The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1896, Page 22

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22

The Lutheran Pioneer. .

(For the LUTHERAN PIONEER.)

Uncle Bob goes to the Picnic.

‘Howdy, Uncle Bob? What are you doing
here?’’

**T’m on the Committee.’”

“Tt looks that way; you’re in for it again,
ar’n’t you?”

“<That’s a fact.’”

That’s what the folks have been saying
year for year, and Uncle Bob kind o’ got
used to it.

You see, Saturday before the Picnic, the
Missionaries of Bethlehem and Mount Zion
had a meeting to make arrangements for the
annual outing; and as Uncle Bob resides
within a stone’s throw of Mount Zion, he at-
tended the meeting, and
was unanimously ap-
pointed to serve on the
Picnic Committee.

A few days after-
wards, Uncle Bob made
‘arrangements with the
Superintendent of Audu-
bon Park for the coziest
and loveliest spot; one
where giant live oaks
would afford shade and
coolness under their far-
spreading limbs. These
monarchs of the woods,
with their abundance of
moss swinging fantastic-
ally in the breeze, are
simply grand! They can
not be surpassed for
picnic purposes.. Those
that gave us shelter last
Friday form a regular
double line with a car-

riage drive between
them, and are known as
the Oak Avenue. To-
ward the north-east of
the Avenue, is Horticul-
tural Hall, —all that remains of the Cotton
Centennial Exposition held some years ago
in New Orleans. Owing to the constant south
wind in summer balmy breezes float through
Oak Avenue all day long, making this one of
the most pleasant spots in New Orleans.
Much more could be said of the beauty, vast
expanse, and lingering romance of Audubon
Park, but it does not properly belong within
the scope of this Picnic Sketch.

No drinking water could be had at the Park
on account of the long dry spell we had.
Hence Uncle Bob reported to headquarters
that the wherewithals for good lemonade were
lacking in the main essential: water. Head-
quarters went to Mr. P. Hirsch of St. John’s
congregation, the great cooperage-man of our
burg, and got four new large glucose barrels
for a sincere and heartfelt ‘Thank you,
Brother Hirsch,’’ which is here re-echoed un-
*“animously by Uncle Bob on account of Beth-

lehem and Mount Zion, and without a dissent-
ing voice, too. After having been brought to
school, the barrels were filled with water for
the Picnic. Sugar and lemons were bought
ala en-gros. Brother Pleasant Green was to
get the ice and haul all the necessaries up to
the Park early Friday morning.

Well, that Picnic came off on the 22d of
May; and, sure enough, it was one; and, as
usual, Bethlehem and Mount Zion joined
hands in this laudable enterprise.

The 22d of May dawned a beautiful day.
Three large electric cars were chartered to
take the pupils of Bethlehem and Mount Zion
to the historic oaks of Audubon Park. The
Park line passes the door of Mount Zion;
Bethlehem had four blocks to march. With

TREADING OUT GRAPES IN PALESTINE.

flag-decorated hats and swelling bosoms, and
carrying many fanciful designs characteristic
of a picnic-turnout high aloft on poles and
hoops, besides other oddities too numerous to
mention, the pupils of Mount Zion marched
from the yard to the sidewalk at 8.30 a. x.
When our cars came in sight, the boys and
girls gave the school-yell, which sounds some-
what like this: Hurrih—ih—hii! the last
syllable drawn long enough to exhaust the
lungs of air.

As soon as Mount Zion was safe aboard, we
hastened on to meet Bethlehem a dozen blocks
farther up the road. Whien we came in sight,
Bethlehem gave the regular U. S. yell, while
Mount Zion answered with the lately revised
and improved one as officially recognized by
the Faculty of Mount Zion. Five minutes
later, we were again flying with the speed of
electricity towards Audubon Park.

Three hundred pupils and as many more

young and old folks took part in the Picnic.
With beating of drums and Uncle Sam’s colors
in the breeze, the Mission folks took posses-
sion of the old hunting grounds of Mr. Audu-
bon and the Tchoupitoulas Indians. Four
barrels of lemonade quenched the thirst of
the hundreds of people. Swings for the young
and benches for the old folks were plentiful.
Uncle Bob was prevailed upon to take dinner
three times, firmly refusing many more kind
invitations, in order to save the mill from dis-
aster. Between 12 and 2 o’clock he refrained
from perambulating the Avenue, as his many
friends, in the superabundance of their good-
ness, had invited him to try their pies and
cakes; as the mill was overstocked, he made
a masterly retreat.

The scene was not un-
like our great Mission-
festivals up North, when
everybody wants every-
body to take dinner with
them, and be sure to
come:

Right here Uncle Bob
is pleased to express to
the members of Bethle-
hem and Mount Zion the

sincere thanks of the
Missionaries for courte-
sies extended. Their
hospitality was hearty
and bountiful. Thanks
again!

It would require too

much valuable space to
describe the pastimes of
young and old, and the
many droll and comical
incidents of the day.
Suflice it to say, that
mirth and cheerfulness
reigned supreme. To
the credit of the Mission
be it said that the be-
haviour of our own
people was exemplary. ‘The conduct of our
youth was in striking contrast with that of
the outsider, who knows nothing of true Lu-
theran mirth and happiness. ‘Truly, the
young folks reflect credit on the churches to
which they belong.

Our genial friends, Revs. Heyne and.Lan-
kenau, ever ready to speak a good word for
our cause, did not fail to come up and spend
a pleasant hour with us.

Much credit is due to the faithful members
who assisted the Missionaries in dispensing
lemonade. All day long they worked hard
to please everybody, and the verdict is that
they succeeded admirably. i

When Uncle Bob reverts back to the early
years at Sailors’ Home and the Picnics then,
and compares them with those of the present
day, he praises God’s goodness and mercy.
Year by year we grow stronger; and when
the Picnic comes, one has an opportunity to