The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-03-23

very long; away they scattered among
The trees and along the lake shore, but
none Of them went too far to hear the
dinner bell.
I>don't need to tell you about the din
ner, for you all know what picnic din
ners are. The only strange thing about
it wal that those who wore the glasses
l have been telling you OF, did not APP
pear to see the red ants that were 30 an.
noying to the rest OF the company.
"Four hours Of solid fun" That was
the concise form in which BERTHE de
scribed the afternoon, when they all
met TO return to the place where they
were to meet the train.
The mile walk seemed longer than it
had in the morning.
ats a good thing our baskets are
much lighter" said BERTHE.
Though they walked very slowly. they
reached the appointed spot before the
train.
swell, we will have so much more
time to play" exclaimed Berthe.
"What can anyone play out here, when
they are all tired out, anyway objected
one.
"Oh, let's ask Miss Cole for some nice
quiet game. She always knows what to
do" suggested another.
Miss Cole certainly kept up her repu-
tation that afternoon, for, beginning
with the simple "Ship's come in" that
they had all learned from their grand
mothers, she interested them 30 com.
pletely in one thing after another that
they all started up IN surprise when n
OF the older members Of the party said,
ats nearly seven o'clock. l wonder if
they are going to leave Us here all
night
At this some of the little ones began
to cry.
"Con't cry, Willie," said BERTHE, pick
ing up one little fellow. "Of course
they will come for us in a little WHILE"
Then a happy thought struck him and
he called ont, "Whv can't We have q pic
mic supper? Tn sure there was enough
left"
But after they had eaten their supper
they saw nothing Of the train.
ats too cool to sit still; let's try walk
ing the rails" suggested Berthe. See
who can walk the fsrthest without fall
ing off,"
The boys and girls found that 80 ex-
citing an amusement that they were al
most sorry when at eight o'clock the
long for train appeared.
1t was a very long and heavily-laden
freight train, and after it had stopped
and they had packed themselves into
their car, the engine seemed TO have
bard work to start them; soon they
stopped, then started, stopped again, and
started, stopped and did not start!
Then they found that the engine with
the forward part OF the train had gone
on, leaving the rest Of the cars until
they could come back after them.
Some of the children began to cry
and some of the older people to scold
but BERTHE looked up brightly and said
"Why, it will be a regular adventure
won't it, Miss Cole?"
II think it WILL" she answered with
merry laugh; and 80 1t proved, for there
they sat in the darkness and chiliness
hungry and tired, closely packed or
those backless, c~ushionless seats FOL
hours and hours.
But all things have an end. and sc
did that adventure" and Berthe walked
into his home just as the clock struck
five.
Swell, mamma, l shan't have to sc,
up to day" he said cheerlly.
"You poor child! how sorry I've beer
for your she exclaimed; "here, sit dowI
and eat something and go right to bed!'
While he vas eating, he gave hi
mother q glowing account OF the nice
time he had had. II do believe we hac
q better time than if it hadn't happen
oO, ne 60lQ In CONCLUSION.
II declare" thought his mother, II be
lieve that boy would enjoy anything"
And 80 he would, and it's all on &C
count Of those spectacles. So long a,
he wears them, he can't help enjoying
things.
How did he get them, did you ask
Well, I think BERTHE was born with
pair on his eyes; aud il you were, you
are a very fortunate child, but il 20,
were not you can make yourself a pair
1t will be hard work, perhaps, but yor
cannot do anything that will pay 20,
better; Sydney Smith said such a pal
OF glasses was worth el,OOO a year.
'Oh, I know what you men, thinl
I hear some one reply, "for I have reat
that Sydney Smith said that the habi
OF looking IN the bright side of thing
was worth E1,OO0 a year. IL that wha