Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-06
A COUNTRY AUCTION.
A Public Sale OF Stock and House.
hold Goods.
4 Gathering OF Old Men and Youn9s
Natrons, Maidens and Small
Boys--.Tho Auctioneer
and uiS Bidders.
NEW York TimeA1

and nis Bidders.
New York Timeal
A form Of excitement that exceeds In b
tensity even the wild dissipation Of the circus,
In the farming communities Of the eastern
and central states Is the periodical "ano-
ton sale, which occurs whenever some out
of-luck husbandnan decides to sell out and
go west. or Is forced by any circumstance r.
dispose of his farm stock or household goods.
The sale is advertised by posters far and
wide, the farmer occasionally startling the
village printer by an order of sometimes a.
many as fifty or even 100 bills, and who has
ever driven through the country in the idle
Seasons without noticing the posters with
ITO be sold at Public Auction" in wonder
fully big letters over wood-cut, usually rep
resehting groom vainly attempting to euro
the spirits OF rampant bolse, with
dyspeptic COW, a consumptive sheep. for
lorn pig, and several destitute chickens IN
the background. These bills the farmer
posts In all the public places in his own and
the nearest adjacent towns One goes to
each postoffice; one to the school house door;
to the blacksmith's shop two arc allotted, one
for each door and one to be hung inside; one
goes to the tavern and wayside saloon; they
ore posted on tho pillars Of the various
bridges and on tho moro conspicuous trees
and barns along the country highways. And,
from the time Of the first auction down to
tho present, no farmer has been known to
pass a new bill without reading it, and great
is the sensation he causes when he brings the
news to his women folks" These sales, for
the convenience Of all concerned, usually oc-
cur after harvesting time in the fall or early
wintor, and are attended by young and old
Of both sexes from all the country round.
The pilgrim CHANGED upon Que Of these inter
esting events, one day last week, neara sleepy
little village that slumbcrs among the New
jersey hills within afty miles Of this city.
The salo took place from a little old-fashioned
white house with several verandas, that
stood in grove Of gorgeously colored ma
pies on pretty rural road. People get up to
breakfast In tho country, and tho sale began
early. Before morning had fairly begun tho
farmers began to drive up with their wives
and families from miles away, and before
noon the fences on both sides Of the road
were hne,i with all kinds Of horses attached
to all kinds OF vehicles, and crowd OF men
and women, children and babies, was gathered
about tho auct;oneer or strolling through
the house and barn inspecting and crit
icising and seeking enjoyment generally.
The men and tho bigger boys soon got
together in the barn. yard and discussed
the merits or demerits of the stock; the
women pulled over tho bedding offered for
sale or examined the carpets, stoves and fur.
niture; the girls began to coqustte with the
smaller boys until their eldors should turn
from the fascinations of the stock yard, and
the children romped about in evsryboiy's
way, and made nuisances Of their dear little
selves, as they do everywhere
The auctioneer, OF course, was the most i'm
poptant person on the grounds. and he was
treated with due Difference and respect by
everybody and was fairly worshiped by tho
small boys, who formed a TOW outside Of the
circle OF bidders and admired from afar.
How the sturdy little fellows shrieked at his
iokes, and how they marveled at his large
experience and vast wisdom when he in
formed Deacon Closefist that the horse collar
wns tho best bargain at that price he'd ever
seen made at any ''vnndoo" In the state.
Not one Of those small boys has given
over yet the ambition to be an anctioneer
when he grows up. Next to tho auctioneer
in importance was the assistant, who
shone with reflected glory. He carried an
immense note book, and put down the names
Of the buyers with an air Of awful profund-
ity, aud he only it WAS who dared interrupt
the deity's flight Of rhetoric to ask what that
there last hoe fetched. Tho small boys stood
ashast at his a,,dacity. Another important
parsonage in the eyes Of the small boys was
the long legged youth who led the horses out
and put them through their PAGES ON the
roadway, and who pointed out some OF the
animals good points, and even ventured to
address the autionccr with familiarity. The
small boys had previously considered him a
commonplace big brother OF one Of their
number, but thers was gulf between them
now, and they would not be at all surprised
after this if he should 60 t. work in Paterson
or some other great far. away city, and come
back wealthy and buy out the village store,
or even become horse jockey.
A group OF farmers who did the bidding re-
sembled the members of that laborious call
ing who may he seen any day about the city
markets or cattle yards. The farmer il al
legged to be the one independent and happy
man in tliis universe, and yet group OF
farmers is picture Of cada vcrous, tired. and
discouraged men, who accept tho primeval
curse and whose appearance leads one to be-
leve that they have long since despaired of
anything save labor and wearincSs on this
side Of the grave. This gathering presented
the usual features Of toll and care, with one
or two exceptions, that typified the farmer Of
pastoraI--stout hale, and hearty old fellows
with rudjy checks and good digestiona
They were most OF thcm attired in their Sun
day clothes, and the collection Of ancient silk
hats would have doue credit to St Patrick'x
day procession. They couvelsed concerning
the probable state OF the weather and when
snow enough might be expected for got
ting out lumber; or discussed Farmer
Smiths oat crop or the price Farmer Jones
got for his wool. Tho farmers were tho
aristocrats Of the gathering, but thcy received
their "hirod men," who, OF course could not
bc kept at home from an auction, on terms OF
equality, and accepted the numerous negroes
and few Indians who had likewise bee,
drawn to the sale, on the same social level
The auction and the bidding leveed all ranks
In the afternoon tho household goods were
dis, osed OF, and it became the ladies' turn tn
do the bidding Then the ouctoneer was in
his glory, and he showered compliments upon
bis fair audience, al nauseam, to all but
themselves. For instance:
"How much am offered for this table?s
cried the gentleman of the hammer. IA
walnut extension table! Ten lcav.sl Good
as newt"
"Do you warrant it to be walnutf ventured
pretty young housewife.
"Yes, ma'am," promptly and gallantly re
piled the auctioneer. land I'll warrant you
can xit as good q meal Of vittles As any body
wants to eat of it," lAdmiring applause and
bushes of pretty housewife,
An interesting and somewhat pathetic in
cident occurred over the sale Of queer old
bureau. The article was knocked down:
"Gone! at IS, to Mr. Barton!'
"Here!" cried wolnan's voice sharply.