The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-05-23
Picnic at Panola.

Picnic at Panola.
PAxoIA, May 14.-Last Saturday was :
day long to be remembered by the young
old, and courting folks Of this section
Your correspondent accompanied by mos
charming companion set out about III L. u.
in regular old fashioned jog in winding
pine woods road, for Floods mill followed
by two carriages ladened- -one literally pack
ed like sardines-yith the most beautiful
young ladies it has ever been our good for
tune to behold to attend the Pamela High
School picnic.
1t is utterly impossible to give an accurate
description of this mos. enjoyable affair
Thoug gh old Soils face was sometimes hid
den by hornless clouds, there seemed to be
sunshine everywhere. Swamp birds Of
rare and variegated plumage perched here
and there in the abundant and Verdant
foliage forming, as it were, green
wall betwi1t mill-dam and sky
warbled their sweetest notes. The
mill-pond frogs were in full concert also
with their various chants, trying to call up
q gentle spring shower to wet the beautiful
array of spring dresses of the most beauti-
full lot of young ladies who have ever per
ambulated these picturesque picnic
grounds. Now and then you hear
the sudden deep mellow bass
voice of the bull-frog as he goes out FROM
the turbid pool, below and stretch across
for a more private habitatlon to the opposite
banks Of the stream.
The boys though numerically weak, were
equal to the emergency. You could see q
fellow either with his own, or some other
fellows sweet heart, strolling, boat-uding,
dancing, or seated in groups Of twos. Oc-
casionally he would say something-then
she'd smile-then he'd smile, and then both
would laugh. Mr.. Editor, if girls face is
IN index to her soul the boys did their
whole duty. for they were much pleased
we mean the girls. John Washington,
leader of the Pamela string. band, furnished
the music in the mill house. It was rather
warm for dancing, but Johns waltzes were
just too irresistible, so in due time gallant
young men and lovely maidens were
threading the mazes Of the waltz,
(Which to thy more melting tune,
Baw Irish jig, and ancient rigadoon,
Scotch reels avaunt; and country dance,
forego
Your future claims to each fantastic toe.
Next approaches the hour fox dinner.
"Oh! hour of all hours, the most blest
upon earth; blessed hour Of our dinner.
The Panola matrons with Capt. D. w.
Brailsford's s assistance can set up some OF
the most magnificent dinners that 1t has
ever been our good luck to assault. Suffice
it to say, that this was one of their best. A
baked gobbler confronted US on our first
charge, and we commenced and finished
our dinner right there.
Privateer, Packsville, Hodges Corner,
Fulton, Calvary, Friendship, and Summer
ton were well represented. About 6 P. n.
the picnickers packed for homo. We re,
turned via Hickory Hill. Big Branch, and
Pamela. The River road from Floods mill
to Hickory Hill was once the prettest road
in the County. We regretted to see that
the most beautiful section had been COM
pletely denuded of its natural beauty. in
order to give more sunshine to King Cotton.
But at the same time we noted with pleas
ure the wonderful agricultural improve
nents made in this same section in few
years. Crops. though young, looked well.
We have always thought that Clarendon
farmers plant cotton too late. and lose con-
siderable thereby, but loss that's never
known never hurts.
Our homeward journey was, if anything,
more enjoyable than the picnic,-the beau
tiful landscapes, the delightful evening
brsezes, the level hard clay roads, the glow.
ing sunset. There was scarcely any twl-
light here. The day star sinks apparent
ly into the Santee swamp; blood red or
orange colored flag hangs like signal fol
a moment from his western tower! is then
suddenly withdrawn, leaving in place only
dusky streamer. which suddenly disap'
pears within the tents of night. The gray
of twilight thickens magically into dark.
ness But we were unusually fortunate on
this jaunt. We were under the enchanting
influence of Ray that we trust eoM neue7
fade A Ray that did not set with the sun,
but was transformed into a brilliant star,
which continued to illuminate our Friendly
hearts to our journeys end.
The remainder of the evening, with a
half dozen or more picnickers wes most de-
lightfully spent in the charming and hos.
pitable family circle Of our neighbor, Hon.
james E. Tindal.
Misses Sudie Furman Of Sumter Co., and
Amanda Paisley of Fla, and few of the
Pamela and Summerton Gentry, added to the
enjoyment of the evening
We feel specially indebted to Misses Alice
Rea, Gertrude Hauck, and May TinGal TO!
some very sweet instrumental and voca
music, recitations, &c. OCCASIONAL.
# you haze ,sever bad good picture Of your
ss1f tT,t w = ReelclipU.. of Columbia, 15ho !.