Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1868-04-11

so thai there sss no use for judges for
the first who reached the door was pre-
senred with the prize. with which he re-
turned in triumph 10 the company. On
approaching them lie announced his VIC
tory over his rival by a shTlll whooP. Al
the head of the troop he gave the bottle
10 the groom and his attendants, and then
to each pair in succession, TO the rear oi
the line, giving each dram and then
pering the bottle in the bosom OF his
hunting sLirI, took his station in The CON-
Pany.
The ceremony Of the marriage pre-
ceded the dinner, which was suostsntlal
backswoods feast Of beef, pork fowls, and
sometimes veElson and bear meat, rosst-
ed and boiled, with plenty Of potatoes,
cabbage and other vegetables. During
the dinner the greatest hilarIty always
prevailed, although the table might be
large slab Of timber, hewed out with a
broad.ax. supported by four sticks set in
sugur holes, and he furniture some old
pewler dishes and plates, the rest wood
en- bowls and trenchers. few pewter
spoons, much battered about the edges,
were TO be seen on the tables the rest
were made Of horns. If knives were
scarce, the deficiency was made up by
The scalping knives, which were carried
in sheaths suspended to the belt OF the
hunting shirt
Alter dinner the dancing commenced,
and generally lasted until the next morn
ing The figures of the dances were
three and four handed reels, or square
sets and jigs. The commencement was
alwaysa square four, which was followed
by what was called jigging il of, that is
two of the four would single ont for jig,
and were followed by the remaining cou-
pie. The jlgs were often accompanied
with what was called cutting out, that Is,
when any Of the parties became tired OF
the dance, on imitation, the place was
supplied by some Of the company, without
any interruption Of the dance IN this
way a dance was often continued Til the
musician was heartily tired Of his sltua-
ton. Toward the latter part Of the night
if any of the company through wearlness
attempted to conceal themselves for the
purpose Of sleeping, they were hunted
up, paraJed on the floor, and the fiddler
ordered to play "hang out till morning.
About nine or ten O. clock dePutauon
Of the young ladies stole of The bride and
put her 10 bed. In doing dis II frequent
ly happened that they had to ascend
ladder instead Of pair Of stairs, leading
from the dining and ball room 10 the loft,
The floor Of which was made Of clap.
boards lying loose and without nails.
This ascent one might think would put
the the bride aud her attendants TO the
blush but as the foot Of the ladder was
commonly behind the door, which was
purposcly opened for the occasion, and
its rounds al the inner ends were well
hung witt hunting shirts, pe!rco,is and
other articles Of clothing, the candles be-
ing on the opposite side oIShe house, the
ext. Of the bride was noticed bat By few.
This done, deputation Of young men in
like manner stole of the groom and plac-
ed bin snugy by the side Of his bride.
The dance sulI continued, and If seats
happened to be scarce. which vas often
the case, every young uaH when not en-.
gagged in the dance was obliged to offer
his lap as a seat for one OF the girls, and
the offer was sure to be accepted. In the
midst Of this hiariiy the bride and groom
were not forgotten. Pretty late IN the
night some one would remind the com
pany that The new couple must stand IN
need OF some refreshmenl Black Betty,
which was the name OF the bottle, was
called for and entup the lidder Bot
sometimes Black Betty did not go alone.
| have many times seen as much bread
BEEF, pork and cabbage, sent along with
her, as would afford could meal for half
a dozen Of hungry men. The young
couple were compelled to eat more or less
Of whatever was offered Them.
In the course Of The lestlvIiy, il any
wanted to help himself 10 a dram and the
young couple to a toast, lie would call
out. "Where is Black Betty ! want to
kiss her sweet lips" Black BeIy vas
soon handed TO him, when, holding her
up in his right hand, he would say,
Here's health TO the groom, not forgetting
myself, and here's 10 :he bride thuDpIng
luck and big children - This, so far
from being taken amiss, was considered
as an expression Of very proper and
friendly wish for big children, especial
ly sons, were Of great Importance, as
we were few in number aud engaged IN
perpetual hostility with the Indians, the
end of which no one could ioresee. In.
deed many OF them seemed to suppose
that war was the na,Ura, state OF man, ,anG
therefore did not anticipate any conclusion
oft: every big son was therefore con.
sdered as young soldier
BuI 10 rtturn. 1t often happened that
some reghbors or relations. rot beng
asked 10 the wedding. took ofense and
the mcde OF revenge adopted by them on
such occasions, was that Of cullI0g of the
names, forelops, and tails o the horses Of
the wedding company.
Another method o! revenge which was
adopted when the chastity Of the bride
was liule suspected, was that Of setting
up psir Of horns on Poles or ree'. on
the route Of the wedding company. THIS
was hint 10 the groom that he might ex-
pecI TO be compllmenled with par oi
horns himself.
Oa returning to the iniare, tie order OF
nrocession and lie rsce Egr Black Betty