The free press., 1894-09-06
THE B. L. E. PICNIC.

erbood Of Locomotive Engineers
gwen at Heidelberg last Thursday,
was pronounced by those in at.
tendance q grand success in every
particular. We had the good for
tune to be present and speak from
experience.
The excursion train, which START
cd from Slidell, left here at $3.50 a.
m. with goodIy crowd, which was
largely increased at every station
en- route. Over sixty tickets were
sold here, and Poplarville enjoyed
the distinction of being more large.
~ represented than any other point
on the road with the exception Of
Meridian. We overheard the tol.
lowing remark, which we will not
repeat to our bellies: "1he loveliest
girls on the ground are from Pop.
larville."
Two little incidents occurred en-
route that caused a meNy ripple of
laughter, to.wit: Will White lost
bis hat overheard, but philosoph.
ically contented himself with ma
ture's head-coveripg until he reach-
ed Heidelberg. As the train was
approaching Puryis, a lady who was
anxious to catch glimpse of a
friend who was expected to be on
the depot platform, seized the coat
of gentleman who was leaning out
ofa window, pulled him aside and
without q word of explanation
usurped the position of the straug.
er. Hearty laughter was in order
from those who witnessed the i'm.
pulsive scene. The gentleman looks
ed as though he had been trlghten-
ed out of ten years of his earthly
existence.
ancing, dinner and visits to the
ice cream stands were the princi.
pal entertainment features OF the
picnic, The programme was q neat.
8 page production, z pages of which
consisted of advertisements Of the
leading business men of Meridian,
The music was excellent, the dane.
ing pavilion neat and roomy and
we'll patronized. The attendance
was estimated at about 700, and it
would be impossible to conceive of
a more orderly gathering.
We we're sumptuously feasted by
Mrs. II. E. Allen and her charming
party, and did hearty Justice to the
culinary taste and skill of our fair
entertainers. To Messrs. Hawks
and Saultz, two of the leading pro-
moters Of the picnic, we are indebt.
ed for special favors. We had the
pleasure of meeting many old
friends from yarlous points, among
them Mr.. James Richards, who was
formerly in business here, and who
is now a prosperous merchant Of
Heidelberg.
| A heavy rain at 3 p. N. did not
dampen the spirit of fun-on the
contrary added spice to the occa'
sion.
At 6 p. m. the excursionists
regretfully boarded the trains for
home. the Poplarville delegation sr-'
riving at their destination about 10
p. m.
Ou the homeward trip George
Bilbo's hat acted the part of . bird
and few off to join the angels.
George, who was going through to
New Orlsns, remarked that he
hoped some merchant in that city
kept hats in stock. Mrs. H. E.
Allen was the life of our party, and
| if one from weariness closed an eye,
she adopted heroic remedies for the
cure of drowsiness.
We heard several railroad men
speak in high terms of appreciation
of the large Poplarville turnout,
and it is likely that our citizens
will hereafter have more frequent
opportunities of enjoy ing reason"
able rate excursions.
Now, that the tariff is settled
and business ls beginning to ascend
the up.e rade. we would respectfuls