The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-08-26
The "Cajuns."

Commissioner Harris, of Louisiana,
showed several pieces of homespun
cotton goods which ho says were made
ny the "Cajuns." "Who are thsy?"
asked. Tho word, he replied Is a
corruption of Arcadians, and is AZ blicd
to the descendants of those ptoplo
whose settlement in Louisiana WIZ inn
mortalizcd in Longfcllow's "E,hnge-
line. Then, turning to the NIP. he
showed me where the "Cajuns'I live.
and gave an account of their homes
and their simplicity of life. In plain
words he verified the words of Basil,
the blacksmith, rs to the beauty of tho
country and fertility of the soil land the
ease in which they lived. 9hcy arc
almost like tho ''lilics of the jicld' in
their freedom from toll. In n little
patch around their houses tlIcy cult
Tate what cotton they need for their
wearing apparel and such vegetables as
they use.
When the spring rains cease they go
out upon the 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 rice, 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 havo no further caro-
for thcir crop until tho harvest time
comes. Should drought prevail in
spring thoy then scatter the seed upon
the dry ground. To prevent tho birds
of the air from dcvouring it, the
"Cajun" looks out ovor tho prairie
where his herds are, and riding to tho
nearest he drives the cattle back and
forth over the seed until it has beon
troddon into the soil.
Then putting up tho light fonce
around his rice plantation he goes homo
satisfied. In July his crop is ready for
harvesting. For this he uses sickle,
tossing the shcavcs rs they fall into his
cart. This is Il cumbrous affair of wood,
even to tho wheels and nxlcs. No iron
Is used in its construction. The oxen
are not yokcd, put the tongue is made
fast to loops fastened to their horns.
The shcaYes arc spread out upon the
prairie and tho grain is trampled out
by tho oxen, rs it used to DO when the
cdict went forth: Thou shalt not muz-
zlc the OK that trcadcth out tho corn. 4"
The grain is swept together, sacked
carted home, and cmpticd into II bin.
When any is needed for meal tho
housewife takes Sulliciency, puts it
into Il wooden handmill of simple con-
struction, rubs of tho hulls in few
minutes, winnows it in sieve, and
soon has it cooking
The commissioner showed on Il map
place where, forsix miles, the chief
crop of tho "Cajuns" is gathered from
the orange trees. In selling this crop
a singular custom prevails. When the
trees are blooming. buyer, the
"diego" (why SO called no one seems
to know appears among them. After
week of conference, during which ho
and thoy have had repeated whiting
matches, bargain is struck for the
seasons crop, onc-half is paid down in
cash and security given for the balance,
and then the "Cajuns" enjoy their
dolce far niente with from 81. 800 to
$4,000 in hand for every head of tho
family. and as much more secured for
the fnturc. Basil. the blacksmith, did
not err whom he told Evangcline of the
wealth of these teeming lowlands. =
NeU HaUen Patlddium.