Year: 1872

She had planned to go alone, so far as
was concerned, on that picnic excursion; but
when | heard it, determined to assist.
She pretended she was very glad, but don't
believe she was.


day." she said, "and we shall so much
enjoy cool morning ride on the cars and
dinner in the woods.


On the morning of that memorable day
Maria Ann got up at five O'Clock. About
three minutes later she disturbed my repose
and told me to come out to brc .ktist |
told her | wasn't hungry. but it didn't make
bit Of difference, had to get up. The
sun was up; had no idea the sun conmenc-
ed business so early i'll the morning, but he
was there


"Now," said Maria Ann, eve must fly
around, for the cars start at halt-past six.
Eat all the breakfast you can, for you won't
get any before noon.


could not eat anything at that time in
the morning, and it was just as well that
couldn't, for bad all that | could do. The
ice was to be pounded to go around the pail
of ice cream, and the sandwiches to cut, and
thought never should fix the legs Of the
chickens so that | could get the cover on the
big basket. Maria Ann few around and
piled up groceries for me to pack, and gave
directions to the girl ABOUT taking care Of the
house, and was putting her dress on all at
once. There is a great deal Of energy in that
woman--perhaps trihe too much.


AT twenty minutes past six stood on the
steps, with basket on oae arm, and Maria
AIMS water proof on the other, and il bottle
Of vinegar in my coat skirt pocket. There
was camp chair hung on me somewhere,
too, but forget just where.


"Now" said Maria Ann, eve must run,
or we shall not catch the cars.


"Mari,, said |, "that is an unreasonable
idea. How do you expect me to run with
all this freight %


"You must, you brute. You always try
to ease me. Ii you don't want u scene on
the street you viii start, too.


So ran.


had one comfort, at least, Maria Ann fell
down and broke her parasol. She called me
a brute again, for laughing at her. Maria
Ann drove ne all the way to the depot on
brisk trot, and we got on the ears; bat nel
ther tf us could get seat, and | could not
find a place where ! could set the things
down, SO stood there and held them.
t'Maria, d" said |, chow is this for a cool
morning ride 2


Said she. "You are brute, jenkins.


Said my love, you have made that
observation before.


kept my courage up, yet | knew there
would be an hour OF warmth when we got
home. While we were getting out of the
cars the bottle in my pocket got broke, and
consequently had my boots full of vinegar
all day. That kept me pretty quiet; and
Maria Ann ran off with "A music teacher, and
lost her fan, and tore her dress, and enjoyed
herself SO much after the fashion of picnic
goers. And Maria called me pig because
wanted to open our basket before the rest
of the baskets were opened.


AT last dinner came-the nice dinner in
The woods, you know. Over three ihous-
and little red ants had got into our dinner,
ane they were worse to pick out than fish
homes. The ice-cream had melted, and there
was no vinegar for the cold meat except what
was in my boot, and Of course that was of
no immediate use. The music teacher spill
ed cup of coffee on Maria's head, and
pulled ali the frizzes out trying to wipe off
the coffee with his handkerchief. L. ell |
sat down on a raspberry pie and spoilt my
white pants, and concluded | didn't want
anything more. | had to stand up against
IL tree the rest of the afternoon. The day
afforded considerable variety, compared with
every day life, but there was so many little
drawbacks that did not enjoy it as much
as | might have done.