Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-12-12
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 70, 1866

was no laughter, no gaiety, no joyous
shout, and all because there were no red
ears. At length song was proposed to
cheer up our dropping spirits, and it was
decrced that Dolly Dean, the best singer
present, should sing husking song
Here permit us to say word about
Dolly. 1t will slip so easily from our
pen that we shall not mind the effort.
She was as lovely creature as ever
gathered lilies on green meadow. She
was lovesome as a turtle-dove, gentle,
amiable and virtuous. Her hair was
auburn, and her natural ringlets fell in
careless gracefulness around neck
which would vie, in wilderness, with the
new fallen snow. Her cheeks were bright
and blushing, and looked like pair of
roses-such pair as one gathers, Just at
the rising of the sun, when they are
fresh and fragrant with dew. Her lips
were vermillion, and soft, rich pleas
ant and enticing smile played around
them continually. But her eyes-those
tale bearers of the soul-what shall we
say of them? We have never seen
pair that was their equal in beauty and
brightness-there was modesty, gen
tleness, sweetness, vivacity and love,
so perfectly interviewer with every look,
that each seemed a part of the eye itself
For our part, we could not meet her
glance without feeling our heart race up
and down our side, asif it were a breath
ing animal. The truth must be told
we had just began to feel the working Of
true love, and every glance from Dolly
was kindling it into a fame. Dolly,
after some hesitating, was prevailed upon
to sing the husking song Her voice
was like an angels, and it made the old
barn ring with melody, Our heart
danced hornpipe all the while she was
singing:
A husking-bcc---a husliing-bee,
lleigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho
Where all the boys and girls viii be,
Where lips and check will all be free,
And kisses sweet are given with gee,
Mid frolics genial glow"
She had just completed this stanza,
when a joyful cry arose on the other side
of the pilo-"A red cara red ear I"
All work, as well as the song, was in-
stantly brought to a stand. Pay the
Forfeit pay the forfeitw shouted a doz-
en- voices. The girls began to litter,
blush, and hold down their heads. Gle
sha'nt kiss me" said one, ''nor me"
said another and SO with nearly all the
unmarried girls present Joe Lear, a
tall, brawny, bush-headed, strapling fell
low. was the fortunate youth, and he was
soon on his feet scanning the group, with
u curious eye, to see who be should So
lect. Two seconds afforded time enough
for him to make a selection, and he made
his way to rosy-cheekcd girl, "not at
all 10th" and paid his forfeit a loud
laugh followed this feat, aud all went to
huskmg again But red ears began to
grow plenty, and if our own private
opinion were given upon the subject, we
should say that there was rather more
kissing than husking done during the
remainder Of the evening. But il so
happened, that we we're not 50 fortunate
as the rest, for we could find no ears. -
We condemned our evil stars no less than
twenty times, and wished the heap Of
corn at Jericho, or somewhere else, as
many. We wished to find one for we
longed to aay forfeit on Dolly's cheek.
1t had not been saluted by the touch of
another's lips that evening, and wished
to be the first aye, the very Grst who
should salate it. At last one turned up.
it was joyful moment for me. was
called upon as usual, and Immediately
complied, paying principal with interest,
with good earnest. Matters then went
on gloriously, yet | was not entirely at
my hearts case, for there were two or
three sitting between me and Dolly ]
wished TO be at her side; accordingly /
moved the huge pumpkin, which served
me for seat, towards her. | was
obliged 10 suffer the jokes and laughs Of
the company for this, but / knew my
purpose, and withstood them manfully.
] soon began to enjoy my situation, and
in less than five minutes ! was talking
love. Only think Of ones talking love
10 young lady, while seated on q pump
KIM Young folks, nowadays, think
that they can't talk such stuff unless
they are seated on sofa but, in oldcn
times, we were glad to hold such con-
verse seated on pumpkin, oak-bottomcd
chair or settee, in a kitchen, wood-shed,
or any ont Of the way place where the
old folks could not get a squint ct US.
Four red ears fell 70 our lot that even
ing, and each forfeit was paid on the
same check. Dolly showed considerable
bashfulness about those frequent saluta-
tons, and once chided sharply. But il
made no difference, for ny heart was
gone, and my object was to regain it,
with another 10 boot.
The party broke up about twelve, and
/ went home with Dolly, as matter Of
course. The old folks had gone TO bed
nevertheless, an invitation TO walk in !"
as lovers generally do, held most de-
liei5us chit-chat, time passed swiftly, !
and it was broad day before either Of as
were aware Of it. Itwas time TO be off, 4
and snatching my hat, ] told her that
would call next Sunday evening, and
took my departure. | was as good as
my word, and | also went the next, aud
the next, until an inycterate habit was
formed Of goingto Dolly'seyery Sunday |
evening. It will not take wizard 70
decide what grew out Of this habit I'll
was nothing less than downright matri-
mony, and, IN the course Of few years
five fine healthy lonkino. lannhtnr-lnvinr