The herald., 1898-08-07

can opener. Bottled and canned goods are
exasperating unless they can be opened
when wanted.
The choice of the refreshments must de.
pend upon the taste and purses Of the par
ty. Sandwiches in endless variety; ham,
tongue, cold fowls, corned beef, dried beef,
cold roast beef (not forgetting the must
tard), bread. cakes, pastry, fruit Of all
sorts, canned goods of every description
there is literally no end to the variety Of
edibles for picnic parties. When the picnic
is clambake or a fishing party, bread, but
ter and drinkables and fruit, with condl-
ments for cooking the fish, should form ths
staple of the provisions. Still, 1t Is wise not
to rely altogether upon the luck Of the fish
ermen, who have been known to be un-
successful in such cases
Basket Picnics
Basket picnics,- in which every member
of the party brings his or her own lunch
con, without reference to the others, sort
of surprise party, where the whole Is put
together for a common feast are very
pleasant affairs when the picnickers are all
intimate friends; otherwise they are apt to
be disastrous failuresi since the informal
camaraderie of the gathering is what con-
stitutes its special charm.
AT a small picnic among friends and neigh
bors the company may be safely trusted to
amuse themselves and each other. Gather
ing flowers and ferns. wandering off on ex-
ploring expeditions through the woods and
fields around; outdoor games, with a modi-
cum Of flirting. furnish sufficient occupa-
ton for the time before and after the repast,
which is generally the event of the day.
lar tbar r{p ol
tainment must be provided. There should
be music. and temporary floor should be
laid for dancing. 1t Is far more poetical
than pleasant to foot ii on the green
sward.'
For picnic-Ginghams white or coored
lawns, the trim and ubiquitous shirt waist,
with crash or woolen skirt-in short, any
thing simple and pretty, which an upset
cup of coffee or a glass of lemonade or q
little water will not spoil, and which will
not be damaged past remedy If the wearer
sits on the grass. These are the appropri-
ate toilets for picnics and admit of very
charming get-ups.
Prudence Demands Thick Shoes
Prudence demands that you shall wear
thick shoes, and by all means take blanket
shawl to serve as a seat on land or a needed
wrap on the water. 1t is wise, also, to take
your macintosh, 1t will go with the shawl
in the shawl strap and be blessing In case
of sudden shower
In "the good old times" prospective PFC
nickers were wont to rise at dawn to inves.
tigate the state of the clouds; now they
can telephone to the weather bureau or to
a newspaper office the night before, and
learn beforehand whether the weather Is
likely to be propitious the next day. But
even the signal service cannot foresee every
local thunderstorm on a midsummer day;
and so. even though you are promised sun
shine, 1t is wise to take an umbrella. Your
parasol may be more picturesque and be-
coming, but the umbrella will be most SER
vceable either in sun or rain, and is more
easily carried.
Have a distinct understanding as to the
rendezvous, the time and the exact place
of meeting. Ridiculous mistakes some.
times occur which would be amusing were
they not 80 annoying, because of lack Of
this. If the excursion is by rail or boat
see that everyone has a schedule of trains
and insist that everybody shall be present
fifteen minutes before the time to start,
SO that the party may be got together in
good season, and no one left behind.
Provision for Emergencies
Thread two needles. one with black and
one with white thread, and stick them,
with the thread wrapped round and round
them, into a bit a flannel. which you can
put in your chatelaine bag or into flap
Of your dress. Somebody will bless your
foresight In bringing them, If you do not
need them yourself.
Last, but not least, whatever else you
leave behind, take an abundant stock Of
good temper, and make up your mind that
you will have a good time, no matter what
happens. If it rains, congratulate your
self upon your foresight in taking mack
ntosh and umbrella; IL the sun shines too
ardently be thankful that it does not rain,
and keep in the shade as much as possible.
If somebody spills claret over your dainty
white gown, put salt on the spot at once,
and remember that If that fails. sweet milk
will efface the stain, and smile because
the accident is not irreparable.
In short whatever misadventures occur,
laugh them off as SO many Jokes; there is
a great deal In the way of putting things.
Do your best to make everybody else enjoy
the occasion; keep your mental equilibrium
and. like Mark Tapley, be jolly no matter
what happens, and depend upon it, your
picnic will be a success.-Chicago Times
Herald.