New-York tribune., 1876-11-25
"THE BOYS OF MY BOTHOOD."
A POETS REMIyIsCENcEs OF HIS YOUTH.
Wiuiam cullen Brgant IN 81. Nicholas.

WiHian cullen Bryant IN 81. Nicholas
One of the entertainments of the boys OF my
time was what called the "rasngs,' meaning the
erection of the timber frames OF houses or DaIns, 70
minister made point Of being present. and hither the
able-bOdied mon of the neghbOrhoOd. the young men
especially were summoned, and took part IN the Work
with great aacrity II spectacle for us next 10
that OF performer the tighrope to see the young
men walk steadily the narrow footing OF the Deans at
a great hight from the ground. or as they stool 10
catch in their hands the wooden pins and the braces
flung to them from below, ,Ihey Hled VIII Tl,h Ion i
other in the dcXtcrlty and daring with Whch thcy
went through with the work, and when the skeleton O
seneraiy capped the cllnax OF fearless acvy by stand
ing the ridgc-pOe with his head downward anu MS
heels in the air Az thit tme, even Sie PIesesTe u ~
the minister no restraint upon the now OF lnllA
punch and groe, which IN some cases was taken 20 eA
The pracuye 0f caihng inc heIgnOoIs ~ theSo
IA. sings" is discontinued In the rural nelgho0r
hoods; the carpenters pIOldesher own "oihhtn ~ Tt
the business of adjusting the tmbeTs OF the new Duld
ing 70 each other aud there Is no consumption OF gos
Another OF The entertainments OF rustic e ~ ~ 'no Ie
gon OF which am sptSLlhs Mas tc @ VI nh, a.,
sugar This a fayOritc rOho OF the boys lbe HlS
psratus for the sugar camp was OF much rudef khu
than D. now used Ihe sap was pIoubnt III pt, tb
the wounded trees and poured INTO great earon % ivn %
hung over hos IRE from stout horizontal pole sup
ported at each end Oy an uplish. stah" pi p' ,,,,i 49,
ground Since that time they have bunt IN every maple
Co.'S Of sugar Is carried with several ingenious
conriyances unknown at that time, when everything
From my father door in the latter part OF March aud
tie early part OF April, We could see perhaps IO@en cor
where the work going on. After the sap had Desh
collected boiled for three four days. the time came
4
form OF sugar. This Was When the srup hsd become o
such consistency that It would feather that }, 10
saw when "a beechen twg, formed at the small eud INTO
little loop, dipped into tie hot sirup and blown upon
by the breath sent nIo me ayr sht leSthey ~. H
contents either dipped out ana poured INTO Hio
stirred bsEly TIL tne siu oooied ana '@1k tne ion
was exceedingly Interesting 10 the DOys VINO came 10
watch its dG:rtnt slages and 10 ny from time time
In Autumn, the task Of stripping the husKs from the
ears of Indian corn was made the occasion OF social
fne. Ia \
farmer woud appoint what was called " a hnskihk 20
busk sometimes along with part Of the stalk, were heapcd
floor. In the evening lanterns were brought
ana s..tea on piles OF dry husss, the men and boys
from the stem with sudden Jerk, hre" them INTO nask
cts placed purpose IL was often merry tinei
the gossip OF the neiEhbornoOd was talked over stones
were told iest- went round, ana &c inc proper hYuI 'e
assembly adjourned 10 the d"eiAhg-houso anu were
retcd ~ pumpkin pie and cider, whieh IN that season
had not long from the pres as TO nave parted
onito as cheerful were the "appleparings." which on
Autumn evenings brought together th. young People oI
both little circles Inc rut OF the oichhIis was
pared and qulreled and the core eltacied ahu suP
ply OF apples n this state PROVIDED loi hasns @,'t vas
called appesaice, Ehd Oi preserve OF "h4Vh e''i'
family laid In q large quap tity every year.
The cdernakng season IN Autumn Wa at tue time OF
which an sptakiuE' some" HN col4ca 70 ~
vintage in the wine countries O Europe Large tracts OF
land in NewEngiand were oycrshadowei by rows OF aI
ps-trtos. ana n the month OI May a Journey lhu"bl
that region Journey through wilderness oi
bloom. In tho month OF October the Nhole poI.a,i"h
busy gathering apples under the t'r, lIon "i'n
they fell M heavy showers Tie branches were rIh'h
the strong tue Iallueis lht ti'sh 't iH'
cidcr-mil turned bT horse moving IA circle, "-'
heard in every neghbOrhOod Que Of the most common
sounds. Ths freshly pressed juice Of tue aPl's
was most agreeable 20 bJysh tastes ana lAe Whoc lo
cess OF gathering the fruit aud making the CIDER came IN
among mo moro abOIiOUs rural occupations IN way
which diversified them pleasantly, and when MADE "
aeon q past pr. The time that was gwen "a mahlug
cider. tho number Of barrels made ana stored M tc
collars ut the farm houses, Wuui nov seem ihtItul'
hundred barrels 10 single farm was no UNCOMMON
proportion, and the quantity swallowed ~ lhc men Ot
that day 10 tho habits ofiutempcrance which AT cngth
alarmed the thOuRhtful part Of lbe cOunhty' thd
gave occasion formation OF temperance societies
and the Introduction Of better habits.
From time 10 tims, the Wlaer evenings, and OCCASION
ally Winter afternoon brought te young people OF tue
parlsa together In attendance upon "A sinHlngtckoui
soma person vino posse sol more thau common power OF
voice and skill In mOduiatgE IT, Vas employed To ieich
psalnlOdy and ths boys we're Datuslll attracted 70
his school 0s "a recreation. IL often happened thA1
the teacher enthusiast in hB vocation aha tn--
dsTed forth tho st down 1n the muscbOOAa win
fervOr that was conf ciOus few 0t tho-" VINO ~
tempted TO learn p5aluOdY were tod th2t ihey ha9 no
aptitude the art, and set asde but lA uI not
prevent their attendance hearers OI Ottis ia lhors
days Of tunes In fashion mostly Oi NtW-isu
gaud origin, winch have sine been lad ssdc III Ops
dsncC 10 "a faStdious taste. They were IN quIck
tpe. sharply accented the vOlds clearly aftcuLaltd
and often running into fuucs In which the bass lhe
tenor the treble chased each other from the middle
eud OF the IrccOlect tlat come hpaehtt
was manifested when slOwGp and gtdyer airs of cufch
music were introduced by the choir and wondered why
words should not Dc In tho same time that try
were pronounced In reading