Smyrna times., 1898-09-07
A RIDE ON A BUCKBOARD.
A Peculiar Moonlight Trip Furnished by
Mr. John P. Hudson.

Sitting on a long blackboard, with
feet dangling in the moonlight, an i'm
promptu party drove out to the resi-
dence of MIR. & Mrs. Levi AthOny on
Friday evening last, bent on all the
merriment they could derive from that
peculiar experience. 1t was the orlgi-
nal intention of the party after they
had met at the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. John p. Hudson to walk out to
AnthOny's to spend the evening. The
prospect of mile walk on such hot.
summer night did not meet with APP
prOval by Mr. Hudson, SO he conceived
the idea that he would get the party
there. if they would agree to go any
way he suggested. He went to the
stable, had his man to hitch his horse
to the lumber wagon, extended the
axles, placed long pine board thereon
and covered it with blankets. With
this rig he drove around in front of the
house. His appearance set up a wild
cheer of laughter, but the party were
in for anything so they got aboard and
in a few minutes they were moving
along with nice springing motion
that seemed to fill them with "an in
ward feeling of outward all-overish-
ness"
There were just twenty in the party,
all on one horse. The experience was
an odd one to many of them. In fact
it was a jolly way to take moonlight
ride. They went out to the country
seat of MIR. and Mrs. Levi Anthony
near town, and for the time being they
took possession of the house. Most OF
the time, however, they spent on the
lawn, enjoying the beautiful sheen OF
moonlight. 1t was there that refresh
ments were served consisting of lem
onade, cake, cantaloupes and fruit.
Let MS call the roll There was
Mr.. and Mrs, j Edwin HOffecker, Mr..
and Mrs. John p. Hudson, Mrs. S. j.
Reynolds. Mrs. Lillian Johnson, Mrs.
Harry Jefferson, Miss Hettie Megear,
Miss Fayetta Wilson, Masters Edwin
Wilson and John Postles, the Misses
Elizabeth Wilson and Margaret
Postles.
There were some absent ones as we'll
as absent-minded ones on this occasion
When S. j. Reynolds was inquired
for, he was said to be off electiOneer-
ing. One of the party who answered
for him said he was after politica
plum. He has had one from his party
and it tasted so sweet that he is fgur
ing for the clerkship under the mex
"Clerk of the Peace" No moonlight
put up.
1t was long time before f. E. Pos
ties could be accounted for. He wal
so busy eating cantaloupe. He die
manage to make himself known whel
he had finished the eleventh melon
The way he smacked his lips with con
summate pleasure after he had finished
this mess, set the crowd in laughter
He was ready for fun the rest of the
evening.
Walter o. Hoffecker was also absent
Like S. J. Reynolds, he was presumed
to be out electioneering, but as his Re
| publican representative, Gin q NOR,
righteous cause" He was putting VI
his fences for some office, but before i
could be learned, the attention was
drawn to his comical brother, J. Ed
HOffecker, who had ridiculous cOnum
drum to PROFOUND to the party. Hi
fish tales and conundrums put funn,
side to the evenings enjoyment. BIZ
laughing, jolly John p. Hudson coult
be heard now and then bringing il
some side remark in his characteristic
funny way. But the weather was to-
hot for him and he sat most of tn
time putting and blowing like a stean
engine. He could always be hear,
running down the Democrats when pol
itics were mentioned.
The party also derived some pleasur
from Mrs. w. o. Hoffecker. She wa
mesmerist of no small ability, an
whether she was aided by the mysti
influence of the moon is not known
but before her work was done she ha
two victims.
1t was a jolly, congenial crowd
Everybody entered in for a good tim
and they had it to their hearts desire
1t was nearing eleven o'clock whe
they jumped the blackboard for thei
return home "Driver" Hudson di
not offer to take them to their respeC
tive homes in that rig, but dumped th
whole party out at the corner of Unio
and Commerce streets and sent thel
off with his best wishes and good will