The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-05-08
A HAPPY MAY DAY.
The Picnic of Miss Young's School in
West Wateree.-The Sd Of May
Long to be Remembered.

The Picnic of Miss Young's School in
West Wateree.-The Sd Of May
Long to be Remembered.
Bright and sparkling was the beauti-
ful morning that dawned upon US on the
Sd of May. No cloud dimmed the sun
when it first threw its rays from the
cast, and nature. too, seemed to add It's
sweetest touch to the occasion that we
were about to celebrate. For weeks
past eager hearts were tbrobbing for
this day. Anticipation was on tip toe.
Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure was all
ahead, and gratefully did we hail the
lovely outlook, when almost at the break
of day W" st| tch'd our eyes from our
chamber to see if c,onds or srnshn"
were to be ours. or if the least thing
was to mar what we kH"w would b"
spI nd I'D time. The heavens smiled
npnn us. All was propitious, and s"nn
amid the r"mpiug, laughing and mcrri>
ment of children the baskets were call
ed into US" and packed with as superb
lunchron. as ever good mothers could
put up. This necessary part of the
pr"gr .mme being p rormrd. soon our
vehlcI's were rolling to til" -pot wher"
twelvr months ago "in joyous greeting
we had met" and thc rrc"ll-ctIons nj
that past happy OCCASION only intens'-
fed an 1 made brighter he hnpes Of the
Jay. 1t was not long hefir" VI" retch>
ed the coveted place, and from all Sijea
were t. BE- seen carriages, buggi"s, wag
ons &C., all coming mp loaded with their
precious freight. Mothrs happy be-
! cause their little ones were happy
! Fathers rejoicing because wivrs and
children rejoiced, and all bsnt, at'least,
for one day to drive dull care away, and
bury for time. the caukering vexations
Of every day life. No grea. tim" elaps-
ed before the crowd had gathered, and
it was indeed refreshing sight to wit
ness the ease, comfort and contentment
that beamed in every countenance.-
Hard times were not discussed. Prcsi-
dent Hays veto was not mentioned
The opening Of the Treasurer's books
for taxes was apparently forgotten and
nothing of a troublous nature was even
talked of, except an occasional fling at
the Expectations of the cut worms in
destroying our gardens. The old fiddle
was on hand, and the familiar tune of IL
don't care how you share 'em, so you
share 'em even" was soon to be heard
with the quick and light step of the
merry dancers, keeping time thereto
Truly
"All nature laughed, and the groves we've
fresh and fair,
The suns mild lustre warmed the vital air, v
and in this delightful frame of mind we
Joined nature and began the day.
Being fully in accord with all of tbe
harmony that was around; we began in
real earnest to enjoy the day The
school house which, by the by, had been
beautifully and artistically dressed with
both native and wild flowers by the
hands Of the children themselves, was
now alive with their numerous songs
plays &C., and it was pleasant sight te
witness their enjoyment an" to heal
their merry voices One Of the pleas
ATTEST FEATURES IF the day was an address
delivered by Judge h-itn"r. At thu
earnest solicitation Of the children anG
some friends, the Judge had kindly
consented to be present AM interest t'l'
children. Promptly at ! "'cIock b.
was on hand much to 'he pleasure an
delight Of all, AMI soon under the sh h,des
of the tall pines with thA pupils OF tie
school directly in front Of him aud with
many other children too, to say nothing
Of the large crowd of ladies' and ghnl-,
mon present, the Judge began his ad,
dress. We are not at all ioclinrd tc
fatter, We squarely say (a masonic tern
it is true) but it was one of the most
capital. elegant and inter sing address
IS that we have ever listened to. Ii
was replete with inter sting illustration:
full Of christian advice. and free from
every semblance of spread-eagle -four,
ish. The children listened attentvely
They enjoyed it; and so plain and
clear was the address that they did not
fail to thoroughly understand it They
were not alone in their delight, for we
are free to say that we, too, listened at,
teptively-neither nodded, wriggled nor
snapped our watches, but were sorry
when the Judge saw fit to stop.
However, there must be an end ia
all good things, and after brief time
the children, young people and all were
back to the school house. The Judge
| bsd received bis Trunks aud rouyratw,