The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-02-15
AN oLD-TIME HUsKING BEE.

Well, here we are, in the big. fragrant barn,
with the forty lads and lasses. There has been
a clean sweeping between the mows, and the
floor is as neat as the d, cS of a man-of-war. 1t
is o'clock of a November eveni1g-sharp with
ont, to be sure, and bit frosty within, but
what care We, with our coats and caps and
shawls and mittens on. A gnodly number of
lanterns have been hung from the beams, and
over the doors, and on a wire stretched between
the mows. and it is light enough to see the red
corn peeping through the eured edges of the
husks, as they lie eurled up in great heap mid
way of the foor-light enough to see the glow
of health on the cheeks Of the boys and girls,
aud to reveal the traces of the paint pot and
the burnt match and powder rag. if there were
any there. The good man of the-barn, and
his buxom dame, 20 about shaking hands with
the Young people, and asking after the folks, T"
and when their 'huskin' is comm Off" and how
many cows they are milking, and so forth, with
ont once troubling their heads about "intro-
ducing" their guests, or seeing that they are
''paired off," which is a spontaneous process
in country gatherings, and always happens of
itself. Later in the evening, it is expected
that more of the ''old folks will drop in, just
to see how the husking comes out. and to sam
pie some of the good cheer. Their days Of
gratuitous activity have long since passed, but
they ''do love to see the young folks enjoy them
selves in the profitable combination of business
and pleasure.
When the guests have arrived, the boys 60 TO
NOW, which they spread around the heap of
corn. Then each seats himself by his favOrte
girl, draws a bundle of husks into the hay be-
tween them, aud the husking begins. Work is
by no means suffered, however, to interfere with
play. The merry jokes go round; the stolen
mitten travels about the circle and back to its
owner at last. II girl happens to pull the
husk from dark red ear, she must forfeit a kiss
to the lad who is nearest or quickest to snatch
it, As fast AS the ears are removed from the
husks they are thrown into two separate piles
one for each party, on opposite sides OF the
heap and there is sure to be a deal of pleasant
rivalry TO see which side will have the largest
heap of corn when the husking is done. 1t is
wonderful 10 see how fast the mountain of I'M
husked corn is lowered, though the farmer and
his boys keep bringing fresh basketfuls and
piling them on the heap. A perfect storm Of
golden ears keeps raining ON each pile of corn.
As the supply of material fails, the contest
wakes warmer The girls throw off their hoods
and shawls, and the boys fling aside their over
coats The warm blood of health rushes to each
cheek and the faster the hands fly the brighter
do the faces grow, and the last few ears are
scrambled for by the contending sides, and with
shouts of merriment the husking is finished.
The victorious side is first served with re-
| Treatments Great platefuls of doughuuts and
CRITTERS and slices of snowy cake, pies cut
IN generous pieces cider and apples, nuts and
home made candy, are passed around. The ''old
| folks come stamping in by twos and threes,
aud are Immediately assaulted with conflicting
stories of individual prowess and associate
| achievement, and then stuffed with good things,
to stop their laughing. By 11:3O O'Clock the
| festivities are over and the merry company dis
perses, two by two. The farmer takes down
the lanterns closes the big barn, and retires TO
the kitchen to smoke his pipe. and calculate
! how many bushels of corn he will have when Il
1 is ''otf the ear.--Troy Tnos.