The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-02-03
THE HUSKING BEE.
BY JOE RANSOME.

"Thar am goin' ter be er grand
huskin' bee over at Elder Browns ter
morrer night, and 1 am sent ter give yer
notice, and want yer ter tell all ther gals
and boys and have them tell thar folks,
and be sartin ter have them come"
shouted a great, lubberly, shOck-headed
boy, without regard to pronunciation or
grammar. And he reined in at the same
time halfbroken colt in front of the
old, red school-house door, to the Won
dering admiration of all the smaller
scholars.
"Well, Charles" smilingly replied
pretty Bertha Baker, the teacher Of the
autumn term, 81 will do as you wish,
though l do not think there can be much
necessity for it after the forcible manner
in which you have already made the an
nouncement."
"Dad told me ter be sartin and let you
know on it. It's goin' ter be er high old
time. All ther folks fer miles are ex-
pected ter be thar; and thar'll be oceans
of cider, and pumkin pies, and sweet
cake, with red sugar on top, and-and a
fiddler"
This last item was the crowning glory
in his opinion. 1t was so wonderful
that it nearly took away what little
breath remained after the severe jolting
he had received, and his excitement was
Joined in by all but the teacher, until
he again dashed away-the hero of the
hour.
Dad" was Elder Brown, a rich, un-
educated farmer, who certainly had not
a soul above pigs, judging from the num-
Der and manner in which he reared them
in close proximity to his house. He
"didn't believe much in education, for
schoolin' spilled folks for work." He
raised his family very much after the
same fashion as he did his swine. and
conducted all gatherings at his house in
the "loudest" possible manner. Still
there was always "a great time,'" and re-
finement (from the lack of it) was but
little missed by the majority. All stood
upon the same footing, and any one VIII }
did not enter heartily into the rude plays
was voted stuck up" and to be "put-
ting on airs"
In this category, despite all her efforts
at conciliation, was Bertha Baker. She
had been born in the neighborhood, but
sent away to school," and education
and natural and cultivated refinement
caused her to shudder when she thought
of the promiscuous hugging and kissing
and the broad jests that were considered
the spice of such entertainments as the
one to which she had just now been in
vited.
"You look uncommonly tired" said
her mother the next evening, as she re-
turned home and hung up her dainty
and methodical manner.
+" am, mother dear; but I should not
think of it in the least, if / was not
obliged to 60 to that miserable husking
bee at Elder Browns. All the hoyden
girls and great bears of boys will be
there"
"It isn't pleasant, certainly. Yet it
is duty we owe to the society in which
we live; and, situated as we are, you
could not very well refuse that invita-.
tion."
"No, that wouldn't do at all. But
/ am not afraid my Bert will do any
thing rude or unladylike. Besides, your
presence will be something of a check
upon the boisterous sports" said her
father, as he looked proudly and fondly
at his one child.
The question being thus settled, the
mother and daughter began the neces-
sary preparations for adornment. In
that respect cher father being store
keeper) Bertha was the envy of all the
girls, though she ever dressed with ex.
treme modesty, simplicity and taste,
where the others would have loaded
themselves down with finery and ribbons
in endless quantities and of the most
gorgeous hues.
Bertha's father took her TO the house
of the elder, left her, and promised ia
call and take her home at a easonable
hour. She was met and welcomed with
great impressment by Kate Brown, q
great broad. .shouldered, red-faced, red.
armed, loud-talking and loud-laughing
girl, who, TO use her own expression, was
dressed TO kill and trunk empty, and
looked like an infuriated bed Of petunias
in full bloom. Bertha was clad in sim.
pie white without single ornament
save n late rose she had found and
placed in the dark, luxuriant and glossy
hair. &: -
"Oh, I'm ever so glad you have
come w shouted Kate. 1--WE are going
TO have such a timel Dad has spent
lots of money, tell you," and she led
Bertha To a room where she could lay