The daily gazette., 1882-08-18
AN EXPENSIVE PICNIC.
A PANTALooNs POCKET FULL
OF WATCHES.
AN EXCURSION PARTY's M1sHAP.
They go In Bathing, Put Their Valuables
in Boat, which Drifts Away, Upsets
ane Causes Much Trouble.

On Tuesday morning party of fOurladies
and four gentlemen left Wilmington bound
for day of pleasure. They started In
small sail boat, and went skimming grace
fully over the surface of the Delaware, with
blithe hearts and merry laughter, until the
opposite shore was reached at Pennsville,
where the party landed.
The sight of several bath houses suggested
dip on the beach, and the suggestion was
at once acted upon. The party had
numerous valuables in their possession, and
to guard against the possible depredations
of the natives it was decided to place all
jewelry, money and watches in the panta-
loon pockets Of one gentleman. When
bathing suits had been dnned contributions
were made and issues pooled, SO to speak.
The spot" contained two gold watches
and chains, one belonging to lady, three
silver watches, a neck chain and locket,
purse of $40, and some other articles OF
value. The whole mass was placed In the
largest pair of trowser pockets to be found,
and the pantaloons were placed safely In the
boat, which was anchored on the beach.
| The tide was about half in and the party
| plunged into the water and had good time,
| wandering down the beach some distance
| below the anchored craft. Finally one of the
ladies gave a scream, "There goes the
| boat p'
ana so IL was gong
When the vessel was anchored the sail
had been left unfurled and in position. The
tide rame up, the breeze increased, the
anchor was fioated, and off went the boat
and pantaloons--tOward Chester.
What was to be dones The strongest
swimmer started bravely after the valuable
cargo, stimulated by the fact that his breeches
were a. stake. The boat made better time
than he did, SO hailing yacht coming down
the stream he gave up the chase. The
party on the yacht laid to and endeavored
to catch the runaway boat just as they
were about to make fast to her a sudden
gust caused the sail to jibe and in second
the empty boat was keel upward. She was
finally righted, when it was found that the
pantaloons and an umbrella had gone tC
the bottom.
And 80 had the watches.
The boat was taken back to the shore
where the bathers had donned their clothes
excepting one poor fellow who wandered
around in damp bathing suit.
Happiness had fed from the faces of all
and shouts of mIrth no longer filled the air
t The day of pleasure wa turned into sea
son of sadness. What TO do they knew not
The man without pantalOons couldn't g
home with a wet bathing suit. Neithe
could he decently make the trip to Whining
ton in his shirt alone, even with coat ant
, vest as trimming. ."-
, One of the ladies hit upon plan, ant
| after long time a gen leman who was full.
dressed returned from Pennsgrove, whithe
he had hastened, carrying pair ofborrowe
r pantaloons. ises
For home they -sts.rdes assd itfudou in tn
s Christiana, imagining the whole thing was
good Joke, but the smiles they wore wer
e very bilious and sickly looking.
Next day a search party was institute
S and the river dragged where the acciden
8 occurred. After several Intellectual hauls
black object was brought to the surface an
thrown into the boat.
1t was the umbrella.
Time and time again were the iron
, thrown to the bottom and brought back
: the surface empty. The hunt was given u
r in disgust and despair, and the wear
. searchers returned home sadly deelarin
. . that s'Some vile Jerseyman must have bee
= = there before U.S.
> . The trip cost about S4O0. Rather an e.
I pensive days jaunt.