National Republican., 1883-12-26
COUNTRY BELLIES AND BEAux.
An Evening Party in Rural New England
Thirty Years Ago.


Thirty Years Ago.
writer in the Newburyport (NIass.) Herald gives
the following lively description of phase of rural
social life thirty years ago When the evening
came the invited guests would puton their best
clothes and go TO the party. No matter how par
tial young gentleman was to any young lady, 1t
was seldom that he would call for her and be her
escort. So everyone got there the best way they
could but they were all there Aud then when
the parlor was full and the bashu boys were stand
ing IN corners or hanging around tue doorways,
while the girls would SIT in prlm rows ike prim-
roses then II was that the glver ofthe party MAS 10
show her genius in amusing her guests. There
were games in those days-3ames the very
ever enjoyed them. ''Juniper Tree" was a favor.
ite, and II must have been indigenous TO New
buryport, for nowhere else had ever seen this
tree SO hourishing or bearing such fruit. think
two lip tree would be u more appropriate name
than Juniper. The game comprised a ring formed
by all the guests standing up and taking hold of
hands, one taking his place in the center while
the others walk around him singing;
''Ladies and gentlemen join with me
And learn to play the juniper iree
You that are single now married must be,
And learn to play the Juniper tree.
Whichever way your minds are led.
Choose the one you wish TO wed.
The hnndSomest one that ever you see
Married unto her you must be-"
Ciere the company pause, while he in the
centre chooses girl 10 join him, then the singing
IS resumed)
And now you joined both heart and hand
Z, You must obey each others command,
You must obey, you must prove rue
So hug her lttle aud kiss her too.
The young gentleman would then kiss his
chosen aud join the ring, leaving her in the
centre TO make her selection, ! remember some
boys would interpret the last words "dnd kiss her
two,' aud SO get double share OF this deicacy
Those were the cheeky boys. Sometimes this
would be varied by another refrain;
Green grow the rushes, or
This was liked better, It being shorter and,
therefore bringing the kissing part around
quicker. Then there was the game OF "elnp
out" when all the girls would sit around the
room with each an empty chair I'm front OF hes
and the boys would 80 Into the entry and come in
one az time II ne sat down ~ tue chair o. mo
girl who chose him IL was all rlgRt he could stay
In, If wrong, he was "clupped out" Copenhagen
was popular game; the family clQthesline was
brought in and the fun began. This was rough
wasted on back hair. Then the dancing
was introduced and cotilllon,, as they were
called in those days. were formed. Contra
aanses H yece Wcorv also popular ana we n@9
''NIoney Musk, Spanish Daneo,' &c, some one
OF the young ladies would play the plauo sol,
dier's Joy,' Buy Broom sailors HOrnplpe'
aud other well-known airs, while one OF the boys
would call the figures, Bill w. was good ore for
this as he kept things lively by frequeut repeti'
tions Of "all hands round "all promenade"
Finally, refreshments were announced. and the
bolder boys would pick out their best girls aud
march TO the supper room. Tho Gates were very
simple In those days; Ice cream was seldom on the
table but cake, candies, tarts nuts, and raisins,
wine Jelly, and cold water, Some Of the candles
were in bon-bon shape, win pull orQekeTs TO
Biarle the company; lhon we had cookies, with
p.ued slips OF paper in them, declaring undying
IL Ia q couplel something AFTER this faHhion;
Whatever other girls may be,
My Lucy Is the girl for me.
aone Of these rhymes were construed into
leiS