Harper's Young People, August 9, 1881 An Illustrated Weekly

In this lively, rhymed tale we meet Picnic Sam, a wiry street‑boy with a bottomless appetite and a heart that’s larger than his threadbare coat. Living in a cramped tenement, Sam spends his days hunting any chance of a free lunch, slipping into Sunday‑school picnics, Bible classes, and even infant gatherings just to savor a bite. His fierce devotion to food is matched only by his yearning to be accepted, and his earnest attempts to join the other children often end in quiet rejection.

Through witty verse and vivid description, the story paints a picture of urban poverty tempered by Sam’s unflagging spirit. Listeners will feel his excitement at each new spread, the brief triumph when he finally fills his stomach, and the lingering sadness when the camaraderie he seeks slips away. The narrative captures both the humor and the pathos of a boy whose love of picnics reveals deeper hopes for belonging.