Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-12-12
miscellaneous.
COUNTRY ADJUSTMENTS.

Times have changed, aye, sadly changed
since we were boys, All things have
put on new garments, and the former
ones are cast away, as old fashioned, de-
grading and worthless Even in our
own native village, which has long been
famed for its plainness, neatncss and
regularity, great innovations have been
made. Artificial knick-knacks have
taken the place of Quaker-like plainness
and simplicity; cotillion parties, of the
simple country dances; and lascivious
waltzes, of husking- parties, apple-parties
and many other similar kinds of parties.
We do not like these new tangled notions
bali SO well as we do the old ones. They
are not tenth part SO mirthful, so spirit
stirring, so gladdening to the hearts Of
both old and young. But of all The
parties Tor bees, as they we're then call
ed, } which We were wont to attend in
our youth, the huskinq was our lavorite.
There is something hilarious, something
enchanting in the very name; and we
cannot think of the many happy hours
it has afforded us. without feeling
thrill of very pleasure. Its sports were
congenial to our taste and feelings, and
we always longed for the season Of corn
gathering
There was a certain husllina bee which
we shall always remember II has heen
the source Of many of the anxieties, and
Of all the pleasures which have chequcr-
cd our after life. We can remember the
time, the circumstances, and the compa-
NY, as if it were but Yesterday. The
barn in which it was holden was large
and commodious, and a pile Of corn.
reaching nearly TO the 'great beams, :"
held possession of the floor. The party
was attended by all the young people
within circle Of four miles. Merry
young husbands and wives also helped to
make up the number, and showed that
matrimony had not in the least diminish.
ed their love for mirth and husking bees
and even many of the cold folks" such
as liked to see the Younger frolic, look
ed in complacently upon MS. We were
cheerful as larks when we commenced,
and every one of the fellows husked at a
prodigious rate, expecting every moment
to find a red ear. And here, let US ex-
plain, for the benefit Of the present gen
Grafton.
1t was privilege Of long standing,
and one never questioned, to our knowl-
edge that when any Of the youngsters
found a red ear, he had the liberty 1t
was scarcely ever disputed 10 salute the
check Of the "girl he loved best" So,
when a girl found a red car, she had the
liberty Of saluting the cheeks Of the fell
low she liked best. If she should hap
pen to show any reluctance about the
matter, she was then adiudged to salute
the cheeks Of all the fellows in the com
pany. But if she was It'll refractory,
and would not perform the duty, another
law was made and provided, namely, that
the check Of said damscl should be en-
tircly free for every and any unmarried
fellow belonging to the bee. IL was
also a law, that q brother should not
salute the check Of sister, nor a sister
that Of brother. This was sometimes
called the "kissing-law," and none who
were shackled by the bonds Of wedlock
were permitted to enjoy its benefits. 1t
was ordered that husband should salute
wife. and wife salute husband. This
clause, however, was frequendy ingrin-
ged; for il was not an uncommon thing
to see young wife willingly lend her
biushing check TO a handsome lad, be-
hind heap Of husks or some other dark
corner, when their husbands were out Of
sight. So. rice yersa, with the husband /
But this, matrimonial licences. is for
hidden ground therefore we will tres
pass no further. Having satisfactorily
explained the laws Of husking bee, we
will proceed with our story.
We huskcd nearly half an hour--turn-
ed the corn topsy-turyy--but none so
fortunate as to find red ear; and il was
pretty generally believed that there were
few or none iu tho pile. Time began TO