The Osceola times., 1886-04-24
THE DAYS OF LONG AGO.
Going Home from Church with II.
Girls in the OIden Time.


Girls in the Olden Time.
In these days of social system, we
scarcely ever see some of the acts that x
characterized old time courting. Nova
fellow goes to see his girl in way then
regarded as very cowardly-visits hera \
her residence and takes her to church
leaving no sense of uncertainty as to
who will take her home.
In the good old days, we all took our
chances, and nobody was so base as TO
try to forestall the natural course Of +
events by rendering competition impoe
sible on account Of monopolizing the
best girl. The boys were generous, and
gave each other chance.
We always sat on the rear benches at
church, and when the doxology had been
sung and the benediction pronounced, We
slid out" This is the latin for going
outside and ranging ourselves in row
Just leyond the door ana on either side
of the walk leading from it. When the
1
girls came out one at time, we watched
our chances and asked the momentou
question: "Can | see you home to
night?" so low nobody could hear it, and
then walked off with her as proudly
if we had conquered a nation-unles
we got "the mitten," sometimes called
''the sack for short.
A good looking girl often sacked" as
many as a dozen of us before she got
through with the exercises of the even
ing. The less desirable girls came out
first, and as all of us were bent upon car.
rying OFF the prize beauty, were permit.
ted to depart for home un.nolested
Some of them occasionally looked out Of
the corners of their eyes at US, as much
as to say, "Molest me if you want to-
but we suffered them to depart in peace
When the belle of the evening came 10
the door, there was a general sigh out.
side, and those nearest her all rendered
her their arms. She would cast her
eagle eye over the calf-pasture and pick
out the one who held highest favor ia
her eyes, and take his arm al d lean loy.
iDgly upon 1t while the other boys found
themselves alone IN the silent darkness
with no more girls to ask and to go home
with or make then, afraid. Slowly and
sadly we took up our weary burdens and
meandered toward home, striv.
ing to think of some charm that would
enable us to overthrow our successful
rival.
When the next Sunday evening was
on, we repeated the performance, which
only varied from what it had been be-
fore In the fact that the successful fellow
on the one occasion was liable to get len
on the other. well remember time
when | was sacked" it made me love
the girl worse than did before, so on
the following Sunday evening, | stood
right by the side of the fellow whose
chances thought best, and began my
question IN unison with his. When she
|said yes" rendered my arm with great
promptness and sue accepted it thinking
1t was the arm of the other fellow, and
he thought he Sas sacked" and went
home alone, while | who had been
sacked" accompanied the girl and
made myself 50 agreeable | never had
any trouble aiterward.
remenber another occasion whena
new girl came To the village. and the
boys were all strOng-bent on going home
with her Knowing that acquaintance
was nine points in such a case, | bribed
my sister with two dishes of ice-cream,
to call on her and take me along for COM
pany, and when the lines had been
formed on either side of the door as usu.
al, she came out after the other girls had
passed aid the whole crowd tackled her.
was sure had the dead.
wood on that job, but before she reached
the place where stood, little, runy
son-o -a'gun came strutting along with
her clinging TO his arm, and was left 10
sympatbize with the other boys on the
cooperative plan. 1t was very funny for
he runt, but it was tough on the remain
der of the gang. tell you, boys Of 10
day, bitter and sweet were pretty well
mixed in the courting of those good days
OF the long ago. Bloomington Through