San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-05-11

terest in this behalf. We trust during
the present year to more than quadru-
pie the number OF our subscribers IN
this quarter. We were glad to learn
that the old prejudices heretofore sub
sisting in that section of the county
towards San Marcos are steadily fading
out, and we hope soon to see an era OF
perfect good feeling between the two
localities. Certainly this would be
most sensible, inasmuch as they have
a common interest.
TO return to the picnic. A stand
and seats had been prepared. The
different Sunday schools were formed
in procession in the.grove, led by that
of Mountain City with q handsome
banner, the work of Prof. Gomert, the
accomplished principal of the academy
at that place. and marched to the place
appointed. Mr.. Stephenson presided.
An address of welcome by MIR. Hay
| iollowed-very brief but to the point.
| Rev. DR.. johnson then addressed the
assemblage in very forcible and per-
tiuent speech. This gentleman we
were informed was formerly president
of Purdy College, Tennessee, and has
recently come among us seeking a pc.
sition suitable to his qualifications and
autecedeuts. He is at present teach
| ing at Elm Grove. He was followed
by Elder Williamson in one of his
happiest efforts. He preached con
Citation" and touched on many other
pertinent topics i'd his accustomed III
terestiug manner. He ranks first
class as an off.hand speaker.
Next iu order came the GROWING OF
the Queen of May in the person of
Miss Bette Day, a quite young and
pretty maiden, with retinue equally
interesting. The music, addresses,
etc., we're good, and the entire affair Of
o very appropriate character.
We should have stated before that
the procession of Sunday school schol
ars numbered about 200. There were
probably about 500 persons On the
ground.
Diuner came next, and was served
on another part Of tie grounds. a ia
bile about 200 feet long was set and
loaded down with the best the country
affords. 1t demonstrated the enter.
prise and energy of the community,
and especially of the fair ladies who
seemed to have it principally in charge.
Apropos, we were glad to make some
pleasant acquaintance among them on
the ground-Mrs. Roach Ito whom we
are specially indebted for courtesies
extended,) Mrs. Curran Kyle, of our
own vicinity. and Mrs. Col. Buntou,
whom we found quite interesting and
accomplished. OF the young ladies
we can only say that we saw not a
few whose form and face might befit
IA nymph, q naiad or grace"
and we have the testimony Of the ju-
nior Of our company as to their frank
and winning manners.
In short we do not remember ever to
have been present on more interest
ing occasion Of the kind. The people
went into it with zest, vim, care
for the enjoyment of others, as rare as
it was refreshing. 1t reminded us
forcibly of some similar scenes in our
good old native Quaker county of
Wayne, Indiana, and the common
Southern origin and manners of the
people here and there made the re.
semblance the more striking. We
could but wish that some of our
Northern friends who have so fearful
a looking forward to life in Texas
could have been present, to have reali.
aed how far they have been misled by
idle rumors. We can fancy their sur
prise had they been there at finding,
instead of the rude. uncultivated, law
less people their imaginations had
pictured, ladies and gentlemen who in
appearance and manners and in devo-
votion to the great interests oil educa
ton, temperance and good morals and
religion generally wonld compare wit b
the best in any part of the land. Of
some lovely regions of country it may
be said without assuming a poets