The record-union., 1891-05-08

ably stayed at home to mind the house,.
In the back of the wagon was an old
fashioned rocker, covered with an old
fashioned comforter, and reclining in it
was grandma-the whole a fit emblem of
by-gone years. Yes, grandma had come
to this, probably her last, picnic with as
much delight as when girl.
Miss Sims had made up her mind TO
two things-one, that she would see the
people; the OF s.r, that she would see the
styles. Living, as she did, where fash
ions seldom changed, Samantha felt that
she was getting rusty as to the latest"
tusing her own mode of expressing her.
self.
But there were so many styles, and all
seemed to be the "latest," that the poor
lady's mind was in confused whirl.
A young girl, gorgeously attired in
flaming red plush blouse and white min
lin skirt first attracted her notice. Nor
was that all. Crowning this unique cos
tune was a cream-colored straw hat,
| trimmed with pink wreath and old rose
ribbon. This startling combination Jared
on Samantha'S nerves; but she was not at
all relieved on seeing the next woman
that passed, clad in a bright blue silk
skirt and black blouse, with correspond
ingly artistic headgear. Still another wore
garnet dress with black trimmings;
slightly low as to the neck, and short as
to the front; black velvet bonnet adorned
with an immense bunch of chicken feath
ers. (The unhappy fowl that furnished
said feathers probably reposed in the
sady'S lunch basket.)
Miss Sims also noticed that ruff1ed
basques had come into fashion (for that
day, at least, and cotton gowns trimmed
with rosettes of blue and yellow ribbon;
long flowing sleeves, similar to those on
tea-gowns, and many odd arrangements,
seen only at a picnic.
Much sightseeing had given Samantha
keen appetite, and it was with great
| relish she consumed her sandwiches and
cold tea, while she reflected on the lack of
taste in dress displayed by American
women.
When" thought she, "will they ever
| learn that red, blue, pink and green do
not harmoniZe; that silks, satins and
velvets should not be worn at picnics,
| that" but here her old sorrel gave an
emphatic whlnny, as much as to say,
''They never will"
Thus with quiet observations of the
! passing crowd, Samantha spent the after
noon, having a glass of lemonade as an
| only luxury. 1t was not until late that
! she saw the Blodsons, and other residents
| OF Oak Hollow, and great was their sur
! prise at seeing her, and prOfuSe their
apologies at not having given her an in
vltation. There are plenty of hospitable
! people, who, like the Blodsons, must
have constant reminders to be generous.
Before leaving the grounds Samantha
thought she must have glimpse of the
dancers at the pavilion. ''It would seem
| so like old times.'' There they were.
tripping the light fantastic toe,'' as
merry-hearted as when she, too, was a
bright, young girl, taking delight in
such pleasures.
| Old farmer Sims big barn floor, "way
back in the States," would hardly accom-
modate the young folks that assembled
there of winter evening. And among
| the rest was certain manly youth,
known and loved through all the country
| round. Samantha could see him now,
! just as he looked when he danced the last
waltz with her, before he enlisted in the
army. How many brave men gave their
| lives for their country! He was among
thousands of others, but his memory was
| fondly cherished by one lonely woman.
Into her thoughts of him Time entered
not, for it was not" In all her reverses
of fortune he was ever present-the same
bright cheerful lad she had known SC
long ago.
o Time and Change
How strange il seemed with so much gone
or life and love, to still live on!
The distant Sierras were shrouded in
tints of softest blue, their white peaks
! just visible; the sun slowly descending
| lent a golden glory to the atmosphere
when Samantha started homeward.
After all, the day had been one of pleas
ure, for she had been happy in seeing
others happy; and in her contemplation
of many-sided human nature had forgot
| ten prosaic self.