The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-01
THE CHlLDREN'S PICNIC.

could be wished for. The weather
was in all respects delightful. We
have no doubt that the little ones
had looked forward to it, as an occa.
sion of much pleasure, as it was de-
signed to be, a children's frolic
throughout.
Your reporter who spent the entire
day with the little folks, would here
call attention to the fact, that much
credit is due the management for the
manner in which the whole affair
was conducted, and specially for the
very entertaining programme which
contributed in no small degree to
amuse the older ones present, no
less than the children for whom it
was designed.
We reached the grounds at $3.50
A. NJ. It had been intended to In
augurate the days sports with an
address, but owing to some unfortu-
nate business engagement which de-
tanned the orator, Mr.. Robt. P. Hun
ter, in Alexandria, the public were
compelled to forego the anticipated
pleasure of hearing him. At IL
o'clock, on motion of Prof. James r.
Waters, an organization was effected
by calling Maj. G. 0. Watts to pre-
side, and in accordance with the pro-
gramme, the selection Of tie May
Queen being the first thing in order,
an election was gone into. 1t had
been decided that she was to be cho-
sen by ballot, by the boys from the
various schools present. On the first
ballot an overwhelming majority Of
all the votes, were cast for Miss Liz
zie Hetherwick. The majority was
80 great indeed, that the Returning
Board which had been appointed for
the occasion, and with a view to their
special fitness and aptness at figures,
were wholly unable to cope with the
difficulties, and after a very brief
session, in which, it is believed, no
clerical errors were committed, the
above mentioned young lady was de
clared the duly elected Queen.
After this election, the free for all
foot a came of, with the following
result :
Master Montfort Cockerille, 1st.
j. Davidson Biossat, I'd.
James Moore, Jr., 3rd.
Xavier Ransdell, 18th.
Jacob Levin, 9Th.
There were nine contestants in this
race, and as they were to crown the
Queen and Maids of Honor, in the
order in which they came out, the
contest was very exciting and spir-
tied. The young ladies who we're
the happy recipients of the honors in
being chosen Maids of Honor, were /:
Miss Bessie Lehman, 1st.
Ella Hetherwick, I'd.
Petite Moore, 3rd.
Leila Walker, 4th.
It was now announced that the
browning of the Queen and Maids OF
Honor would take place at 2 o'clock.
The company now dispersed, to par
take of refreshments and to enjoy
the pleasure of a stroll in the invi-
ting shade, which we have every rea-
son to believe was duly appreciated
by all, except a few. 1t might not
be amiss to remind certain ones of
our young friends that we are half
inclined to think that they were a
little hard to please, or so pretended
as they were heard to harshly criti-
else the selection of a place, and
went out on exploring expeditions,
to, as we suppose, discover a more
desirable location for the next one.
However, we would do no one an in
justice, and trust they will take this
IN a like spirit.
At 2 o'clock after several tunes
from the Alexandria String Band,
the ceremony Of growing the Queen
and Maids Of Honor was performed,
in the stand, with becoming grace
and in appropriate terms.
After this the election of the ugli
est hoy was now participated in by
all the girls present., and was the oc.
casion Of much merriment. Several
candidates were voted for, but as had
been the case in the election of the
Queen, it was a one-sided affair. II
was a walk over for the winner, Mas.
ter L. F. Gossens, and he was award.
ed the prize, a small mirror, which
was formally presented, by Miss
Bessie Lehman, in the brief but ap.
propriate wish, that he might SET
himself as others see him. The win.
ner in the sack race was young Els.
trada of Pineville, who received the
Barlow knife.