Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-04-23

danger To the riders and their
horses, was nothing to this race for
the bottle. The start was announced
by an Indian yell, when logs, brush,
mud holes, bill and glen, were
speedily passed by the rival ponies.
The bottle was always filled for the
occasion, so that there was no use
for judges for the first who reach
cd the door was presented with the
/ prize, with which he returned in
triumph to the company. On APP
/ preaching them he announced his
victory over his rival by shrill
whOop. At the head Of the troop
he gave the bottle to the groom
and his attendants, and then to
each pair in succession, to the rear
of the line, giving each dram (;
and then putting the bottle in the
bosom Of his hunting shirt, took his
station in the company.
The ceremony or the marriage
preceded the dinner, which was q
substantial backwOods feast of
beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes
venisOn and bear meat, roasted and
boiled, with plenty of potatoes,
cabbage and other vegetables.
During the dinner the greatest
hllarity always prevailed, although
the table might be large slab Of
timber, hewed out with broad
axe, supported by four sticks set in
auger holes, and the furniture some
old pewter dishes and plates, the
rest wooden bowls and trenchers.
a few pewter spoons, much batter
ed about the edges, were to be seen
at some tables f; the rest we're made
of horns. If knives were scarce,
the deficiency was made up by
the scalping knives, which were
carried in sheaths suspended to the
belt Of the hunting shirt.
After dinner the dancing COM
menced, and generally lasted until
the next morning. The figures of
the dance were three and four hand
ed reels, or square sets and iigs.
The commencement was always a
square four, which was followed by
what was called jigglng it of, that
is, two of the four would single out
a jig, and were followed by the
remaining couple. The jigs were
often accompanied with what was
called cutting out, that is, when
any of the parties became tired of
the dance, on intimatiOn, the place
was supplied by some Ot the com
pany, without any interruption of
the dance in this way a dance
was often continued till the must
clan was heartily tired of his situa-
ton. Toward the latter part Of the
night, if any Of the company
through WEAKNESS attempted to
conceal themselves for the purpose
OF sleeping, they were hunted up,
paraded on the floor, and the 6d-
der ordered to play chang out till |
morning.
About nine or ten o'clock a
deputation of young iladies stole
off the bride and put her to bed.
In doing this it frequently happen
ed that they had to ascenda ladder
instead Of pair of stairs, leading
from the dining and ball room TO
the loft, the floor Of which was
made OF clapboards lying loose
and without nails. This ascent
one might think would put the
bride and her attendants to the
blush but as the foot of the lad
der was commonly behind the door,
which was purpose)y open for the
occasion, and its rounds at the in
ner ends were well hung with hunt
ing shirts, pstticoats and other
Of clothing, the candles be-
ing on the opposite side of the
house, the exit of the bride was
noticed but by a few. This done,
a deputation of young men in like
manner stole off the groom and
placed him snugly by the side of
his bride. The dance still cOntin-
ned, and if seats happened to be
scarce, which was often the case,
every young man when not engaged
in the dance was obliged to offer
his lap as a seat for one of the
girls, and the offer was sure to be
accepted. In the midst Of this
the bride and groom were
not forgotten. Pretty late in the
night some one would remind the
company that the new couple must
stand in need of some refreshment;
Black Betty, which was the name
of the bottle, was called for and
sent up the ladder. Butsometlmes
Black Betty did not go alons. |
have many times seen as much
bread, beef, pork and cabbage,
sent along with her, as would afford
a good meal for halfa dozen of
hungry men. The young couple
were compelled to eat more or less
of whatever was offered them.
In the course Of the festivity, if
any wanted to help himself to q