The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-07-03
THE uUsKISG FROLIC.


New English husking frolic The
husking frolic at the South is a diff
ferent affair altogether. There, is q
congregation of negroes from the va
rious plantations near at hand, who,
while they work, make the air vocal
almost for miles around with their
rude melodies, o few of which have
been rendered familiar to ears polite
by the "Seren adersn who have so
highly amused the public during the
past two or three years. Bat, at the
North, the "husking," like the "quilt-
ing" draws together the gentle mai
dens and loving swains of neigh
borhood, who meet to enjoy them
selves in their own way. And such
enjoyment as they hsve,in kind and
degree, is not to be met with every
day. In former times the husking
was a wilder affair than at present.
Straight-laced conventionality is grad
ually finding its way beyond the city
limits, and binding the free spirits of
our country maidens. They meet
oftener with the "city folks" gradu-
ally falling more and more in.o their
habits as they psrtake more and
more Of their spirits; and, when
they assemble for enjoyment, they
check their movements, and hush al
most into silence tbe merry laughter
that seeks to leap forth like the sing
ing waters of the fountain. No;
"huskings" are not what they were
Instead of seeing on the thrashing
floor a troop of young men and
maideus, stripping from the bright
ears of grain their leafy coverings,
amid sweet voices, as of old, mere
"laborr comes in too often to per
form the services, and silently And |
coldly does its work. Yet, here and |
here a farmer, who cannot forget |
tie pleasant times when he was
Young, sends forth his annual sum-
mons after the maize harvest is gath
cred. and then comes merrv-msking |
for old and young that is enjoyed in
way never to be forgotte5
Old Ebpraim Bradley was man OF
this school If his head grew white
under the falling SHOWS of many |
winters, the grass was ever fresh and
green, and me flowers ever blooming
on his heart. With him, the annual
huskiug was never omitted. 1t was
like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
almost sacred thing, half involving
sin in the omission
Kate Mayaower, wild romp of a
girl from Boston-at least some in
the city regarded her as such-was
spending q few weeks in D,
when invitations came to attend q
husking party at Ephraim Bradley's.
The old man lived some three miles
from the village. Kate had heard
about husking parties, and her young
spirits leaped up when the announce
ment was made tfat one was to be-
held in the neighborhood, and that
she was invited TO be present. 1t
was frolic, that from all she had
heard, would just suit her tempera-
ment, to make one of the party in
the merriest possible mood.
Evening had closed in on the ar
rival of the party from D, who
quickly joined some score or two of
young people in the large kitchen,
where lay heaped up in the centre q
huge pile of Indian corn.
"All that to be husked 2" whisper
ed Kate, as she entered the room.
"Ob, yes; oil that and more, per-
haps," was the smiling reply. eve
have come to work, YOU know"
"Now, gals" said old Mr. Brad
ley, who stood looking on as the
young folks gathered, with bright
faces, around the golden grain, NOW
for a good old-fashioned time. IL
there are not half dozen weddings
between this and Christmas, | shall
say there is no virtue in red ears"
As he ceased, down dropped, amid
gay voices and laughter, the whole
company upon the floor. in all grace
'ul and ungraceful positions, in cir
lie around the pile of corn. Kate
alone remained standing, for the
was so sudden that she
could not act with IT,
Here's room for you, Kate" cried
me of the girls who had come with
ler, making place by her side f; aud
lown sank Kate, feeling, for the first
ime. O little awkward and confused
Beside her was stout, rough coun-
nv youth, whose fice was all merri-
nent, and whose eyes were dancing {
With anticipated pleasure. The city
yirl eyed his rough, brown hands, {
coarse garments, and unpublished face
With q slight feeling of repulsion,
md drew little from him toward !.
Ter friend. J
"Oh, plenty of room, miss! Plenty |,
# room," said he, turning broadly !
Iround, and addressing her with a
amiliar leer, "Thc tighter we ct in
he better. Lay the brands close, If
,ou want a good fre."
Kate could not help laughing at
his. As she laughed, he added:
"All free and easy here" He