Nebraska advertiser., 1857-01-01
Criminal GaIe.
Written for the Nebraska Advertiser.
A HUsKING MATCH.
BY TOM TURNIP.

Ihat is, one OF those which the
majority of folks ''read about but
which "your humble servant" had the
erstatie pleasure of beholding. Not
such an one as Miss Chandler, in
"This, that, and the Other," told of,
where the civilized and intellectual
"youths and maidens' joined in the
happy task, but where the backwoods
"greenies" convened to do the work,
in consideration of a hearty supper,
and 'Philander" afterwards, which
last signifies to march the "fair ones"
around the room to the tune of some
appropriate song, and winding up"
every few moments with a mock mar
riage and a kiss by each couple, who
were then ready for the next sett.-
The ladies, by the way, did not assist
in the "husking," but held themselves
in readiness for the aforesaid "Phi-
lander"
"The shades of night were falling
FAST" as myself and friend started out
on fair starlight eve to attend a
'Husking Match of the above de-
scription. The distance was but half
mile, and when we arrived we found
a score of the sturdy swains, already
on the ground and making the "nub-
bins" fly quite cheerily, The advent
of no less a parsonage than myself,
caused good many broad, uncivil
stares, but on the information of my
friend that l was not "Philander-
ageable" biped, the curiosity princi-
pally subsidized, and the work proceeded.
New hands gradually arrived, until
the number reached about thirty, who
varied in age from fourteen to twenty
and in complexion from passably white,
to "decidedly brown Under all this
accession of numbers, the corn heap
rapidly grew beautifully less" until
about twenty-five bushels remained
when the heap and the hands divided
into two parts, and a race followed, in
which were mingled such whooping
shouting, cheering and yelling, as made
the "vaulted arch of heaven resound.'
The successful party took the first
Ground" at the supper table, while then
chagrined and defeated comrades had
to wait patiently for whatever chance
meagre or otherwise, that awaited
them. Supper was quickly dispatched
however, by all, and they then adjourn
ed to vacant room, near by, to "get
their money back in change" The
quaint old song of
"Come Philanders, lets be marching,
Every one his true-love sarching--" (searching.
was struck up, and here they went
Didn't that little, fat, dutch damsel
and that crane-legged ''gophus" make
laughable pair; she took, at least
three steps to his one, and gazed eY
in his face with such a smiling counter
ance, as if to say "welcome, my long
expected beau!!" Another pair follows
them, in which the lady is the tallest
by some inches, and consequently looks
doCn on her diminutive partnerL-
Couple after couplefollows, antiquate(
and green enough, in all conscience, anC
finally after the whole company ha(
compassed about the room some dozeI
times they suddenly brought up arounc
the wall with their backs thereunto
and their faces directed, in circle to
wards the centre of the room. TIL
squire and lady some suitable per
sons of the company who couldsing-
then announced their READINGS to wal
upon customers" whereupon, tn
bravest,. followed regularly, in turn, b,
the less, and least brave, presente'
themselves before the officers and wer
"hitched, 7 temporarily, with verse Q
some baek-woods poets composing
calculated to be suitable for such occa
sions, and the ceremony" was close
. with a kiss, given by the'gent1eman t
his fair partner, who, when the tas
! was finished, rapidly joinedher femal
companions, and was ready for the mex
: sett. By the byy my friend informe
me that the exact spot, on the counter
ance, for impressing the aforesaid kfs
:, was not limited to the Ups, but the tel
/ ritory, like the suicides knife, extende
from-"ezr to ear"