Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-19
Picnic Pleasures
Are Interrupted
Mabel and Harry and Their Friends
Find a Surprise at Their Outdoor
Party and Each Guest Hurriedly
Seeks Place of Safety


grass and shaded here and there by tall
forest trees. At a pretty turn or bend
in the river there was quite a fine
grove, and it was here that the chill
dren from the town loved to come and
hold basket picnics during the warm
weather.
1t was a glorious July day on which
Mabel and Harry decided to have a
picnic in the grove, and while Mabel,
assisted by her mother prepared the
picnic luncheon, Harry went among
their young friends to invite them to
help make up the party. And when the
clock in the hall struck all the in
vited guests had assembled at Mabel's
and Harry's home, each boy carrying a
basket and each girl laden with small
parcels and wraps.
well, 1 guess we're ready to start
said Mrs. Thomas, the little hostess and
hosts mother. She was attending the
picnic as chaperon. There is the pic
mic wagon at the gate. Come, every
one, scramble for a seat" And she
laughingly led the way to the wagon
cite that stood at the gate.
At the grove the children gave them
selves up to the enjoyment OF the great
out of doors. The SOFT green grass, the
wild flowers which grew in such abund-
ance, the giant trees, the young trees
saplings so full of promise-the deep
river, the DTluSe a quarter OIL
a mile away, the open spaces where
the sun came down so gloriously; in
fact, everything that nature gave so
freely was source of joy to the happy
little folk and their gentle chaperon,
Mrs. Thomas.
Nov the big boys must hang the
hammocks," said Mrs. Thomas, calling
to several boys who ranked highest in
age. "And brought along a rope for
a swing and a nice smooth board; with
ends already notched to be used as a
swing seat. Now, while you boys hang
the hammocks and the swing the girls
and will prepare the luncheon"
The boys fell to work with a WILL and
soon the hungry children were filling
three hammocks and the swing having
a jolly time swaying to and fro to the
music of their happy songs.
We'll isn't this worth while, mann
ma?" asked Harry, as he and his moth
er lifted some of the baskets from the
wagonette. Just see how every one is
enjoying himself. Nothing in the
world Is finer than picnic in the wild
woods in the summer time"
Yes. if there can be got together
such a splendid band of fine boys and
girls as mine" smiled Mrs. Thomas,
proudly "a band of genuinely good,
happy children 1 have about me-"
"a good mother and chaperon can
have no other kind of children de-
clared Harry. And his mother slyiy
kissed him on the top of his curly head.
When the baskets were opened q
great many dainty and toothsome
things were set on the big linen cloth
which was spread on the ground to
serve as a table, There were sand
wiches of many varieties, sliced ham,
cold chicken, deviled eggs, pickles, jam,
cake, cookies and big, round, juicy
cherry pie This last named Wand mad
been brought by little Oracle Baker, for
1t was a known fact that her mamma
could bake the best cherry pies OF any
one in the town, or in the world, Tor
that matter Or, at least, so every one
who ever tasted Mrs. Bakers cherry
pies emphatically attested. And so
Oracle had brought huge cherry pie.
carried in a strong, round pasteboard
box. and kept carefully guarded on
Gracie's lap during the drive from town
to the woods, and it was Oracle VINO
kept the boys from getting their fingers
in the ME for each declared he wanted
To "stick in his thumb and pull out a
cherry" and it caused Oracle no small
amount of careful watching to prevent
the crusts of her pie from being broken
into. ,, -
Just as the luncheon was drawing 10
that point where the cherry pie Would
be cut into as many pieces as tnere
were guests at the table a strange
noise was heard coming from the un-
derbrush near by. All eyes were turned
in the direction of the noise, and, TO
the surprise and horror of each pic.
nicker. they beheld the head of bull
calf thrust through the bushes. His
ewes were wild and he beloved men-
acingly. -, -
"Ail get into the wagon and I'll draw
down the side curtains" commanded
Mrs. Thomas, in tones as quiet as she
could command But her anxiety was
noticeable in her voice. Boys, some
of you weuld better climb those trees
there, those that have the low limbs,
In less time than it takes to tell
about it ali the girls-five in number
were snuggled together under the seats
of the wagonette and the side curtains
drawn down and fastened securely But
all the boys decided to find safe refuge
in the trees, thus giving more room to
the girls; and, seated about on tree
branches. some ten feet from the
ground. or in trees crotches higher up,
thev were quietly waiting the maneu.
vers of the bull, which stood still be-
hind the bushes, looking wildly toward
iUod