Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1869 — A Practical Joke. [ARTICLE]

A Practical Joke.

A party of ladies concluded, the other day, to have a picnic, or May party. They decided that the male specimens of humanity should not be represented The poor fellows who were ruled out felt bad about it. They swore vengeance. It was very unnllafit in the gentlemen, we will admit, Nevertheless, our duty as truthful journalists comples us to give the facts. The ladies were not to be daunted by threats. “ When a woman wills she will, you may depend on't.” They made all necessary arrangements. A goodly sup ply of eatables were procured, and a conveyance engaged. The day selected for the picnic was a beautiful one. The sky was clear, not a cloud was to be seen. The ladies were about taking there seats in the vehicle which was to convey them to the picnic grounds, when a gentleman, who had stopped to see them off, casually remarked that they had selected a dangerous place to hold a picnic, as there was a band of Indians encamped near Smith’s Ferry, on the Bellevue road. This announcement shook their courage some what; butene little vixen, who seemed to furnish the courage for the entire party, said that she would go there alone; if they were afraid to accompany her, they might remain at home. They said that “ they were not afraid to go any where.” 80 crack went the whip and away went the wagon. A drive of about one hour brought them to a beautiful picnic ground on the banks of the Mississippi, near Smith’* Ferry. They had not alighted from the wagon, but were debating the respective merits of the two camping grounds situated in the immediate vicinity, when there arose up, as if coming out of the ground, a dozen Indians, paint, feathers, moccasins, blankets, and all Thd Indians seized the reins, and by gestures gave the ladies to understand that they must leave the wagon and provision with them. The ladies were very glad to eseape with their lives, and willingly started on foot toward home. They,had not proceeded more than three quarters of a mile when they were intercepted by a party of their gentlemen friends, to whome they related their grievances. The gentlemen gave vent to a certain amount of condolence, and then informed.the ladies that they were having a picnic, and had a quantity .of eatables which they would be pleased to share with them. The ladies were escorted to a beautiful spot near the road, where they found a table spread in anticipation of their coming. It was groaning under the weight of the very goodies of which they had a short time before been despoiled. Their horses stood near by, under the trees, composedly brushing away the flies, and strewn about on the grass were blankets and feathers, etc. —Galena {hl.) Gaeette.