Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-01


One end was heaped with corn ready for husk
ing ; the floor was neatly swept and over
head the rafters were concealed by heavy gar
lands of white pine, golden maple leaves, and
red oak branches, that swept from the roof
downwards like tent Butternut leaves
Wreathed their clustering gold among the dark
green hemiock, while sumach cones, with fame
coored leaves, shot through the gorgeous for
est branches The rustic chandelier was in
full blaze, while now and then candle gleam-
ed out through the garlandS, starring them to
the roof. Still, the illumination was neither
broad nor bold, but shed a delicious starlight
through the barn, that left much to the i'm
aglnatlon, and concealed a thousand little
signs of love-makng that would have been ven
tured on more silly had the light been more
broad
But the candles were aided bv a host of
sparkling eyes. The air was warm, and rich
laughter and pleasant nonsense, banded from
group to group amid the rustliug of cornhusks
and the dash of golden ears, as they fell from
the heap that swelled larger and larger with
every passing minute
Uncle Nathan's great armchair had been
placed IN the centre of the barn, Just beneath
the hoop of lights. There he sat ruddv and
smiling, the very impersonation of ripe har-
vest, with an iron fire shovel fastened in some
mysterious manner across his seat a large
Splint basket between his knees, working away
with an energy that brought the perspiration
like rain to his forehead Up and down across
the sharp edge of the shovel he drew the sen
der corn, sending shower of golden kernels
into the basket with every pull of his arm. and
stopping now and then with a wei. pleased
smile to even down the corn as it rose higher
in his basket.
Our old friend Salina sat at little distance.
with her fiery tresses rolled in upright pufs
over each temple, and her great horn comb
towering therein like battlement A calico
gown with very gay colOrs struggling over it,
Ike honey suckles and buttercups on a hill
slde adorned her lathy person, leaving trim
foot visible on bundle of stalks Just within
range OF Uncle Ned's eye. Not that Salina in
tended it, or that Uncle Nat had any particu-
lar regard for neatly clad feet but your strong
minded woman has an instinct which is sure
10 place the few charms sparsely distributed to
the class, In conspicuous relief on all occa-
slOns.
AS Salina sat perched on the base of the
corn-staik, tearing away vigorously at the husks.
she cast an admiring glance now and then on
the old man as his head rose and fell to the
motion of his hands, but that glance was quick
ly withdrawn with defiant toss of the head,
for Uncle Mats eyes never once turned on the
trim foot with its calfskin shoe, much less on
its owner, who began to be little exaspcra-
ted, as maidenS of her class will be when their
best points are overlooked.
Humph " muttered the maiden, looking
down at her calico = one might as we'll have
come with linsey weolsey frock on for what
any body cares" In order to relieve these
exasperated feelings, Salina seized an ear of
corn by the dead silk and rent away the en-
tire huSk at once when 10 long, plump
ear appeared, the very thing that half do
zen of the pretticst girls on the stalk-hcap. had
been searching and wishing for all the even
ing.
The discovery was hailed with shout. The
possession Of red ear, according to the estab-
Eshed usage of all husking parties entitled
every gentleman present to kiss from the
holder
The barn rang again with the clamor of
voices and the shouts of merry laughter. There
was general crashing down of ears upon the
corn heap. The rogush girls that had failed
In hndlng the red ear, abandoned work and
began dancing over the stalk heap, capping
their hands like mad things, and sending shout
after shout of merry laughter that went ring
ing cheerlly among the starlit evergeens over
head
But the young men, after the first wild shout
remained unusually silent, looking sheepishly
on each other with shy unwillingness to COM
mence duty. No one seemed urgent to be first,
and this very awkwardness set the girls off like
mad again
There sat Salina, amid the merry din, brand
ishing the red ear in her hand, with a grim
smile upon her mouth, prepared for desperate
defence
What's the matter why don't you begin ?"
cried pretty black eyed piece of mischief, from
the top OF the stalk heap why, before this
time, | thought you would have been snatching
kisses by handsful."
I'd like to see them try, that's all y said
the strong minded female, sweeping glance of
scornful defiance over the young men.
Now Joseph Nash are you going to stand
that ~ cried the pretty piece of mischief to a
handsome young fellow that had haunted her
neghborhood all the evening, afraid to fight
for kiss, are you ?"
I" No, not exactly" said Joseph, rolling back
his wristbands and settling hlmselfln his clothes;
it's the after-elap, if l shouldn't happen to
please" he added in whisper that brought
his lips so close to the cheek of his fair tormen-
tor, that he absolutely gathered toll from its
peachy bloom before starting on his pilgrimage
toll that brought the glow still more richly
to her face s
The maiden laughing till the tears sparkled
in her eyes, pushed him towards Salina in re-
venge. ..-....
But Salina lost no time in placing herself on
the defensive She started up, flung the bun
die of stalks on which she had been seated at
the head of her assailant kicked up tornado
of loose husks with her trim foot, and stood