Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-03-24
HOMESPUN PEOPLE;
Their Ways and Manners.

recently the lamentations of an English
woman over the formal Drawing Rooms"
in which our British society cousins occa-
sionally indulge. By very contrast, in ali
except the utter stupidity of the affair, it
reminds us of time honored American
custom, equally lamentable, viewed either
from hygienic or an intellectual point OF
view. This is the visiting practice" of
our rural districts, where eating beyond
measure and gossip without limit are the
order of the day.
1t begins in the fall after the farmer has
husked his corn and killed his pigs, and
his wife has made and stuffed her sausage,
pressed her headcheese, and picked her
1souse."
There is now nothing pressing to be
done, though all can find plenty to do, es-
pecially the wife. But having worked hard
all the year, they feel entitled to little
recreation, and so some fine cold morning
Mrs. Oldtown says to her husband:
"Come, Samuel, hitch up the team and
let's go visiting to-day"
well, don't care if we do" Samuel
responds, wiping the last drop of sirup
from his plate with the remains of pam
cake. "But where'n we go?"
well, there is Ran Jones' folks; we owe
them visit. They were here last Febru-
ary. and Mrs. Jones asks me every time
she sees me when I'm going TO pay back
her visit. And there's Uncle Sis folks.
It's shame we haint been there. Mercy!
we've got places enough to 60. This al
ways stayin' to home and workin like q
slave don't think much of.
Il was thinkin' I'd like to 60 and see
Lev Smaliey. He's been gettin' some new
cattle and I'd like to take look at 'em be-
fore buy this spring."
"Well, I don't owe Lev's wife visit.
but she's always askin' me to come. I
s'pose we might as we'll 60. One thing,
she always has lots of good things to eat. :"
We will suppose that this happens on q
very cold morning, as it often does, for
then the preparations are more numerous
and interesting.
The buffalo robes have to be brought in
and placed on chairs around the stove to
warm. Two or three bricks are put in the
oven to keep the feet warm during the ride.
And even the horses headstalls have to
come from the barn to the kitchen stove to
have the frost dawn out of the "bits," else
the horses mouths would stick to them
like damp finger to frosty doorlatch.
From pegs in the spare room are brought
out the best greatcoat, the broadcloth suit,
the black silk dress, the blanket shawl and
heavy cloak. From various snug corners
come Mr.. O.'s fur tippet, or long knit COM
forter, Mrs. O.'s cloud" and huge pairs
of thick wooden mitttens lined with can
ton flannel.
Now comes the time of dressing, which,
owing to infrequent practice, is sorely try
ing to their tempers. This is especially
the case with Mr.. o. The drafted" COL
lar is too much for his stiff fingers and
Mrs. o. has to stop in the midst of her
hair dressing, tuck the end of the unfn-
ished coil in her mouth, and take the COL
lar in hand.
Then the master of the house struggles
into his overcoat, winds several yards of
the barn. Mrs. o. proceeds to epvelop
herself in cloak, shawl, nubia, etc., and
by the time the horses prance up to the
door is helpless and uncomfortable as were
the fat Hansers in King Valdemar's BAN
quet-room.
The warm bricks and robes are now
hustled into the sleigh, the animated bun
dies roll in upon them and are tucked up
by the hired man. Then off 90 the horses
and the children are left with chattering
teeth watching the fast disappearing forms
Of their parents.
Meanwhile at another farm house, five or
siK miles away, Mrs. Stanley is exclaiming,
~There! We're going to have company to-
day, sure. I've dropped the dishcloth."
Better bake w another batch of mince
pies, hadn't you? Them you made last
week must be most gone," suggests MIR. S.,
whose "staff Of life" is that great indigesti-
ble-pie.
ooh, there's seven left yet, and two Gus
tard pies. But might make some pound
cake"
aMa! somebody's drivin' in, I" announces
Q young Smalley an hour or two afterward.
Why, it's Sam Oldtown's folks, as true
as live!" exclaims Mr.. s., and he dives
into his coat and cap.
aWelll well!n exclaims Mrs. S. from
the doorway as the sleigh drives up. $50
you've come at last. told Lev this morn.
ing we were going to have company, for
dropped the dishcloth."
Mrs. O., assisted by her husband, now
rolls out of the sleigh, pulls up her
acloud," and meets the hearty smack Of her
hostess with one equally hearty. The men
shake hands with hearty aWell, how goes
it?" and then the visiting begins.
In the house the women relate to each
other all their personal experiences since
last they met-what aches and pains they
have suffered, how many times the children
have had colds, how many cans of pre-
serves they @done up" last fall, how many
pickles they "laid down, where they bought
their last new calico dresses, how much
they paid yard, and whether they fade or
don't fade. At the barn the men are dis
cuss ng stock, not that kind that drives
Wall street into panics, but the fat, sleek
cattle and frolicsome colts that grace the
barn-yard.
BY the time they reach the house a fra
has been started in the parlor, and dish Of
apples has been brought from the cellar.
as prelude to the business of the day, and
the women, having finished with their own
personal matters, are ready to take up those
Of their neighbors.
Before much progress has been made in
this direction. however, Mrs. s. must leave
70 see about dinner, for, notwithstanding
the fact that there are three or four kinds
& cake in the cellar. besides cookies and
aeuehnuts. two kinds OF pie and no end Of