Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-08
THE STORY OF A PICNIC.


Braginton's ballroom the night before
and the lobster mayonaise which he
had eaten at supper. His familiar
fri, I'D, 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 baby unless consumed in ex-
cess. Talking OF which," he added,
shall you run to fizz at your picnic?'"
''Picnic!" said Mr.. Mathew in care
less tone; "what picnic? l remember
something about u bean-feast to which
some one know has asked mo to go
next Saturday. l fancy l accepted;
but my headache made me forget.
Where is ito"
Jack Welman, who always presdes
at breakfast, poured him out u third
cup of tea, and shook his head.
"My dear fellow. were you us bad
as that? Really don't you know that
you are giving picnic, and have
twenty people. at least-seven girls to
my neutrality-suspicious. to Maidenhead
on Saturday next. and have got to pro-
vide boats and lunch?"
'Jack!" said Mr.. Mathew Gin q con-
fidential, IL rather nervous tone,) II
believe you arc right; it's coming
back to me nowr' and he laughed UNI
comfortably. I'm not quito sure it
will suit mo. All the Same"
Cant you get out Of it?'
II really must If l can; l am deuced
short 1t will be u matter OF ten
pounds, at ready money, too,
for most OF it."
"Cheap at that"
what am to do? Tell me good
excuse. You've not got Il headache"
write aud 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 DC? You
might say you must have u dowager
in each"
Mr.. Wc!man went TO the writing
table and wrote little pile Of notes.
drank lemon squash, and departed
to Lincoln's inn for. the day, where
doubtless he rendered v.lu ,ble 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' hand writing. 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
tlattered the writeE
DEAR Mn. MAuEw: It will be all RICH
about the picnic, as I can easily find 6
chaperon. Hoping it will be fine, yours
very sincerely. BLANCHE SMITH"
at may not be fine." he muttered
"What do they say from America
Wait u bit, though"
my DEAR Mr. MAHEw: We are mucl
looking forward to your picnic on Satur
day, and shall come, whatever the wealth
err, though we had better all have mackin
toshes. My cousin, Mrs. Thomson, will d
propriety. So that is all right. Arc Their
many coming. thought you only wanted
me- Yours very sincerely,
ROSE De JONES"
"Confound Mrs. Thomson! Here
another OF them"
my DEAR Mn. MAuEw: ('Wondcr VIII
she underlined the dear. What can l hav
saidaD You have forgotten you aske
mamma to chaperon US at your picnic. an
she has ordered new shady hat Q
purpose. Yours in haste,
MAY ROBINSON"
"Old Lady Robinson in q ne
shady hat; my prophetic soul! Loo
. here. Jack. don't grin-it's no JOKE
I've overdrawn already, and til
quarters only half through"
: There's another" said Welmsl
, grimly. ''in pink envelope"
t ''One OF the Currey girls" sal
q Mathew. with his teeth SET II fame
] asked both"
, DEAR FRANK Drank forsooth): Don
!, forget you promised Ethel you would ha,
plenty Of boats, and let Capt. Maudsl,
scull her. think I'll come in a punt, wi
Il you, as you want mo to do so much. G
one Of your young married friends
o chaperon the party, and give her some O
!. to entertain her in u separate boat. You
in frantic haste, Dora CURREY."
r Mice style OF girls that. said M
Welhum. "You seem to have MAJ
, the running all round. Lady Kobbi
: son will be particularly glad
X chaperon the Curreys! | heard h
IL saying 70 Mrs. DE Jones she wonder
IL how Lady BragintOn could invite SUI