The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-01
THE RED EAR, OR THE HUSKING
FROLlC.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

have y atural heartineSs about them never
seen in towns and villages. Overweening
self-respect has not come in to fetter the
motiens Of the body, nor to smother q free
laugh in its utterance. Feeling and &C.
ton are in close relationship. You come
nearer to nature, untrammeled by custom
and unaffected by art.
A merry making par excellence is New
England husking frolie. The husking
frolic at the South is a different affair alto
gethsr. There it is congregation Of
negroes from the various plantations near
at hand. who, while they work, make the
cir vocal almost for miles around with their
rude melodies. few Of which have been
rendered familiar to ears polite by the
"Serenadsrs" who have so highly amused
the public during the past two or three
years. But, at the North, the ''husking,"
like the quilting" draws together the gen.
tie maidens and loving swains Of neigh
borhood. who meet to enjoy themselves in
their own way. And such enjoyment as
they have, in kind and degree, is not to
be met with every day. In former times
the 'husking" was wilder affair than at
present. Straight faced conventionalily is
gradually finding its way beyond the city
limits. and binding the free spirits Of our
country maidsns. They meet oftner with
the city folks, gradually falling more and
more into their habits as they par,ake more
and more Of their spirit; and, when they
assemble for enjoyment, they check their
impulses, restrain their movements. and
hush almost into silence the merry laugh
ter that seeks to leap forth like the singing
waters Of the fountain. No, "huskings"
are not what they were. Instead of seeing
on the threshing -four troop ofyoung men
and maidens, stripping from the bright
ear Of grain their leafy covering, amid the
laughter, music. and mingling Of swse,
voices, as Of old, mere labor comes in too
often to perform the service, and silently
and coldly does the work. Yet, here and
there, a farmer, who cannot forget the
pleasant times when he was young, sends
forth his annual summons after the maize
harvest is gathered, and then comes a
merry making for old and young that is
enjoyed in a way never to be forgotten.
! Old Ephraim Bradley was one Of this
school. Ifhis head grew white under tine
falling SHOWS Of many winters. the grass
was fresh and green, and the flowers ever
blooming on his heart. With him the an
nual "husking" was never ommitted. I,
was, like Christmas and Thanksgiving,
almost sacred thing, half involving sin
in its omission.
Kate Mayaower, wild romp Of a girl
from Boston-at least some in the city re-
garded her as such-was spending few
weeks in D., when invitations came
to attend husking party at Ephriam
Bradley's. The old man lived some three
miles from the village. Kate had heard
about husking parties, and her young spir-
its leaped up when the announcement was
made that ono was to be held in the neigh.
borhood and that she was invited to be
present. 1t was frolic that, from all she
had hearsd. would just suit her tempera-
ment, and she set off, when the time came, /,
to make one of party, in the merriest
possible mood.
Evening had colsed in on the arrival Of
the party from D.. who quickly join.
ed some score or two Of young people in
largo kitchen, where lay hesped up in
the centre huge pile of Indian corn.
"All thatto be husked!" whispered Kate.
as she entered the room.
"Oh, yes; all that and more perhaps"
was the smiling reply. "We have como
to work, you know"
"Now, gals" said old Mr.. Bradley,
who stood looking on as the young folks
gathered with bright faces around the gol.
den grain, "now for good old fashioned
time. Ifthere is not half dozen weddings
between this and Christmas, shall say
there is not much virtue in red ears"
As he ceased, down dropped, amid gay
voices and laughter, the whole company
upon the floor in all graceful and ungrce-'
full positions, in circle around tho pile Of
corn. Kate alone remained standing, for
the movement was so sudden that she could
not act with il.
Here's room for you, Kate" cried one
| W LILO gus WIN noA OOii0 VIII
place by her side; and down sank Kate,
feeling for the first time little awkward
and confused. Beside her was a stout
country youth, whose face was all antici-
pa,ed pleasure. The city girl eyed his
rough brown hands; COARSE garments, and
unpublished face, with slight feeling Of re-
pulsion, and drew alittle from him towards
her friend.
80. plenty Of room," said he, turning
broadly around and addressing her with
6miliar leer. "The tighter we fit in, the
better. Lay the brands close il you want
a good fire."
Kate could not help laughing at this.
As she laughed, he added: ea
"All free and easy here" He had gras-
ped an ear Of corn and was already strip
ping down the husk "a red ear. by jingo!"
suddenly burst from his lips in tone Of
triumph, and as he spoke he sprang TO-
wards, or rather upon Kate, with the grace