Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-17
BABIES ON A BOAT.
Seven Hundred Happy Orphans Enjoy
the Gusky Excursion.
RARE SPORT In BLAIR'S GROVE.
Music, Song and Feast Of Good Things
Make the Trip Success
LITTLE DELEGATES FROM NINE HOMES

seven nunQreQ little orphans Openeu
their peppers with joyful snap yesterday
morning and closed them in happy weari-
ness last evening after day of unalloyed
pleasure, in which treat after treat followed
each other in rapid succession. The oc-
casion was the annual Gusky Excursion,
which has fol. SO many years been great
event in the lives of the tiny inmates OF the
various orphan asylums Of the city. The
custom of giving the excursions was inaug-
urated by the late j. NJ. Gusky and since
his decease is continued through the kind
ness of Mrs. Gusky.
The Mayfower, radiant in the national
colors and echoing with the bright, spirited
music of the full Cathedral Band, was in
waiting for its load of youthfulness at the
Market street wharf, and it was pleasing
and pathetic sight to see the parentless little
ones in their neat, pretty summer attires
march down in charge of their matrons and
attendants and take possession of the gay
steamer provided for them and their enjoy
ment.
CHILDHOOD RE1GNED SUPREME,
the decks and cabins were peopled with
happy little children, whose pleasure was
the paramount object of evey one on board,
including the 800 invited guests who were
in attendance, and it was to their merry
ripping laughter, and joyous exclamations
that the band played a special selection
called the "Gusky Excursion March,"
com posed by the leader, Mr.. Dannhardt,
as the steamer cut its moorings and glided
out into the stream one mass Of streaming
flags and waving handerchies.
Once we'll under way, steaming up the
beautiful Monongahela with the noise and
din of the city left far behind, the childish
voices broke out in melody, and with many
song testified to their appreciation of the
green hills and lovely scenery through
which the boat was passing, and also to the
very excellent training they had received in
vocal music. The band rendered success
sion OF delightful selections, but did not at
tempt TO rival the chorus singing on all
sides.
LuScHrNo IN THE CABIN.
About II o'clock the serving OF lunch In
the lower cabin was announced and the DIFF.
ferent schools In charge OF their respective
matrons commenced the feasting, which was
not discontinued for many moments at a
time until the boat landed its tired little
passengers at 8 o'clock In the evening, and
even then provision was made for to-day by
giving each little orphan liberal supply Of
candy to take home. After the numerous
mouths belonging to all the children
on board had been filled with
every delicacy Of the season and
the decks were again thronged with them
reinforced with great big pieces oil cake,
sandwiches and bananas the older ones were
invited down stairs and served with as
nnI ha mi mi ar
The re 'reshments in the larder at starting
were 1000 sandwiches, tongue, ham and
cheese; 800 spring chickens, 750 sponge
cakes, 600 pies. 100 gallons of milk,
100 gallons of ice cream, 100 water
melons, beside oranges, bananas, nuts,
fruits, general confectionery and & perfect
sea OF lemonade. The refreshments in the
larder on returning were few little chicken
bones, devoid Of meat, slice or two of
bread and some of the wooden plates that
the merry crusaders had neglected to throw
overheard.
IN THE GROVE.
Shortly after II o'clock landing was
made at Blair's grove, and no sooner was
the gang-plank down and the word given
than it was filled with the picnickers anxious
| to tread the velvety grass and romp be-
meath the wide-spreading trees that made
the grove a most enticirg place. And
romp they did, to their hearts con-
tent not in noisy, disagreeable
way, but in such. thoroughly enjoy
able manner that the spirit became conta-
gious and affected children o. a larger growth.
Base balls, foot balls, swinging hammocks
and jumping ropes were in bountiful supply
and active demand. But the sport was
climaxed by Messrs. Wintzel and Linn's
| Punch and Judy show, which created any
| of haip
sually ferocious and funny in the way he
disposed Of all who plotted against his
peace of mind until the mammoth alligator
| appeared and swallowed him bodily, to the
| sorrow of MANY petite witnesses, who would
fain have had him continue his misdoings
| for their benefit.
A couple of hours spent in glorious
abandon in the grove, and the boat with a
warning, maternal whistle called together
its gay load of passengers again, and, when
every last little one was aboard, started on
THE HoMEwARD RIDE, -
which was the most enjoyable part of the
whole programme. A delightful breeze
made the decks enchanting places from
which to view the banks of the river in
their full glory of summer greenness and
GRANDEUR; and the salutes OF the fishing
camps, passing steamers and trains kept the
handkerchiefs,au hats of the gay company
| in perpetual motion.
The brief romp in the grove had given
everyone shockinglv energetic appetites and
a continual appeasing Of them was in vogue.
Pies disappeared in astonishing numbers,
sandwiches, cakes, and chickens ditto, while
JOHNNY Stroup made friends of everyone by
| the manner in which he ladled out lemon
| ade, ice water, or cracked ice, as
| the case might be. The substantials
disposed of, oranges, plums, and peanuts
were distributed with liberal hands and the
little ones kept busy devouring them. and
child without piece of pie, q generous
slice of watermelon, hat full of peanuts,
an orange or a plum was serious subject,
and one which called for prompt action in
the way of supplying any or all of these
dainties.
FLOW OF SOUL.
In the meantime short literary pro-
gramme was enjoyed of recitations and
singing by the little orphans, and Master
Albert Strause made very pretty speech OF
| thanks in behalf of his MANY companions
The Journey down the river was continued
on through the city down to Davis Island
dam, where the boat made graceful turn,
and with an elaborate display OF fireworks,
the ioyous music of the band, and the
sweet voices of many who sent snatches
| of popular songs out over the pretty,
nencetul waters Of the Ohio the return to
| the Wood street wharf was made, where
| little Bobby Bixby. the youngest newspaper
| representative aboard, was the first to walk
the gang plank, but in his remark that the
| excursion was worth million Fourth of
JuIys. expressed the sentiments of all the
| tinv toddlers whose footsteps followed his