The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-10-12
PICKLES AND MUSTARD:.
THEN THE WEDDING

Such discussion as developed on the
piaa at the home of the Ellisons that
summer afternoon, would have been of Sc
rious import had it not been for the per-
sonality of the disputants. But a wranele
involving only half dozen pretty young
women. gowned In the light, breezy flufn-
ness appertaining to a perfect June day,
becomes prettier in proportion to it's earn
estness.
1t came about through Emily Hastings
proposal for a picnic on the Desplaines
river.
"Not one Of these formal cut-and- dried.
lemon-pie affairs, she explained, but Just
rollicking, jolly party OF us young folks,
who want to have a good time in the
woods
"And the young men," queried some one,
doubtfully. 'This isn't leap year, you
know!'
Leave that to me- returned Emily. re-
assuringly. "If can't make Herbert Wins
low take up the idea and carry it out as his
own, then I'm not up to enough snuff to
make baby sneeze.
30, Emily, how can your" came ia a de-
precating chorus.
I'm not going to him and bluntly ask
him to hire picnic wagon. pay for the pro-
visions, and generally act as field manager
for the party, insisted the young lady.
You ought to give me more credit than
that. I'm simply going into little psyche
logical suggesting. He'll think he did it all
himself. When the idea has taken, ex-
pect him to invite your humble servant as
his own particular sde-partner, after which
I'll propose that we girls make up the lun-
cheon."
What a pig" exclaimed pretty May
West. disconsolately; you'd monopoize the
attentions of Mr.. Winslow and leave the rest
of us to any Tom Dick and Harry"
80, that comes of my being the pro-
moter, you know" laughed Miss Hastings,
lightly, las simple stockholder, you'll have
to wait for dividends
but how about a chaperon?" suggested
Blanche Fielding, the demure.
"A chaperon!" exclaimed the promoter
tragically; my kingdom for a chaperon!
You, of all sobersides in christendom, to
suggest chaperon!" she continued argu-
mentatiyely. Goodness knows you don't
need enc, and as for casting such an asper-
sion on the rest of us-what shall we do
with her, girls?''
When the little beyy had gone into in
dividual pieces, the picnic was assured, if
only Emily Hastings psychological equip
ment did not fail. And it did not-at least
in part. Herbert Winslow took up the
scheme like an original enthusiast. rail-
road trip to Riverside, and picnic wagon
to take the party down the river, were fixed
upon. The luncheon scheme was excellent.
A list of the young ladies was made up and
corresponding number of escorts was con-
sidered. The day was set
But that night Herbert Winslow wrote an
inf v3xyif ofi
of the demure Blanche Fielding.
If Emily Hastings was keenly disappoint-
ed she did not show it. Her interest in the
picnic did not flag. Out Of her inventive
genius she even improved on the original
plans.
This is to be novel picnic" she said;
nothing else will do. Now, the design
err of it, I'm going to be the chef. I'm
going to write out list of just what each
girl is to bring in covered basket. These
lists must be kept in secret, and not till
we get to the woods, ready to spread the
table, is any one but myself to know what
we're to have for dinner
Everybody was pledged to the compact
of secrecy and when the bill of fare had
been made out and distributed preparations
began for the outing.
Saturday, July l, was an ideal day Gath
cred in the Union station in the early morn
ing, only Emily Hastings and her escort
were missing. Five minutes before train
time, Edward Austin, breathless, came up
to the anxious group with the news that
Miss Hastings was ill and could not 60.
Nothing Serious he treasured them
''Miss Hastings sends a thousand regrets
and asks that we fill the program without
her"
1t was a gay party in spite of the dis
appointing fact that Mr.. Austin was a bit
of overplus, community property. The
swift, laundering train; the jaunty picnic
wagon, trailing it's cloud of DUST the silence
of the wooded banks of the Desplaines-
nothing was lost to the senses of the group
left at last to themselves, while the wagon
numbered back to Riverside, five miles
away.
Don't forget to come for us in time for
the o'clock train" young Austin had i'm
pressed on the driver, and with his disap-
pearance hammocks were swung for the
lazy ones, while the naturalists, in pairs
wandered at will.
Basket opening at l o'clock was to be a
feature of the outing. Under a spreading
elm a grassy spot was cleared.
who has the linen?" called Eva Best,
who, in the absence Of Emily Hastings, took
the lead.
per in which pile of snowy napery lay
banked Nothing else was there With the
opening of the one, others turned to their
baskets unsuspectingly. 1t was a surprise,
in fact. One basket had only knives, forks,
spoons, pepper salt, and the etceteras Of
the ordinary table. Another had only
dishes. On down the list the baskets were
opened upon only table paraphernalia-
until Blanche Fielding's hamper yielded the
first edible things in the party-pickles
mustard, Worcestershire sauce and one full
quart Of vinegar.
But there are lots of pickles." said
lence that fell on the party. Somebody
burst into a shrek of laughter, the keynote
of the spirit in which all day long the mem
bers of the party tasted, save as their teeth
were put on edge by pickles.
Never speak of it to Miss Hastings,
mind" was Blanche Fielding's parting in
junction as, tired and hungry, they sepa-
rated at the Union station that night. "And
really, we have had lovely time"
Not every one assented to this, but it
was noticeable that Herbert Winslow did so
emphatically. Less than week ago this
emphasis mad new meaning for the men,
bers of the group who marked it. 1t was
brought about from the results Of tete-a-
tete in the Fielding's front parlor, during
which Herbert Winslow had turned nerv-
ously back and forth on the piano stool.
do you know" he said huskily. "Ive
been thinking good deal of that picnic of
late