The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1898-06-28
May Day.


May Day.
It Eas cloudy on Friday afternoon,
and every few minutes anxious little
eyes would wander from their book
and-look out of the window to see If
any 1ain-drops were falling; while at
recess Miss Reed was besieged with,
"Oh, teacher, do you believe it is going
to rain?" Don't you think it will be
pleasant tomorrow" and at home, at
Light it was the same question, Don't
you think. it will clear off, papa?" for
the children were antici cirating great
timeon The morrow.
IN, y always had holiday on May
day, If it was pleasant, with permis-
sion 20 roam about in the woods and
gather wild flowers, but this year they
were to have an extra treat. -
Mr. Berry, Farold's father, had,
prSHnised them that if it was good
day he would harness his two big
blacs horses into his biggest hay
wagon, and take, them all with Miss,
RseS, their leacher, over to the Single
ton woods for mayhowers; for though
the woods. about NJ abounded in
nspatica and violets, both blue and
yllow, cowslips and columbines, frail.
little anemones, bloodroot and star
ffSers, beside many others, yet there
VS. not one single bit ofsthe mayfow-
fr-the trailing. arbutus-to be found
Ierer thar the Singleton woods, ard.
those were fifteen miles away and in a
ely part of the country, not near
on own; consequently the children
h s saw any, and Of course priced
Pm much more. highly than any of
.en other wild flowers. :,
Sotl Of the children went of to bed
early that night, and wlen they open
ed their eyes It was upon bright,
beautiful day, flooded with sunshine
and with warm southerly wind blow
ing. Just the day for a picnic!
It was all so pleasant, even from the
starti The children were so glad to,
have a good day, and the mammas and
papas were glad because the children
were, and so every one was happy.
Then there was an extra nice break
fast, as the children were going to ride
so far, which I am afraid, in the ex-
citement, was not half appreciated.
Then the gathering at the schoolhouse,
and the shouts Of delight when the
black horses came around the corner,
and all the hustle of starting, and
finally they were off.
Miss Reed had low chair placed in
the wagon for her use, but the chill
dren just snuggled down into the
warm, sweet hay with which the floor
Of the wagon was covered, and chat
tered--well! Mr.. Berry said that it
sounded like the martins when they
came to occupy their house in the
spring, and found that flock of spar
rows had gone to housekeeping there
before them!
Now out in the Singleton woods the
mayfowers were feeling very unhap-
py. What was the use OF having such
a fine day? And what was the use Of
trying to put forth lot Of fragrant,
pink blossoms, if no one ever came to
see them? They were good mind net
to try to blossom, but to hide away un-
der the brown leaves; but as they were
talking.it over among themselves they
heard unusual sounds, and soon chill
dren, such a lot Of children, came run
ming and dancing and singing among
them.
Then every flower blushed rcsier
than ever with JOY, and thrust its head
up as high as it could, SO as not to be
missed, and the children declared. with
rapturous little screams, that each
blossom was bigger and pinker than
the last.
Once in while there would be lit
tie scream of another kind, as some
harmless little green snake would glide
away in a great hurry to his home,
wondering what all this commotion
was about; but on the whole they
didn't mind each other much, and the
children picked and picked, and then
ate their lunch in the big wagon, and
crowned Miss Reed the Ma / queen, and
then picked some more, till Mr.. Berry
said that it was growing cool, and time
that they started for home; and the
tired children, with their great lunches
Of flowers, were glad to curl down in
the hay once more.
Going home, they were talking over
their good time and wondering what
they should do with so many flowers,
when Miss Reed said:
Don't you think Bertha would like
some?"
Sure enough, that was just. the
thing! Poor little Bertha Day, one Of
the merriest and best beloved Of all
the children, had met with an accident
only short time before, and now
would have to lie quietly in bed all
through the beautiful spring days. And