Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-07-23
PICKLES.

thC pidLEh ut tut uOlut VI thc
that summer afternoon, would have
been of serious import had it not been
for the personality of the disputants.
But a wrangle involving only half
dozen pretty young women, gowned in
the light, breezy fuffiness appertain-
ing to a perfect June day, becomes
prettier in proportion to it's earnest
ness
1t came about through Emily Has
ting's proposal for picnic on the
Desplaines River
mot one Of these formal, cut-and-
dried, lemon-pie affairs" she eX
planned, "but just a rollicking, jolly
party of us young folks, who want to
have 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 EN-
lily. reassuringly. "If l can't make
Herbert Winslow take up the idea and
carry 1t out as his own, them I'm not
up to enough snuff to make a baby
sneeze."
When the little beyy had gone into
individual pieces the picnic was as
sured. Herbert Winslow took up the
scheme like an original enthusiast.
A railroad trip to Riverside and a pic
mic 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 cor
responding number of escorts was
considered The day was set
But that night Herbert Winslow
wrote an informal invitation asking
for the company Of the demure
Blanche Fielding.
If Emily Hastings was keenly dis
appointed she did not show it. Her
interest in the picnic did not flag. Out
of her inventive genius she even i'm
proved on the original plans.
This is to be novel picnic" she
said; nothing else will do. Now, as
the designer of 1t I'm going to be the
chef I'm going to write out list
of just what each girl is to bring in
a covered basket. These lists must
be kept 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 com.
pact of secrecy, and when the bill Of
fare had been made out and distribute.
ed, preparations began for the outing.
Saturday, July l, was an ideal day.
Gathered in the Union Station In the
early morning, only Emily Hastings
and her escort were missing. Five
minutes before train time Edwin
Austin, breathless, came ND to the
anxious group with the news that
Miss Hastings was i'll and could
not go.
1t was a gay party in spite of the
disappointing fact that Mr.. Austin was
bit overplus, community property.
Basket opening at 1 o'clock was to
De a feature of the outing. Under a
spreading elm q grassy spot was
cleared.
"Who has the linen2" called Eva
Best, who in the absence Of Emily
Hastings, took the lead.
Here" and Anna Hunt opened the
hamper in which pile of snowy nap.
cry lay banked. Nothing else was
there. With the opening of the one,
others turned to their baskets unsus-
pectingly 1t was a surprise, in fact
One basket only had knives, forks,
spoons, pepper, salt and the ct ceteras
Of the ordinary table. Another had
only dishes.
On down the list the baskets were
opened upon only table paraphernalia
on until Blanche Fieldngs hamper
yielded the first edible things in the
party-pickles, mustard, Worcester
shire sauce, and one full quart of
vinegar.
But there are lots Of pickles." said
Blanche, breaking the long, breath
less silence that fell on the party.
Somebody burst into shrek of
laughter, the keynote of the spirit in
which all day long the members 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 part.
Ing injunction as, tired and hungry,
they separated at the Union Station
that night "And, really, we have
had lovely time"
Not every one assented to this. but
1t was noticeable that Herbert Wins
low did so emphatically. Less than
week after this emphasis had
new meaning for the members of the
group who marked it. 1t was
brought about from the result of q
tete-a-tete in the Fieldings front par
lor, during which Herbert Winslow
had turned nervously back and forth
on the piano stool.
Do you know" he said huskily.
I've been thinking a good deal of
that picnic of late. I've been wonder.
ing ever since why-as we could be
SO happy for one day on pickle and
mustard diet-why we couldn't be
happy always in home that had a
better and more varied bill Of fare?"