The Princeton union., 1890-12-25
THE STORY OF A PICNIC.


and the lobster mayonaise which he
had eaten at supper. His familiar
friend, Jack Wclman, who shares his
diggings, remarked that the lobster
was extra sec, cuvee reservee, of a
very good brand, and would not have
hurt a baby unless consumed in ex-
cess. "Talking of which, he added,
''shall you run to tizz at your picnic?
"Picnic!' said Mr.. Mathew in a care
less tone; "what picnic? I remember
something about a bean-feast to which
some one l know has asked me to go
next Saturday. l fancy l accepted;
but my headache made me forget
Where is it?"
Jack Welman, who always presides
at breakfast poured him out u third
cup Of tea, and shook his head.
''My dear fellow, we're you rs bad
as that? Really don't you know that
you are giving picnic, and have
twenty people, at least-seven girls to
my knowledge coming to Maidenhead
on Saturday next and have got to pro-
vide boats and lunch?'
Jack" said Mr. Mathew Gin con-
fidential, if rather nervous tone,) II
believe you are right; it's coming
back to NE nown and he laughed uu-
comfortably. Pm not quite sure it
will suit me. All the same"
''Can't you get out Of ito'
II really must if l can; am deuced
short. 1t will be matter of ten
pounds, at least-ready money, too,
for most of it,
Cheap at that"
What am l to do? Tell me a good
excuse. You've not got headache. y
'Write and say you can't find a
chaperon. You have only asked girls
and a lot of young fellows; you must
have some one to give an air of re-
spectability, though you did issue your
invitations in rather an informal way.
How many boatfuls will there oe? You
might say you must have dowager
in each.n
Mr.. Welman went to the writing
SeiNiO iLu NlOIC llCUiC pl1O VI AOUCS,
drank a lemon squash, and departed
to Lincolns inn for the day, where
doubtless he rendered valuable assist
ance to the conveyancer with whom
he was reading. Postal delivery in
London is sometimes fairly rapid, and
next morning Mr. Welman pointed
with an air Of friendly concern to a
little pile of envelopes. directed in
ladies' handwriting, which lay beside
his friends plate.
Tender regrets" said Frank Ma
hew. airily.
Offers OF chaperonage, you bet,"
replied Welman, and Frank Mathew
read the first one aloud, with a length
ening face, which would not have
Hattered the writer:
DEAR Mr.. MAHEw: It will be all right
about the picnic, as I can easily find a
chaperon. Hoping it will be fine, yours
very sincerely, BLANCHE SMITH"
1T may not be fne." he muttered.
'What do they say from America9 ?
Wait a bit, though"
my DEAR MIR. MAHEw: We are much
looking forward to your picnic on Satur-
day, and shall come, whatever the wealth
er, though we had better all have mackin-
tosheS. My cousin, Mrs. Thomson, will dc
propriety. So that is all right Are there
many coming! I thought you only wanted
me. Yours very sincerely,
ROSE De JONES'"
"Confound Mrs. Thomson! Here
another Of them"
MY DEAR MIR. MAHEw: ('Wonder why
she underlined the DEAR What can have
sald!D You have forgotten you asked
mamma to chaperon US at your picnic, and
she has ordered new shady hat or
purpose. Yours in haste,
MAY ROBINSON"
"'Old Lady Robinson in new
shady hat; my prophetic soul! Look
mere, Jack, don't grin-it's no joke
I've overdrawn already, and the
quarters only half through"
''There's another" said Welman
grimly, Gin pink envelope"
'One of the Currey girls," sale
Mahew, with his teeth set. II fame,
asked both"
DEAR FRANK Crank forsooth): Dom
forget you promised Ethel you would hav,
plenty of boats, and let Capt. Maudsle,
scull her. think I'll come in punt, witt
you, as you want me to do so much Ge
one of your young married friends tt
chaperon the party, and give her some on
to entertain her in separate boat. Your
IN 1fantlc haste, DORA CURREY."
Mice style of girls that, said Mr.
W,ham. "You seem to have mad
the running all round. Lady Robin
son will be particularly glad t
chaperon the Curreys! l. heard he
saying to Mrs. De Jones she wondere
how Lady Braginton could invite sue
girls to her ball"
"My dear jack" said Mr. Mathew
with d still longer face, II don't at a
want to offend Lady Robinson, and
don't want to 60 in a punt with Mis-
Currey. What am to do?"
Cant say. Drown yourself, {
have some lobster before starting-t