The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-20

sudden that young mans back would be
in opposition with the floor, and pair of
No. beetle crushers would describe circles
in the dir, while the building itself would
vibrate with the conclusion. Oh +! it was
great sport, and proclaims the inventor Of
the roller skate one OF the benefactors OF the
young race. The facilities for firtations af-
forded by the helplessness of the stronger
sex wiz: the women when on the uncertain
footing of rotatory sandals, makes the
amusement essentially popular among the
unmarried, and we doubt not that the sea-
son OF roller skating will continue with I'M
| abated success, until it's unlicensed com petit
tor Jack Frost comes in and wins its vota-
ries away to the ancient sliding on the ice.
| PRESBYTERIA Y PICNiC.-Three removes
are equal to fire, it is said, and the picni-
clans can testify that two postponemcnts
would be equa! to a flood. So for fear OF
that calamity, and in the further fear that
the long train of B. & o. cars, standing
ready at the depot, would nave to be paid
ALL dilO iOllC VI GLC lCttOy eACy
took up the line of march with three days
cooked rations. 1t is, by the way, singu-
lar fact in natural history, that the prospect
of picnic has the same effect upon ideas
concerning gastronomic capabilities, as the
fear Of fight has upon the boasting propen-
stiles of the coward. Nor was this richness
of preparation confined to the picnicians
proper, but the neighborhood into which
they were going, was attacked in the same
manner, and, for several days after, the
much abused assurance and sewing machine
agents congratulated the farmers upon the
fine rains for the crops, while they compla-
Gently put themselves outside of another
rusk or disjonted another chicken leg,
which had been intended to do duty at the
picnic. But ''the best laid schemes of mice
and men gang aft agley,'a and the rain be-
gan to fall on the train of six cars, pretty
we'll filled with parents, TEACHERS and small
children, even before they reached Fol- t De-
fiance, which they did about $50 a. m. Mr..
VIM. Moorman, the accommodating depot
agent at the Fort, rendered the forlorn pleas
ure-seekers the use of the reception room
for the storage of baskets, where they were
speedily located. being transported under
line of dripping umbrellas. The key was
turned on them precisely at nine o'clock and
the first application of starving youth for
cake was made at sos. A dropping fire was
kept up upon the basket redoubt until
quarter to ten, when human forbearance
could stand it no longer and general charge
was made al along the line. A good many
baskets were captured and carried into the
cars, but enough were left in the reception
room to enable the Children and their assist
ants very successfully to give the floor of
the same the appearance of a patient recov-
ering from an attack of continent smallpox,
and the agent is seriously debating the pro-
priety of turning the cold water excursion,
to be there next Friday, into securing bril-
gade, believing that water, if properly ap-
piled, is useful for other pr poses than navi-
CATION.
The train that came up at o'clock
brought Superintendent Woodward, with a
view to make arrangements to take back the
water-logged picnicians aG one instead of
five O'Clock, but some of them being then
perfectly satisfied. returned with Mr.. Aver
ill's train at IL o'clock. There was small
party which held out for five O'Clock, but
whether this was with view of drowning
some of the smaller children, or giving the
quietus to picnics in genera =, or an insatiate
fondness for the ''dew upon the blossom"
could not be ascertained.
Just before the departure of M. Averill's
train, some OF the scouts came into camp
and reported a hay house near by where
games of all kinds could be played. With a
wild yell, of the Confederate order, charge
was made upon the hay house and very
successful attempt made for one hour to beat
ont the timothy seed therein contained. The
proprietor has no. yet reported how many
bushels were thrashed, but judging from the
perspiring and grinny faces of those en-
gagged and the time employed, the amount
realized will be entirely satisfactory. About
II m. the sun came out and then they went
into the grove to swing, to dance to the mu-
SAN Va OoohONdi Apduu, W Slluc Ou Uiic SIP.
perry platform. and to roam the wild wood
with limp and clinging calico.
There were several old benches. consisting
OF slabs with legs inserted. These the most
pious OF the boys turned into batterng rams,
and filing them with their sweethearts,
would propel them in the direction of one
or two couples who were on the wet and
slippery floor, attempting to keep time to
the waltzes the band played. The plopel-
lants of the battering rams frequently fell
in the action and we're thereupon spotted as
wounded. We gfieve to say those wounded
were mostly in the rear. At one the train
made its appearance and with some difficult
ty the children, who had really enjoyed
themselves greatly, were gathered under the
metaphorical wings to Which they belonged,
and all returned, arriving about half-past
one, wiser if not sadder than they went.