM
penslte for that by seeing you SO thor
ou5hly enj lying yourself"