The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-14

At last the Saturday morning came, ana
such excitement and fun prevailed! All
the little friends of Blue-eyes were as
sembed early; really. the sun had searce-
ly opened his eyes AMI peeped over the
eastern horizon when all the little ones
who were to participate In the days fes-
tivitles were astir in their respective
homes. The earliest lark was just sing
Ing his morning carol when Biue-ey es
tripped down stairs in her nightgown anu
bare, pink feet TO see If ''things were
moving" She found papa and mamma al
ready down and busy preparing the nng2
luncheon baskets. When Blue-eyes can
into the room mamma threw her arms
about her little girl and kissed her good
sAh, ha! Bluie." laughed Papa, 1--WE
stole a march on you, didn't we?' Papa
and Blueeyes were always such chums,
you know.
Many spring wagons and great picnic
carryall-with rows of seats facing each
other along its sides--were at the gate
just ON the minute of s o'clock and Papa,
In the gayest of spirits, that set everyone
to laughing, put the little chaps' In
their seats, slowed the baskets, swings
and hammoeks away In an express
wagon for the purpose, took his seat
beside the driver of the carryall, clucked
to the. horses. and away the procession
started, the wheels turning as rapidly as
spinning tops.
Along the broad level road leading to
the country they whirled, past farms of
spreading green fields, across wooden
bridges that spanned dancing creeks and
over the uplands, among rock-covered
hills that led to a beautiful patch OF
woodland beyond. The happy children
laughed and talked TO their hearts con
tent, no restraint being put upon their
innocent enjoyment.
Papa had carefully selected the spot
for the picnic and had sent men out the
previous ds~ to clean away the under
n n M
seats. So when the vehicles drew up TO
the shady spot, all was ready and In
yiting. Nearby the picnic spot.-and I'M
der huge rock LEDGE listened a spring
of delicious clear, cool water
Although Mamma had prepared luncheon
in abundance, there was to be much cook
Ing on camp fire. The boys had brought
fishing tackle and soon they bordered the
pretty creek-that was well stocked with
fsh-busy drawing out the flnny fellows
in great numbers. Papa also held pole
time-wlth the assistance of a lot of the
little girs-to unload the baskets OF
cooking utensils, great pan of fine fish
was placed before her.
Then came the hsh-fry. And how the
smell of the cooking did whet the already
sharp appetltes of the youngstersl
All the time the swings were busy, too
for there was plenty Of time for fun be
fore dinner. and plenty of children to
"oh. let's have some wild nowersvo
cried Blue-eyes, who always had an eye
for the beautiful. "They will look so
pretty on the table"
"A sweet suggestion dea rie," said
mamma, turning some browning fish over
the cracking campfire. 'You may go
gather some, but be careful not to wander
out of sight of the camp Take Kitty
Belle with you, and be careful about
snakes"
Kitty Belle was Blue-eyes little chum
and seat mate at school, and the two
were almost nseparable.
Away the two little girls went In their
fresh white frocks, looking for all the
world like spring blossoms themselves.
Owing to the shade near the creek
fusion so Blue-eycs and Kitty Belle went
into the open fields that lay along the
rock ledge banks SO busy were the
little girls gathering flowers that they
forgot TO keep an eye ON the camp, and
soon they had turned the corner of a
hedge aud wandered into another patch OF