Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-03-09
The New England Supper.

caster. 1t was happy in design and
execution. 1t was the work of the
ladies and they are deserving of the
highest compliments for their zeal
and energy in an undertaking which
furnished so much innocent amuse
ment with so instructive and profita-
bic results. What is New England
supper? How does New England
supper dfiH from other suppers ?
1t was worth while to be there to see.
As you entered the door you found
Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. j. c. Holloway,
Mrs. Jno. Cover and Miss Nellie
Barber standing near the door as
committee perception. They were
dressed in white kids, motherly caps
and old fashioned dresses and were
so choice in speech that you must
have thought yourself in the ankee
land of the last century. Looking
about the walls of the lecture room,
which had been converted into a
New England kitchen, you beheld
hanging in festoons upon the walls,
strings of dried apples and dried
pumpkins Suspended by husk tags
we're large punches of select seed
corn, and conspicuously adjoining the
walls in various places were inverted
winter bouquets of catnip, sage,
pennyroyal and other herbs. In the
room was an old fashioned cradle
with an old fashioned baby in it.
Each lady in turn rocked the cradle
and played with the dimples in baby's
cheeks. Mrs. Jay Barber spun yarns
out of wooden rolls on an old fashion
ed spinning wheel, assisted by Mrs.
Mary Hyde. Hanging by window
was warming pan. Not many OF
the present generation have seen
this utensil. 1t is pan with a
handle to it like corn pepper. At
bed time on cold nights the custom
was to fill it with embers and rub it
over the bed under the covers until
the reposing nest was made comforta-
bly, warm. They will yet be restored
by old bachelors like the editor of
the Aduocdte. The members of the
string band were present with their
instruments and made good use Of
them. They refused compliments
ries-paying their way like other
guests. Miss Mary Barber sung
Scotch songs. The supper was the
great fun producer. The bill of fare
was advertised in the HERALD two
weeks ago. Boiled dish-what is
that? 1t is corned beef, potatoes
impaired, cabbage, beats, carrots or
any other vegetables, all boiled to-
gether and whole--except the beet.
1t is Yankee haggis. 1t is served on
large dishes, and as it is passed
around each guest cuts off a slice of
beet, turnip, cabbage or beef, in size
proportional to his appetite. The
table was waited upon by young
ladies in centennial dress. Choice
silks of exquisite figures were pre-
dominant. The kitchen and table
were lighted with candles. Shutters
were in frequent use. 1t was the
polite duty of the lady who sat
nearest a dim candle to snuff It,
Anticipated dishes were furnished by
Mistresses Malben, Goble and
Rosie. Quaint aud very funny styles
OF dress were worn by some of the
ladies. Mrs. DIR. Reed was queen
looking Irish woman. Her friends
could scarcely recognize her even
when taking snuff from her snuff
box. Old friends would shake hands
with Mrs. Mary Hyde and she would
Puritanically reprimand them for
their irresistible "snicker." Mrs.
Murpby's arms above the elbow
were as large as half bushels land
below the elbows tightly covered
mutton legged. Bunches of long
black curls protruded from under her
white cap down the sides of her face,
and earrings hung down to her
shoulders. We would have called
her pretty if we could have looked
with our grandfathers' eyes. Mrs.
Thode Burr how ridiculous Her
dress was of delaine, with large
punches of flowers on lavender
ground, made very short wasted and
gathered around the waist with a
draw string. Short punches of curls
stuck straight out from under her
lavender cap. There was to have
been a spelling match, and Mr..
Clementson tried to conduct it but
the spoilers could not spell and look
at Mrs. Burr at the same time. Mrs.
Jno. G. Clark, Mrs. Calls, Mrs.
Bennett and Mrs. Shrader were in
the fashions of our New England
grandmothers-with caps and large
white handkerchiefs folded over their
shoulders. Some of the gentlemen
were also in the gentlemen's style Of
that period. We have given the
New England supper considerable
space because it is sample of what
will be rage through the year.
The Milwaukee Monthly Magazine
for March is splendid number 1t
contains a charming sketch Of