Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-08-03
[Ter the HEIALD.l


| mOIuluRs Iuc %0th Vi VuJi
huge, numbering vehicle, drawn by a
spanking team of four, rolling well on
its way to the blue range of North
Mountains that doomed up in the dis
lance.
Inside, our party Of (s,cset sixteen,
rammed and jamMed into one solid
mass, were making racket unequalled
by twice as many emulous 'squejunks.
1t was a tight fit. but each fellow,
wedged in between two girls, with a
xrin from ear 10 ear, aud face as
bright and shining as if creased with
the shckest of "psssum oil, hereicslly
resolved to be crushed 10 death rather
than murmur.
Rafting along over hill and dale,
sweeping past farm houses and bring
ing their occupants out pellmell to
gaze upon US, the furious barking oil
dogs mingling with the screami OF one
sex and the shouts Of the other, the
girls showering their most captivating
smiles upon sollslained lads, and the
boys throwing kisses at sunbrowned
lassies. we sped merrily Onward.
Just before we reached the noun
tain, pause was made to water man
aud beast. Here, one Of our party
went foraging and returned with a
| basket OF fine apples, given him on the
| strength of his good looks.
At the foot OF the mountain, the boys
cot out. and strlngiug out into couples
of two or three, began to foot it over
the mountain. Halt way up, the
ladies did the same. An occasional
whoop and hello. varied with pistol
shot now and then, thrown out by enc
party, caught up and passed on by
another, conveyed the tidings up and
down the mountain, that all was well.
When the foot was reached, all
packed in again, and, little past II
O'Clock, disembarked at Van Buren,
Furnace. After astonishing the ole
WoodstocKer now living there, and
thoroughly doing the furnace which
was in blast. and inspecting what other
sights were new. and novel, We set ouI
to find Bonds spring under the guild
ance of the only one Of our party who
had been there before. Alter lengthy
tramp, Juggling baskets whose weight
rapidly increased, and no spring ap'
pearing, the party first murmured and
then openly rebelled. Then a lady
allowed as how she knew where thai
spring was end started of towards the
Gulf of Mexico in search Of it. Telling
the rest to wait q minute, our guide
dashed Of at full speed, determined to
| fnd that spring and be back in jlfy.
lie soon struck the stream upon which
| it was situated, but whether that spring
was up or down the stream, he could
net for the life of him determine.
Tearing along over brake and brier,
across gulles and fences, FIRST down and
then up the stream, he was suddenly
brought to a iull atop by finding himself
uired in swamp into which he had
unwiltlngly plunged. Extricating him.
self 10 sorry plight, he found the Spring
aud lost--his party. After another
search, and in little while, all were
gathered round the gurgling waters.
Under a shady tree, on the banks o.
the ripping waters. we wrestled lorg
and hard with that feast Of fat things,
add finally, we prevailed,
The evening was spent in varied
round of amusements, while the loud
outburst proclaimed the zest OF the en-
Iioyment. There Was rompins, read
ing aloud, shooting mark, playing
games, and strolling up the mountain
in search Of we'll, we hope they
found 1t. Of the many mad pranks in-
dulged in, the climax was reached
when mustachioed young men waded
and splashed through the stream in
rder 10 win an approving glance from
some fair damsel, and withered old
bachelor rode stick horse at breakneck
speed around a coal pit ring for the
same purpose.
At 5 O'Clock we started home, cross
| ed the mountain as We did in the morn
ing, and took supper IN the beautiful
yard Of Mr.. Gochepour. The remain.
ing four miles were quickly passed
over, snlvencd by one continual out
burst of song. At the Court Hous,
corner, at s 80 z. NJ. we made ou
final halt.
The only approach to mishap wal
the setting on fire OF young lady,
dress, but whether it was done through
the awkardness of the smoker or will
malice aforethought, he did not stop t.
explain.
Our driver was al old stager an
handled his team with an ease ant
grace which showed conclusively that he
was in bis natural element.
| All expressed themselves rs perfect
ly delighted, and odd regulars in sucl
matters declared it was the best pic-nl
they ever attended.
DRY BONES.
. q. b. q.
| q -lm--