The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-09-07
Il Grip to T11errinan's
Lake.
\ \ \ \ \ = \ \

5 \ \ \ \ \ }
TOOT! Tool sounded the horns
of merry crowd, as hayrack,
drawn by four spirited horses
and crowded with young people
stopped in front of our house.
"Hurrah for the picnicl' was the
chorus that greeted my ears as I opened
the door to ascertain what was going
on. "Come, get ready and accompany
us to Merriman's Lake." shouted the
jolly crowd.
Gall right" replied, "wait until l
change my Clothes"
Getting into another suit of clothes
in double-quick time, I climbed into
a seat. The driver cracked his whip
and we were off for a day at the beau
tiful lake, twenty-five miles away. AS
we sped along someone suggested that
we stop at peach orchard and get
some peaches to eat. Arriving at an
orchard that hung full of the golden
fruit, half dozen boys jumped out
and entered the orchard, but before
they could secure any of the fruit an
old man came in view and sent his
bulldog after them. The boys beat a
hasty retreat and clambered aboard.
The driver gave the horses a loose
rein, the crowd footed their horns in
defiance, and we again resumed our
journey.
Arriving at the lake about ten o'clock
the crowd alighted and proceeded to a
bowery in the park near by. The lake
was about half mile wide and two
miles in length. The surface of the
water, for some distance from the bank
was dotted with beautiful white lilies.
Walking along the shore about half
a mile I arrived at small dock where
a farmer kept several boats for hire.
I secured one and rowed back to the
park where the girls were swinging.
and called out: (Which one ofyOu will
accompany me for row on the lake p
Several of them answered, 81 will,
will"
"Now girls" said l, "you know ]
would like to take all of you, but the
boat will carry but two persons"
"Oh, let me 60, won't you, please p
they all shouted.
"No, just one," 1 replied.
Then the girls walked down to the
shore and "lined up" putting on theil
most winsome smiles and told me tC
take my pick. Looking at then
sharply 1 noticed one that wore the
sweetest smile of. them all, and said
"Come Clara, will you accompan!
me?"
With blushing face aud sparkling
eyes she stepped forth and, giving MI
her hand assisted her into the boat
Seating myself and grasping the oar
we soon left the crowd behind.
"Oh, what a beautiful lilyp Clar;
exclaimed, pointing to one short dis
tance away. 1 rowed the boat to tn
SpOO duu oliO oOOH uoN IL Ill tIiO UOd'
We rowed about the lake gathering
lilies until the boat was half full.
Looking at my watch, found to m
surprise. that it was time for dinner.
"We must 60 ashore, or we will
late for dinner" said l. Clara locke
at me and replied:
at is so lovely out here among tn
lilies and such gentle breeze,
would rather stay here with you tha
60 ashore"
eyes, it is beautiful place, but W
will become hungry and there is tn
ball game coming off at two O'clock, $
we must return" reluctantly replie,
Presumed rowing and when we wei
sone twenty rods from shore the boz
struck snag, piercing large hole j
the bottom.
"Oh, see how the water is comm
in and my feet are getting wet," erie
Clara.
"Never mind, sit still and we wi
soon be ashore" answered, and ben,
ing to the oars with all my strength,
made the boat fly through the waite
Clara began to move FRI ide
the other. I admnniS hot