The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1858-11-19
Me# Enrland Corn Husklns.


Red Ear" by 7. s. Arthur.
"Kato Mayiower, wild romp Of a girl.
from Boston-at least some in the city re-
yarded her as such-was spending few
( weeks in D., whom invitations came
to attend haskiug party At Ephraim
Bradley's. The old man lived some three
niles from tho village, Kata had heard
about husking parties. Her young spir
its ioaped up when the announcement was
made that ono was to DO held in the nj igh.
borhood, and that she was invited to be
present. Il was fae frolio that, from
an she had heard would Just suit her tenn
Iperament, and she set OF, whom the inl
came, to mike up party, in the merrirst
possible mood.
Evening had closed in on The arrival Of
the party from D.. who quickly join
cd some score or two Of young people in
\ large kitchen, where lay heaped up in
thecenire a huge pile Of Indian corn.
"All that to be husked?' whispered
Kate rs she entered the room.
ooh. yes; all that and more perhaps"
was the smiling reply eve have oome
to work. you know
"Nov, gals" said old Mr. Bradley,
who stood looking on as the young folks
gathered, with bright faces around the
golden grain, "now for a good old-fash-
ioned time, p"
"If there are not half dozen weddings
before Christmas, | shall say there is no
virtue ia red ears"
''As he ceased, down dropped, amid
yay voices and laughter the whole com.
pany upon the floor, IN all graceful aud
uugracetul positions, In a uirc'e around
the p le Of corn"
"Here's room Cor you Kate, )" cried one
Of the girls who had come with her, max.
ing a place by her side, and down sank
Kate, feeling for the first time q little awk.
ward and confused Beside her was a
stout country youth, whose eyes were
danciig with anticipated pleasure The
city girl eyed his rough brown hands,
coarse garments and unpublished fee.
with slight feeling Of repulsion and
drew lilde from him towards her
friend" ...--
"oh, plenty Of room" said he turning
broadly around, and addressing her with
, familiar leer, "the tighter we get in the
better. Lay brands close II you want a
good Gre"
"All free and easy here" Ito sr"sPsd
an ear Of corn, and was already stripping
down the husk. IA red ear. by jingol"
suddenly burst from his lips, in tone OF
triumph; and, as he spoke, he sprang to-
ward, or rather upon Kate, with the grace
lor young bear, aud kissed her with a
smack that might have been heard a
dozen rooms Off"
Ere she had time TO recover from
surprise, and II must be admitted, indig
nation, ocoasioued by this unexpected as
sault upon her lips, the hero Of the 6rsu
cred ear" was half around the circle Of
struggling girls, kissing right and left
with a skill and h6artinesb that awoke
shouts Of applause from the young "fol-
llers" who envied his good fortune.
That was new phase in the life OF
Kate. She had heard Of kissing as an
amusement among young folks, and had
often thought that tho custom was too
rood tc becoms obsolete; but a practical
view and personal participation like this,
was thing her imagination had. in none
Of its yagaries, conceived. An old FASH
ioned straight backed. alg bottomed chair
stood near, and unwilling to trust herself
again upon the floor, Kate drew that into
the circle, and seated herself close to the
pile Of corn just as the yoIng man had
completed his task Of kissing every one in
the room.
"First-rate, thaip' said he, smacking
his lips, as he threw himself at her feet.
Wasn't lucky"
Kate's Indignation had by this time all
melted away under lively sense Of the
ludicrods, and she could not help laugh
ing with the meitiest Soon another red
ear was announced, and then the kissing
commenced again.
Such struggling, wrestling, sdreaming
and laughing Kate had never heard nor
seen. The young man who held the prze
had all the nerve required to 60 through
with his part, as Kate cledrly proved " en-
it came to her turn 10 receive a salu 49,
The struggle was long aud well sustained
on the part Of the maiden; but her fate
was 10 be kissed, and kissed by rough,
young countryman whom she knew not
before. The decd was done. and then the
blushing, painting girl was led back in
triumph to the room from which she bad
escaped.
Red ears were in plenty that evening.
( Il was shrewdly guessed that every you g
man came with at least two in his pock-
cts, for the girls Avowed that never before
had Farmer Bradley's field of corn pro-
duced so many As for Kate. she was
kissed and kissed until-as she alleged 20
her friend-naking virtue Of necessity,
she submitted with the kindllest grace
imaginable; and if the truth must be told,
enjoyed the irolic with as lively a zest as
any one present.
so il was at old farmer Bradley
When Kate went back to Boston, she was
free to own that she had enjoyed a new
kind Of merry making, and avowed her
determination TO be at old Bpkraim Brad.
Icy s when the next husking eanie olf."
One Of the best measures proposed At the
last session Of Congress, was Mr.. GRow'
joint resolution providing that all public
lands shall remain open topFe-emption foy