The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-07-13

We four girls" the Clovers had Fourth
of-July picnic arranged after the following
manner: First, we decided to go to our we'll
beloved picnicking spot-out beyond George
town, on Foundry Creek. 1t possessed every
thing necessary for making an afternoon in the
woods pleasant. There was little spring Of
cool water, the pebbly creek itself, with pretty
walks along it and over the hills near by, and
large, level spot we'll shaded, where we could
serve our luncheon and have our conversation
party" Above all, notwithstanding its many
advantages, 1t was rarely known to other pic
niekers, and even on this day of celebrations was
quiet with quetness which was ours TO dispel.
As to time, we decided upon from 1 o'clock
until S-pienics involving abnormally early
rising and hurried preparations were to our
minds boresome. Our luncheon menu was
simple; it included ham and chicken sand
wiches, crackers and cheese. a salad of deviled
eggs wrapped in lettuce leaves, olives and
salted almonds, chocolate and angel-food cake,
and caramels. We had planned to have lemon
ade, but one miserable girl forgot the sugar,
aud the lemons were useless except &c but
that's another story" as Kipling remarks.
There were Is of us-an extra man-one of the
were net we'll acquainted ali around as the
joliity of picnic demands, SO we decided to
have conversation party as soon as we
rived, in order to get things started. Our
topics were eight in number, and were easily
discussed. They were:
Rest.
Shapes a suparfuous necessity
Kipling.
u.-Predestination.
Sometimes things are all right, some
times you get it in the neck, but
everything goes. See?-Scribner's.
II.-Personal Responsibility.
1t isn't because you bloomin' can't,
it's because you bloomin' won't
Kipling.
IV.-Unrequited Affection.
We never esteem those who do not
esteem u.s." Cloyers"
V.-Virtue its own Reward ~.
Be good and you'll be happy, but
you won't have any fun"
VI.-Fun Defined.
a gilt-edged lark.-Scribner.
gigantic jag of joy.-old Song.
VH.-Preferring Blondes2
folks like Summer best; but for me
give me liberty or give me DEATH"
VIII.-The Villain of Fiction
or his feminine counterpart. Would
you rather go on a picnic with him
or with the rightfui hero or hero
inc?
We wrote the topics on heavy sheet of paper,
folded once. On the outside was outlined in
India ink four-leaf clover, the words " As we
were saying" and the date. 4 knot of Clover
green ribbon was tied in one corner. Partners
were engaged exactly as for dance, except
that the programs were entirely filed out be-
fore the first topic was begun. Fifteen minutes
was found not too long for each topic. and /, as
timekeeper can truthfully assert that from 90
to 30 minutes is needed for the discussion of
such subjects as Unrequited Affections" and
"tbe Villain" question.
1t was very pretty picture-the girls in
their dainty frocks found comfortable seats for
themselves. and the men moved around among
them as their programs dictated. Occasionally
Margaret would wander to the top of hill
on the opposite side of the creek, and insist
upon her partners coming way up there for his
conversation, but the most of Us enjoyed the
cool shady grass near the stream. wherever a
comfortable log or gently-inclining tree
trunk made pleasant lounging spots. Sometimes
four would talk over the topic, and often one
girl would talk to two men, as there was always
one man without a girl, and unless he talked
with some others. he was very apt to fire off
fre-crackers and torpedoes unexpectedly or
wander around discovering whether or not we
were sticking to our topics. We had prizes
Anne, by vote of the men, won little copy of
Coffee and Repartee," and man received the
prettily- pictured copy of "Stories of New
York" that was awarded to the best talker
among the men according to vote of the girls.
After supper we explored the walks hunted
daisies, made experiments in mind-reading.
played a round or two of "tea-kettle," told
old Jokes tried to remember all of the Declara-
tion of independence, and then when it began
to grow dusky we left the woods, and as we
walked homeward we watched the Roman
candles, sky-rockets. fiery balloons, shoot
upward, proclaiming the city's patriotic joy.
On these hottest Of Summer days there Is
great demand for the wide brimmed Leghorn
hats and a girl who has none il in A sorry fix