The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1885-09-03
Tho "Cu.juns."

Commissioner Harris, Of Louisiana,
showed several pieces of homespun
cotton goods which he says were mado
by tho "Caiuns." "Who are thcyP"
/ asked. The word, he replied. Is o
corruption of ofArcadians, and is applied
to tho descendants OF thoso people
whose settlement in Louisiana was i'm
mortalizod in Longfellow's "Evungc-
line" Then, turning TO tho. map, no
showed me whcro tho "Cajuns" live,
and gave an account. OF their homes
and their simplicity Of life. In plain
words ho verified the words of Basil,
the blacksmith, as to the beauty Of tho
country and fertility of tho soil and the
easo in which they lived. They are
almost like tho "lilios of the field" in
their freedom from toll. In little
patch around their houses they culti-
vate what cotton they need for thor
wearing apparel and such vegetables as
they use. :" az I ~
When the spring rains cease they go
out uponltho prairie and examine the
depressions, from one to five acres in
extent, which are then ponds of water,
and If found to be not moro than cigh-
teen inches deep they prepare to sow
their rico. First they Soak their seed
thoroughly then scatter it broadcast
over tho pond from the backs of horses.
The weight Of the soaked rice causes it
to sink, and they have no further care
for their crop until tho harvest time
comes. Should y drought prevail in
spring they then scatter the seed upon
the dry ground. 70 prevent the birds
of tho air from dovouring it. tho
"Cajun'. looks out over tho prairie
where his herds are, ami riding to the
nearest he drives tho cattle back and
forth oror the seed until it has boon
trodden into the soil.
Then putting up the light fcnco
around his rice plantation he goes homo
satisfied. In July his crop is ready for
harvesting. For this he uses Il sickle,
tossing the sheavos as they fail into his
cart. This is 4 cumbrouS affair OF wood,
even to the wheels and axics. No iron
is used i'll its construction. The oxen
arc not yokcd, but the tongue is .mado
fast to loops fastened 10 thoir horns.
leo shcaVcS arc spread out upon the
prairie and tho grain is tramplcd out
by the oxen, rs it used TO be when the
edict went forth: r".TholI shalt not muz-
zlo the OK that trcadcth out the corn. :"
The grain is swept together, sacked,
Caited nome, ana omptlcu into 4 bin.
When any is needed for Il meal the
housewife takes suilicicrcy. puts il
into wooden handmill of simple con-
struction, rubs of the huls in a few
minutes, wiunows it in Il sieve. and
soon has it cooking.
Tho commissioner showed on q map
place whore, forsiX miles, the chief
crop of tho "Cajuns" is gathered from
The orange trees. In selling this crop
singular custom prevails. When the
trees arc blooming, buyer, tho
diego" (why so called no one seems
to know appears among them. After
week of conference, during which he
and they have mad repeated whiting
matches, a bargain is struck for the
seasons crop, onc-half is paid down in
cash and security given for tho balance,
and then the "CAjunSn enjoy their
dolce far nicntc with from $i,5OO TO
81, 900 i'll hand for every head of tho
family, and as much moro secured for
the 1nturc. Basil, the blacksmith, did
not err when he told Evangolinc of the
wealth of those tccming lowlands.
NCIO UQUG1I PaIiutiiltln.