National Republican., 1878-08-07
OWE DAY OF HAPPINEss.
The First Ezcursion for the Poor-A Merr
Time on the River.

Inc Ffru kxcursion Tor the fOor-A merry
Time on the River.
The City Of Alexandria steamed out from
her wharf yesterday morning laden with q
precious freight Of human souls, drawn from
overy section Of the city by the announcement
that the Franklin Temperance Legion would
give free excursion 10 Marshall Hall for the
benefit Of that class Of people who, from unto
ward circumstance or from misfortune, cannot
enjoy the simple luxuries attainable by the
wealthy and prosperous. Mothers, with little
children who showed palpablc evidence Of the
exhaustion Of the summers heat, were present
In swarms, and their little pinched faces bright
with the hope Of days unusual enjoyment,
fairly reflected the anticipations Of little souls
warped by the sorrow Of want and suffering.
The stole who has learned to look with In.
difference upon the daily sight Of little up
turned faces pleading for . penny all along
our broad th0roughfa fares, so accustomed to the
piteous pleading and sad little faces, would
have boon sstonished and bewildered to sec
tho magical transformation that upon this
boat had turned the tbrong Of little ones into
. bcvy Of joyous children, whose hearts were
over-brimmsd with happiness.
Stiles band was on board, aud the sweet
strains Of their instruments set the little feet
In motion as they coursed with entire freedom
up and down the decks
Aftor sail Of an hour and half Marshall
Hall was reached. Decentralization quickly
followed, and the lovely grounds Of Messrs.
crowd.
AT MARSHALL HALL
Messrs. Englchardt h Baurcs welcomed
thcir guests with that bonhome Characteristic
Of mine host, which put everybody at ease,
end bidding all welcome, II was pleasant
sight to sec how readily they took advantage
Of all the amuscments with which this popular
place Of resort abounds The little boys, like
ducks, made for the water, and along the
shore the river was deckcd with little heads
| shouting and spouting as they spattered and
ducked each other. The little girls took pos.
session Of the swings, aud, rs they swung in
mid.air aud carroled their sweet little rythms
| the echoes borne to their mammas and friends
reclining in the shade of surrounding trees
spoke volumes to their loving hearts of the
| joy and happiness their little ones were drink
ing In.
While the guests were thus enjoying tn,
| beautiful day that seemed to be made especially
| for the occasion, the committee Of ladies ac'
| companying the excursion were busy prepar,
| ing the tables, which they spread underneath
| the trees, upon which were loads of goodies
generously contributed by the citizens Of oui
city. When the signal was given that dinner
was ready, II would have made a gourmant
roar with delight to sec the little ones devou
the feast. There were sandwiches, ham ant
beef, by the hundred sandwiches to the righ
| of them, sandwiches to the left Of them, ant
| oh how they disappeared then cakes aut
bon bons Of every description; lemonade b,
/ the barrel, and tonic beer; how 1t foamed a
| OF from the ice the corks few like musketr,
along battle line and for wee little ones, a
| they rolled aud kicked In the grass. sweet
i Il 1.xyf flAF tta faas
dancing ut the pavilion, when all hands JOINED
| with reckless abandon.
The shades Of evening fell, and the departur,
for home came all too soon but memory lin
gercth forever, aud upon Its tablets the littl,
ones who par;ook of yesterdays enjoyment
have inscribed its scenes as treasures never t.
be forgotten. Credit Is due TO Mr. Charles II
Davis, chairman Of the executive committee o
the Franklin Temperance Legion Mr.. William
Towers, treasurer; Messrs. Julien, Jones, Keen
and others, who labored untiringly to max
everybody happy. And the ladies-withOu
whom all would have been confusion wOrs
confoundcd-the must take their thanks iron
the well-remembercd happy faces Of childrc
who were made 80 happy by their disintcrestc
efforts.
Under the direction of the Unknown TEN
perance worker, Mrs. Julia ". Church, Mr.,
Louisa Silvey, Mrs. RalstoD, Ms. Davis, Mr.
James Abrshams, Mrs Roberts, Mrs. Spurgeon
Mrs. Dunning, Ms. Dauiels, the Misses Lol
Jones, Neidfcldt, Clemmens, Hopkins, and
host Of others contributed to add zest and sue
cess to the undertaking.
While returning to the city aud recountin
the pleasure and success OF tho day II wa
voted to repeat the excursion In a few days.
The Legion returns thanks to ID. W. Gansi
of the Centre Market for his handsome dona
ton Of meats, &C., and to Mrs. Roberts, Of tn
Capital for car tickets, by which every one n
ccived fare from the boat