Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1886-07-24
The Picnic.

The 18th Of July, the time appointed
for our auntnl picnic, and Il day looked
forward to by many with great delight
and anticipation, was, TO use II ON
monpIacc expression. q lovely day. for
surely never was sunshine so sol, and
mellow, never was sky so tender, nor
earth 50 hu,hcd. All preparations
having been made the day before, we
were on the road without Il inmates
delay. Hills and valleys, fields and
forest, streams and farm houses, all
floatcl by in the brightness of the SUI
light and under shadows of clouds, IN
der shadows Of clouds, until my eye
was weary with bcholding. and my
mind SUBJECTED with beauty. Far 4.
way in The distance ! could see the
slope Of the hills lifted up to hang the
flaming ,,,ucs of the torcs: in the clear
est light. The russell hucs of the har-
vest fields of hammered corn, toned
down the picture with such n delicate
blending Of light and shade as we see
when the dawn imprrccptibly bright.
ems into day, or twilight dccpcns into
night. We rode swiftly along, pass
ing neglected pasture lands, which
looked like flower gardens, bright with
starry astcrS, golden rods, sumachs and
humble shrubs, whose foliage seemed
m ctllorcsccncc of unconsuming fire.
Away in the distance the forest Of oak
and maple, OF birch and beech and CIV.
ergrcen pine, presented in harmonious
combination all tints that shine in the
rainbow, suhducd and bcauliilcd by
the freshness of the morning air. Now
and then we had Il passing glimpse of
neat cottages, flower yards, spreading
vincs--all that the poets ever said or
sung OF daisies, vlolets, drops
and all modest flowers, was here out
done by the mute poetry of the inhab-
itants of these wild pastures. About
8 o'cl'k we arrived at Marshall spring,
where we were to spend she remain
Ger of the day. Here and there we
could see groups OF III merry crowd
moving TO and fro. Some were young
and beautiful. others were wrinklcd
and bowed with infirmity. But all
were happy. and the music of merry
voices rolled forth with the sweetest
cadence upon the fresh morning air
Half an hour later the crowd had al
gathered and were grouped here and
there in the woods. Some played GRO,
quet, others were interested in a gam
Of cards, and now and then the gentle
breeze waited the whispered words o
love uttered by some happy couple, III
they rcclined in the hacks and bug
gics, under the spreading branches Of
some large shade tree, INDUCING il
the pleasing and exquisite pleasure O
love making. The older folks collect
ed in small groups, and while som'
talked about politics and railroads, tn,
thoughts of others ran down tho din
aislcs of the sweet by-gonc, and wit
M air of contcntmcnt and satisfaction
they related some pleasing incilcn
that happened when they were boy
and girls. became much intcrcste,
in n story of the OF the old citizens
how, when he was q boy, he had oftcl
ridden along that road, dressed in hi
best suit, and going to see his sweet
heart, who lived in the heart OF III
old May field. With much pleasure h
told OF q stroll they took II after
noon, When the sky was sereue au,
cloudlcss, and the vcrduro fresh fror
the workshop Of nature, and how care
fully she gathered a small boquet Q
"swect Williams" and pinned them O
his coat, ami then looking up and sn,I
ling said, "what a beautiful bunch q
} sweet Charles aud Charlic was IN