The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-15
4 HARvEsr FESTIVAL IN monAv1A.
Making Merry hut Once n Year-Sir0nge
Houses, Dresses, and Dances.

HRusovANY, Sept. 17.--This little Slavic vii
lage in Moravia has. during the past week. been
tho scenc Of busy activity All tho low white
houses. with their high gabled red-tiled
roofs and blue stripes at base. which extend In
an unbroken row along the one endless street
of the village. underwent thorough cleaning
and whitewashing inside and out; every crow
leo was patched. the white pine floors neatly
scrubbed. windows washed. feather beds ard
rillows freshly covered. windows and doors
p, 'nted, muslin curtains done up and daintily
hunc-n.o ID all this In anticipation of the har-
vest fcstiya, .Virtag. or Church day
This Ia exclus,, 'ly country fe stlval tho
greatest in tn, ycar an celebrates the ami
versary of tho patron saih. OF inc village
church. II lasts throc days bcgin.- VIZ On BUN
day and always falls in tho season OF ,'ohty.
when the grain Is gathered In from tho nciu-'
tho thrcshing In progress. and the money
tumblng in. 1t Is the occasion Of general hos
pitality when relatives and friends from the
neighboring villages make their annual call.
forgetting ali old feuds in the hour of univor-
sal peacemakinR.
The villagers arc very jealous Of tho fair
fame OF their native spot and 1t is tho height
Of each wonnn'a ambition to establish her rep
utation rs thrifty and skilful housewife, tho
men me taking no less pride in the dextcrity OF
The day before the festival there Is tho great.
est hustle, The finishing touches must be, put
fore tho houses. tho blue stripes perfected, and
touch OF color added here and thore. From
the village @S n sS
OF buns. tho national cake which they mako
themselves. I'll with poriH. coarse, black jam
from rlums, and have baked at the bakers-for
III Hs worry thu pabs Y Sana asr ins
for, the ma;ja or May pole. Here ali the boys
collect and jump and push each other hclter-
at me Ths oys % must py
nursemuds. and have baby fastened to their
%sd by about of IN MS hn sa nne
snugly sits. are often tempted to jump in with
the rest, but there is always II little wight of
desire; Then the boys shout. let us put the
girls in!' Ind there is a general stampede
In the afternoon the dwaricd gooseherd. with
MS barelooted daughter. g1es from door to
int" fnV w HrRE a ' bsS or w op
Many an eye anxiously searches for what the
weather will be tomorrow. for the heavens are
threatening the air moist. and the rain. prayed
md waited for all spring, and summer, has of
cause the small brook behind he village houses
to overflow It's ennks; and has Jriyyen the itte
dering wiIlow-shadcd pasture.
Bm, Snndsy at Inst s , arryrs ana brings rn,
day m br The e ssy sr an the
boards. the white clouds more dazzling than
tho house fronts. and the atmosphere, kissed
by the tall May pole. deckcd in scarlet ribbons
and spotless white pendant. purer than all the
village cleanliness.
Tho clean shaven men, in their short jackets.
felt hats. and trousers all of the blacklist black.
go to the next village to hear tho morning mass
for Hrusovany boasts but tiny chapel planted
right in the middle Of the street. looking like "a
remaining tower Of church which Il Just sink
ing under ground. Inc women who usually
morning closely imprisoned in their Kitchens.
preparlng the great repnst OF thc year
Nan ri nd ore ha hplA nGf .nl ia
the dance which is kept up three consecutive
afternoons and evenings, the evening invari
ably leDgthening into night
The arrangements for the dance are prepared
with great formalities. for the peasants, often
an argument, and not seldom driving it in with
the aid of their strong hand or stout stick. arc
nevertheless very rigorous in the observance OF
The organizer and leader of the dance. is
chosen BY the vote of the lads in an assembly
milan the s'arci literaiy older lad, and was
in former times the oldest lad OF the village,
yoSns in ali matters Of isstvity, Just as the
alderman. or " oldermunn. controlled the moro
ssossn chs idr his social
moral. strongest. handsomest. richest. &C.. is
preferred, on the same principle AZ kings were
and still are elected. with the exception that
purity OF morals forms the one essential to his
choice. though beautyand riches often throw the
chaste. or who has been publicly punis shed can
not ofiiciate. In some parts he is elected for
tHTee yeitTS, anu II he muTTy IN tne interim, no
has tho privilege OF appointing his successor
for the remainder OF his term. Formerly he
Waf called on to prove his worth by tests Of
decked out in gay ribbons and lot loose on tho
green. and the strcs obliged 70 catch him and
was feiled which he waS obliged to carry on
his shoulder. II he succeeded in these feats
his term of office wa prolonged for another
three years without casting the ballot.
lie chooses two assistant masters Of cero-
mnT Mso ana s SnIh ' Of s Irs re-
stnrfd or ohitTidSSie with whom he opens the
hs Of the cd ape tb IN" en- an
gagement. payment. and hospitable entertain
ment o tho musicians.
before, this hour tho smallest girls, four. five.
and six,year Odds in their holiday attire-.n
starched. aud supported 10y many petticoats a
quaintly, fitting black BASQUE. and a bright
IT," May POLE, where booths. Of trinkrts. pears.
as well as their Unsuitable appctitcs
An excellent brass band OF ak pieces has
been provided from the neishbooring town. the
with genuine hospitality caro- Tor their physi-
cal comfort. Shortly before they start from
spiriting national march which makes every
heart in the village tinge. and causes tha las
Ss nierS to t y IN adjusting rnes ana bnhds
house. under primitive arbor OF fresh. green
boughs.
tune, with twig Of rosemary fastened to their
little black felt hats by means of u crimson rib
bon. Tho first holds in his hand a glass flask
of wine the neck OF which is ornamented with
II gay ribbon Of the same color. He has proyii-
ed several kegs Of wine 10 replonish his flask.
He drinks first then passes ii 10 his comrades
and the musicians.
People have begun to gather about the dance
plot and precisely at the lads bockon with
their fingers in different directions. whereupon
tho three stdrkds with domuro and digniilcd
gait, modestly looking down. II twig Of sweet
rosemary tied with crimson ribbon in hand.
advance toward them from behind the crowd,
lively walk IL struck up and the dance open
ed the first starGk with his partner beginning
and being followed by tho other two couples.
They keep their long thin cigars in their
mouths while dancing; II peasant lad who IL
not able to skilfully handle his cigar while
dancing is scorncd. These three couples alone
participate in tho first dance. and when il is
ended, the stdrck passes his festive bottle to
each OF the girls, who each in turn, take swa-
low. Now many lads in black flock to the spot
and are welcomed wi tn tho bottle, The girls
begin to arrive in little squads and form n wide
gay circle about the pole, When the music bo-
gins. tho lads. standing in the centre. beckOn
from distance to the girls they wish for part
ners. and these. never mstaking which il
meant advance to meet them. After the dance
the girls fall 10 one side or link arms. the lads
TO the other and the little girls, VINO in groups
of four have been joining hands and dancing in
81. lao too N