The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1885-07-04

DuUA u 80
good humor prevailed |; every face
beamed with pleasure =; and socia-
bility was the order of the day.
Occasionally young men and
young ladies in couples, would wan
der off to secluded hooks and engage
in uuiet discussions, which Judging
from general appearances seemed to,
be highly entertaining. AS they
we're on a voyage, perhaps they
were talking about ships-possibly
about courtships. One old bachelor
on board heaved a sigh at the sight,
and remarked that courtships were
difficult vessels to manage !; that he
had attempted to navigate a craft
of that description once in early life,
but that he got caught in a storm
and had the misfortune Of being
landed up Salt River.
As the day wore on the salt sea
breeze began to whet the appetites
of the party, and a raid was made
on the lunch-baskets ; great numbers
of which, filled with delicacies and
substantial fare, were arrayed IN
long ranks ready to supply the
wants of the hungry. Vast guam
titles of baked chicken, roast turkey,
salads, cakes, ice-cream, sweatmeats,
etc., disappeared under the on.
slaught, together with coffee, lemo
made, and sundry other beverages.
Some of tbs boys had taken the pre-.
caution to bring along small TASKS
filled with an extra supply of lea,o.
made as they called it, which they sam.
pied on the sly occasionally to their
evident satisfaction. They were very
considerate In this respectfully
were apprehensive no doubt that the
big barrel OF lemonade aboard might
not last the round trip. 1t is sur
prising what an celebrating effect a
trip to the sea-shore has on ones ap'
petite. IL was we'll that the commit
tee in charge of the excursion had
provided a bountiful supply of pro
visions and refreshments =; for pri
vate lunch-baskets though heavily
laden, we're emptied by their owners
long before the trip vas ended. Tht
lunch table on the lower deck. wa
a very popular institution, and did
thriving business the whole day.
The head of the Pass at Porpois'
Point was finally reached, where tn
waters of Vernilion Bay seek al
outlet to the Gulf Of Mexico. Her
a great many porpoises were seeh-
huge monsters that rose to the snr
: face of the water at intervals ant
exposed moro than half Of thei
I black Shiny bodies, as they perform
: ed their evolutions In search Of prey
The tide was very low, and in
large cove extending along the wes'
! ern shore of the Pass, could be see
! immense beds Of oyster reefs, thei
rugged surfaces being exposed t
view above the level Of the water.
!. A short run brought the boat t
= the mouth of the Pass. As the ",
= tiers of the Bay had been compar.
lively smooth, the boat was heade
. for the Gulf, and was run out abor
I a mile, with the expectation of NEE
ing with a ground-swell so that tn
q party might experience the novelt
of Rocking in the cradle of tn
deep" but they were disappointe
If in this respect as the Gulf was
p calm as the Bay. The boat then r
turned and landed at the beach nea
n the old Lighthouse ; and the excu
;|sionists trooped ashore to enjoy ii
Re pleasures of the occasion. One
5 the boys struck out for a clump
J. mosquito bushes some distance o.
le where he secluded himself and ca
'r tiously drew from the recesses Of h
pocket his private, flask Of lemonad
t. land having taken a substantial swi