Evening journal., 1897-09-24
A PICNIC IN TINTowN.
One which .eDe Lord Donn seem Ter
prove o."

arranging as 10 where the flock should
90. and as to what each should furnish,
and as to who should be manager-in-
chief Of the affair. Some suggested that |
they should have a flatboat and go up |
to Towhead island, and others said: |
mo, we'll des walk up de river till we |
gifts hongry 'nuff ter eat an den drap |
down" "What's de matter wild havin'
1t right hyar to home in our own
chutch?" said Rev. jenkins.
Oats de very thing" exclaimed a
chorus of voices.
1t was finally arranged that each
woman who attended the church picnic
was to take a well-flled basket, covered |
with heavy paper, a card inside bearing
her name. The baskets were to go TO
the highest bidder, and the purchaser
was TO eat with the good sister" that
brought the basket. All of the darlSys
in Tintown were at once caught with
the spirit of the scheme, and arrange
ments were begun at once, and what
preparations they began to make forit.
1t is hard to beat a southern darlSy
when it comes to cooking, and cakes,
pies, chicken and other good things
began to find their way into the bas-
kets.
The night for the picnic at last came
around, and the little tin church was
thrown open for tn occasion. Uncle
Mosby, pious looking old deacon, was
selected to sell the baskets. Uncle
Mosby always looked pious when there
was anything going on around the
meeting house, but Uncle Mosby had
been in Jail once for taking sack of
meal from a mill door.
Darkys old and young, children and
all, came crowding into the church.
Such laughing and moving up to the
pulpit where the baskets were 10 be
sold. Uncle Mosby arose, and as he
waved his hand for silence said:
"Dis hyar picnic is fer de ben'ft NV
de chutch, de cookin' is garanteed,
highest bidder gifts de grub, cash down,
mine yo'"
An old negro at this point arose and
said that he would cut a white cake
with a ring inside, is cents cash down,
and the ring guaranteed.
The first basket brought 20 cents, but
Uncle Mosby gave them to understand
that no more would go at that price.
The bidding became better. 1t was
just here that a new feature was intro
duced. Jim Drake, a drunken steam
boat rouster, came in, displaying S4 or
IS, and began to bid. An old sister by
the name of Jane Lanem, yelled out;
He carn't eat wild me-"
otLcre v.,oJo 41,fr cor,o 81
ment but Jim held his ground, and said:
my money is des as good as anybody's
money"
"Yo' money is satin's money!" yelled
Aunt Jane.
Eyes, an yo'd like ter hav' oil Satin
plaster'd all over vol" said Jim.
Uncle Mosby waved his hand and said:
''Dis hyar picnic am gwine ter be run
on principals Nv respec', an bein' yer
amt in no respectubul condishun, jim
yo can't buy no grub"
Size jes er bout as 'specterbul ez yo'
wuz when yo' stale dat sack er meal
yo' OF lynn hippercrit."
Uncle Mosby went for him. and
squashed a basket over his head. Chick.
en- and pop" flew in every direction
and four or five joined in the fracas. The
women yelled and some one turned out
the lights. Jim, the rouster. escaped in
the darkness, and took a basket Will
him as he went, and when an old negro
, struck q match Uncle Mosby and Elder
jenkins were fighting over in a corner
r each thinking that the other was Jim.
When peace was restored it was dis
covered that seven baskets were miss
ing, and that the cake with the "golt
! ring" was also gone.
No one knew where they had gone.
Uncle Mosby slowly pinned the col
Z lar of his shirt, scratched his head, ant
= said:
$50 fur ez lie concern'd dc picnic Il
I adjourn'd. lie Lawd doan seem te
prov Nv 'em jes now"
Reaching for one Of the large bas
G kets he started for the door, saying:
Peace on urth-good win ter men
Goodnight" Dispatch.
g..