The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-12-01
Number 81.

rooms off. Ere she had time 10 recover
from the surprise, and, il must bs admitted,
the indignation. occasioHed by this unsx-.
pected assault upon her lips. the hero Of
the first 'red ear" was half around the cis-
Gle of struggling girls, kissing both right
and loft with heartiness that awoks shouts
OF applause from the young "isllsrs" who
enyied his good fortune. FR
That was now phase in the life of Kate
She had heard Of kissing as an amusement
among young folks, and had often thought
that the custom was too good TO bscomp'
obsolete; but practical! view, and Psf-'
sonal participation like this was . thing
that her imagination had, in nons Of iH
vagaries conceived. An old fashionstls
straight backed. flag g-bottomsd chair STOOD
near, and unwilling to trust bsrself again
upon the floor. Kate drew that into the civ-
Gle, and seated herself close to the pile At
corn jus, as tho young man had completed
his task ot kissing every one in the foom.'
First ratio, that?" said he smacking biz
| lips. as he threw himself at her feet
WASN'T luckyl" a,
Kate's indignation had by this time ill
melted away under lively sense Of the
ludicrous. and she could not help laughing
the merriest. Soon another rod ear Was
announced, and then the kissing commsu.
ced again. Such struggling, wrestling.
screaming and laughing, Kate had nsvsF
heard or seen. The young man who held
the prize had all the nerve required 10 90
through with his part, ~ Kate clearly
proved when it came TO her turn 10 receisd'
a salute. The struggle was long and well
sustained on the part Of the maiden; but
her fate was 10 be kissed, and kissed byss
rough young countryman whom she had
mover met before. The deed was donss-
and then the blushing. painting girl was'
led back in triumph to the room from
whence she had escaped.
Red ears were in plenty that evening.
IL was shrewdly guessed that every young
man had come with at least two in his
pockets. for the girls avo~ed that never
before had farmer Bradley's field Of corn
produced so many. As for Kate, she waG
kissed and kissed, until--as she alleged to.
her friend-making virtue Of necessity.
she submitted with the kindliest grace ims.
ginable; and, if the truth must be told,
enjoyed the frolic with as lively xest ~
any one present. aid,, 3
At length the pile Of corn disappeared,
and the company arranged themselves for
dancing; but they had hardly bssn, on the
floor for half an hour whom supper was an.
nounced-and such supper as that wasr
No pyramids Of ice cream or candisd
oranges. No mock or real turtle; nor
oysters in dozen styles. Turkeys were
there. but not scientifically "boned." No.
there were none of the fashionable city
delicacies; but instead a gigantic round Of
beefin the centre Of the table with vsgs,a-
bles. A bouncing junk OF corned beefwag
at one end, and big chicken pie At the
other. An Indian pudding Of ample d.,
mensions stood forth between the middle
and end dishes, and gigantic potof beans.
doomed up on the side; while pumpkin pies,
apple sauce, and host Of other "6xins,,'
filled up the space.
This was the bill OF fare for the evening"
and our city belle looked on with q new
surprise as she saw the articles disappear
+ ing one after another like frost on window
panes at sunrise. Ifths good wife did. not
say on this, as was said on similar occa-
sions, Lay hold and help yourselves,
gals-make a long arm, and ls. the men
folks take keer Of themselves. II any on !,
you like turnips squat and buttered, squat
and butter 'em 70 suit yourselves" "-ar
least as hearty and primitive an invitation
to 60 to work on the good things was sx--
tended, and no one could complain that il
was not acted upon. What followed 10
best given in the language Of one who hAs
already described similar scene.
"'rhe guests seemed to do ample justisv
to the viands; mirth and festivity rsignsd
around the board. Jokes. witicisms and
flashes OF fun would occasionally 'sst the
table in roar" All appeared dstermin-
cd to enjoy themselves at the top Of thsir
bent"
"Soon as the supper was over al the
girls lent hand. and the table was clsas-
ed away in a jify. Hindman's Buff was
next introduced; the company now wss
uproarious! Dancing was the next con-
sideraton. Amos Bunker screwed up his
violin, roisned the bow, "did up the toe
and heel inspiring notes Of Fishers Horn
pipe" while number Of the party, who
were somewhat skilled in the Terpsichore-
an art, put the "double shuttle rigadson. -
Presently the lockers on caught the On.
thusiasm, and the whole company, cid and
young, adopts and novices, took the floor
and did their utmost.
Twas right and left and down sutsids..
six round and back to back,
Harem soarum. hilter-skltsr, bump sogsth-;
or, whack.
sand thus was the husking kept up TN
the old clock, which stood in one corner
of the kitchen. beat out twelve; then broke
up the jolly gathering" ~
So ii was at old farmer Bradley's.
When Kate went back to Boston, shs was
f,a. N ,owo that shs had snJovad I nav,