Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
ADELIGHTFUL PICNIC,
GIVEN AT MR.. RuBINo's ------L-.G
SPRING.
A Merry Party-Passing the Days ut
the warm-Cards-An Entertain
ment for Charity-Personal and
Brief Mention.


(special)-That truth is stranger than
fiction" is q time-honored axiom, and
its ease OF demonstration Is clearly
shown by the experience and observa-
ton of our daily life and that OF all
lifs around and about US. For the ex-
act record of even one such would al
ways far exceed the widest scope OF
Imagination, the most improbable
dreams of romanticism.
Such a written realization seems an
approprlate preface to my weekly bud
get. because that budget has its begin
ming for many OF us here in Mr.. Rubinos
picnic in honor Of his friends, Mr.. and
Mrs. George Gibson, Of Baltimore. and
including. through their kindly courtesy,
a company Of his friends and theirs
from this place.
Mr.. Rubino. of New York, IS the pro-
prietor OF the Rubino Healing Springs.
eight and a half miles distant from the
Warm. reached by the same road that
passes the Healing. and about one-half
mile beyond that well-known resort.
The Rubino Healing itself, though re-
Gently brought into public prominence
through the sale of its remedial waters,
is destined from It's great beauty Of
situation, and from the curative power
OF its springs, 20 say nothing OF the
genial gentleman who controls them, 10
swell the list of famous water cures, for
which this valley surpasses all others
| now known. But, TO return to our
story of the ever-memorablesday Of our
visit there and our entertainment-en-
| tertainment or picnic in the broadest
most comprehensive sense, since hay
ride to the grounds near the Rubino
| Healing. a walk to the beautiful cas-
cades in immediate vicinity refresh
ments. a dance and moonlight return
| drive to the Warm were all included In
| the thoughtful programme, devised for
our enjoyment by Mr.. Rubino, who was
assisted in it's details by his friends
Mr.. Page, OF West Virginia; Mr.. Harri-
son, of Ohio and Mr.. and Mrs. Richard
son, of Tennessee.
A pavilion of spacious dimensions,
built around n beautiful maple, whose
trunk and branches held a musician $
| stand, became visible when guests
| alighted at the head of Cascade Glen,
when they were received at half-past
8 in the afternoon. and where parties
were quickly formed for a walk through
| the glen and a visit to the aforemen-
| toned cascades, which have given It its
name. 1t would require greater powers
than mine to do even feeble justice 10
| all the beauty disclosed by that walk,
| or to fifty tell the impression left on
ones mind by glorious sunset wit
messed from the rocks beside the foam
/ ing waters and in the shadow OF the
frcwnlng cliffs above them.
But "tempus fugit" wherever we
are, and almost before we were ready
we were recalled to our starting point
| where all assembled for dancing, anc
where the pavilion and it's accessories
l.presented a most picturesque and ami
mated scene. being lighted by huge
Japanese lanterns hanging everywhere
and making charming bits Of color II
the surrounding greenery.
To the right OF tho pavilion was {
table. likewise lighted with japanese
lanterns, and fairly grooming under il
burden OF good things. There. whel
dancers agreed TO an adjournment
guests took their appointed places, ant
there, in the soft, sweet air. with tn
musicians and the water murmuring
soft undertone, they partook OF re
past which was an inspiring aid 10
feast of reason and flow Of soul
accompanying 1t. Hook and MosellC
chabls, sauterne, and champagne wer
not more potent than the pure spark
ling water, which was also In demand
and all seemed delightful with the spice
ham, wild turkey, boned fowl, and pate
de-fois-gras, tempting the appetites OF al
When the final health had been drum
and the final toast given return t
the pavilion was I'm order-then IN
dancing Of the Virginia reel, and af
forwards some very sweet singing. The
pleasant Eau revoirs, not good-byes,
wero spoken, and we started for HON
with the beautiful moonlight lying Xix
silver over hill and valley, while on
hearts were full OF pleasant thought
and our lips busy with pleasant word
for what we had left behind, but ha
not forgotten.
/ sometimes wonder If the old Egyptia
worthless, who are supposed to have II
vented cards. enjoyed them as much 9
we do now, and II they ever published
book of rules on whist or played euchl
with zest equalling these end-of-th'
century days This thought intrude
itself a few nights ago as / witnesse
the gay amusement Of seven-in-han