The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-17
cRocERS' EXCURSION.
Fourth Annual Excursion of the
Retail Dealers.

Yesterday the retail grocers took an out
ing, and grand one it was too. They num-
bered 800 in all, and they were conveyed to
and from Lake Sebago by a special train.
The line was formed in Market Square at
7.15 a. M, and, headed by Merriman's Band,
the happy excursionists marched to the
Union depot. which they left at S15 o'clock.
The day could not have been more favorable
for the occasion. nor could the exercises of
the day have been more delightful than they
were. The first thing on the programme
was the grand rope pull between 20 grocers
and 20 butchers. The butchers won after a
hard contest, and each of them was given a
five pound pail of lard for prize by John p.
Squire & Co. The three-legged race was
won by O'Brion and Stevenson; the sack
race by O'Brion; the potato race by G. K.
MCGOWAN; throwing the hammer by Austin
Sullivan putting the shot by o. j. Winslow
second prize by <. A. Chaplin tub race by
j. Il. Eldridge; swimming race by f. w.
Deering; 125 yards dash by O'Brion QUOT
pitching match by Z; A. Whitney; standing
broad jump by +. w. Richardson; running
broad jump by O'Brion; rifle shoot by G. A.
Plummer; throwing base ball by Mr.. Sterl-
ing; game of base ball by the butchers; 100
yards run by o. ]. Winslow, G. N. Lang
second; 100 yards dash by, OBrion; running
race by Master Hardenburg; wheelbarrow
race by Mr.. Carey; 200 yards run by O'Brion.
At o'clock delicious dinner was served
in the pavilion, and at O'Clock Merriman' S
orchestra furnished music for dancing which
was greatly enjoyed. The bowling alleys,
swings and boats were well patroniZed, and
everything that could be furnished for the
pleasure and entertainment of those who
went on the excursion was freely and
beautifully provided. The programme was
a neatly printed affair and every detail Of
the excursion was wisely planned and well
carried out. The following are the names Of
the committee that arranged the programme
G. III. Ross, A. R. Winslow, A. L. Hall, A.
S. Jenness, L. l.. Callan, A. l.. Millett, j. G.
Colesworthy, A. Sullivan, E. N. Bachelor,
G. A. Plummer.
Although it was butchers day so far as
prize winning was concerned still the
grocers enjoyed themselves just as much
and as individuals won their share of the
other prizes The"authori' alive programme
Ing conducted from sanitary standpoint"
and also furnished soft soap on applica-
sublime was an elaborate affair and pre-
sented the programme in an unique style.
The following lines were written especial
ly for the occasion by "W. H." and were
printed on the back of the programme
sublime:
80, what will that poor old Jethro say
Who unwittlnqly goes to town today?
| We see the places there are mighty scarce
| Where farmer can sellhs garden sass.
We see him there on his peregrinations
Hear now and then his blue Calculations,
AS from house TO house he peddles up and down
The silent streets Of that dear old town.
| Alas, poor rustic. and alas for the housewife
AS she moodlly kneads the staff of life,
And needs still more little yeast cake
Only to find that we're at Sebago Lake.
Let the farmer roam, the housewife weep.
And all the feast of unleavened bread keep,
That the public may learn that our avocation
Is an indispensable adjunct to civilization"