American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-07-17

The Fish-Fry at the Cut-OH-
Early Friday morning (9th inst.)
il +, quired no extra foresight to see
that something unusual was to be
the order of the day. COnveyances
Of al kinds, from the ice-cream
cart to the gay livery turnout, could
be seen dashing around. Old folks
aud young folks, all dressed up,
seemed bent on going somewhere.
Being solicitOus to know the trne
state of affairs, I made inquiry and
the reply | received was, ''Dnnt
you know there's TO be big tish-
fry at the CUTOFF Why man, amt
you going p" Well, without saying
any more about it. 1 did go.
The morning was pleasant, the
roads good, and as we trotted along
gaily chatting with the pleasant
company we had, 1 could but notice
and admire the healthy looks and
prosperous condition of our county.
Such crops of cotton and corn haye,
not been seen for years. doubt,
in fact, If prospects were ever much
better. Talk of Madison County
lands being worn Out2 Why you
are crazy. All that has been need-
ed was a little extra exertiOn of the
bone and sinew to make the lauds
yield las in Oldcn times. THIS is now
being brought ABOUT by the happy
state OF affairs that exists IN our
county. Political strife is gradually
dying ont; while meat aud bread:
Ieace and quiet is taking its place.
As we rode along and spoke TO the
freedmen, :. they seemed proud Of
their crops, and would answer cheer
fully of their prospects,. Though
the crops along the road were as
good as could be desired. the lnva-
riabIe answer as to their fattering
prospects, was, "Well, boss, this
along here is pretty good, but you
jess aughter see my crap back next
to the woods. 1t can't be beat sir |;
I'm sure to come out all right this
year" Being an old planter, and
having always since the freedom of
the colored people felt a deep inter-
eat in their welfare, l now rejoice
as much in their prosperity as they
do. Next fall I hope to hear every
freedman in our county say that he
is ont Oh debt.
Well, enough of crops, a. we are
getting nearer to the Cut OF, aud
the excitement of The crowd increas
ca. Everybody wants to get there /;
young bl0ods who have been saving
their teams for the last quarter
frn fntn 81, hv nd - a
with their Carolines. looking "oh ,
80 happy" Well, believe every
body got there safe. When / say
everybody, it must be SO, for it look
ed to me as if every body was there
when 1 racked in, and they still
kept coming. 1t did ones heart
good tai see the pleasant faces and
witness the social good feeling that
pervade.l the crown. Fun and frO'ic
was the order of the day, and well
was it carried out. Hardly had the
crowd settled, before the "Sweet
Fiddler of Pearl" took his place, aud
by the time he had given 4 few soul
stirring notes, q set WAS formed, and
the pleasures of the day began. As
l looked on it carried me back to
old times, when dancing was danes
lng-nOne OF your little mincing city
"step and fetch-it quick steps," but
right down to your work like pnt>
ting out fire. Now Mr.. Editor, the
way that fiddler worked that how,
and scraped sweet music from those
feline iutestines, aud the way the
young folks did enjoy it and make
the dust fly, was a pleasure to be>
hold. After act or two the old
folks wanted to hear some talking.
Our popular and talented young
friend. RObt. Smith. was called up
on to do the talking. He promptly
answered the call, and made a very
happy effort, one suited for the Oc-s
casiOn. He avoided making any al
fusion to his being u candidate for
the vacant chair III the State Sem
ate ; but Bob knows he is safe for it,
and when the time comes will have
nothing to do but brush his brooches
and set down in it.
Now, Mr.. Editor, all this did very
we'll, but what kept this writer
steady and quiet, was the first thing
he eyed on the ground after hitch-
ing his horae. What do you reckon
it was? Why table about $50
feet long. ] couldn't keep my eyes
off of it. Being an old soldier, l
knew, let come what would. there
was to be the battle ground of the
day; there the heavy fighting would
take place. SO kept cool. declare
l didn't go to the spring for branch
,oater but once. ielt the RESPONSE.
bility devolving upon me, SO 1
around, kept quiet and
held my reserved forces back for the
final conflict. We did not have to
wait Tong; aboRtf L o'clock you
could discover that there was stir
among the eOipaianders. They be-
gan to run up and down the line,
(table) skirmishers we're thrown
out, boxes and baskets filed with
good things were gloriOnsly b. ought
in and spread on that long table for
the final contest. When all was
ready, the order was given, aud
never did | see more gallant
aud never did I see . more
inviting tortificati0n to charge. Ev-
cry thing was there, nicc and good,
to urge the old veterans on to the
fight, and Justify did they lay OH,
DAY in I meant Fried fish, barbe.
cued pig, kid and lamb disappeared