The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-20


In few moments a small
water was before us bearing a common
looking decantcr half full of something
80 coiorless that but for the greenisi
Unit oi the glass one might have doubt
ed whether II contained anything. Tw,
J thin glasses OF the same tint and \
pitcher OF water invited our attention
\ single Whit Of the liquor, although
much diluted. was sufficient. This was
what IS known as apple new. one
swallow Of which would set on fire the
Vltais and let loose IN ones brain a le
glon Of devils We managed at moment
when the old man. back WAS turned &c
give mother earth the benefit of the
draught.
Although we had jnsf been offered
drink. nothing bad yet been said about
something TO cat. We noticed. how.
ever. that the old maa seemed undhly
concerned Perhaps he was making
extra preparations for the two "stfar
gers Ei,her this or something else
was on his mind. for he would Occa-
sionally approach us, as If about to
make an important communication.
and as suddenly appear to change his
purpose. by flying off in an opposite di-
iccii0n.
The sun had by this time almost gone
down. The Landscape Was in deep
shadow. aud We already felt the chilly
approach of night oosing up from the
meadows and vet places. Insects were
beginning their nocturnal songs. The
voice Of the cricket and the katydid re-
minded the traveller that he was there a
prisluer-at least until the coming Of
another sun. In the meantime we no
tced that an arrival or two had taken
place They were evidently not
strangers They were young people,
and were cordially greeted in his
rough way by our venerable host. Soon
Others Of the same sort made ihelr ap
pearauce. until at last the porch could
not contain them all. The rest, how
ever. soon found room inside the
house. which was now being Int with
tallow candles. The crowd grew by
DEGREES. They came. two on horse.
some in wagons. Others IN carryalls and
some ON foot, and il was noticed they
were all IN holiday dress and in the
bsst of spirits. The fresh. csy-cIeeked
girls displayed every variety Of taste
Inn their costumes. In most cases their
part. COlOrcd skirts were not over long,
while their sleeves. tied ~ with fib-
bon close TO the shoulder. like those of
an infant. left bare their full rounded
arms Jewelry was c0nspicuously alb
sent. but an abundance Of ribbons of
every shade and hue supplied this want.
Tue greatest and most possible neon
gruities Of STYLE and color prevailed.
Here and there some gaudy remnant
or grOtesQne array Of tiusel ornament
wa. IN strong contrast with the cOarsest
n me-made material. Most of the
Younger lassies were dressed. lOw-neck
generally. in white. and were par
ticulariy addicted to green kid gloves,
i'm which their plump, red hands
cmed suffering for room. The cos
TUNES of the young men were less pre-
tsntious. Here ana there bright neck
tie. fresh from the nearest country
store. was the particular pride Of the
conscious wearer. Some wore their
striped pants within freshly blackened
bo Is. others showed their coarse yarn
5. ck- above heavy shoes. Now and then
a Younger buck who. perhaps, had
lately been To town. seemed proud OF
his low quarter shoes. red socks. watch
chain and standing collar. Such was
the assembl.ge that had now gathered
together before us as suddenly aod with
the promptne-s of candle-ilie5 to some
luminous centre.
All this time we were surml.ing
What il could mean. Perhaps there
was 10 be a wedding. and the old man =
daughter. if he had one. was 10 be the
victim. and tins would account for the
embarrassment he had shown when the
companv began to assemble. We were
lot long kept 10 suspense. IL turned
ont that our good natured host had
been contemplating an apology to US
for what he apprehended was about TO
b.. "a disagrecable and unwelcOme event
90 his stranger guests. After the
company had all arrived and were
about to begin operations, the necessity
of the cass forced him at last 10 LET US
know that the young folks
bout thar WAS a g0in 10 bey
a dance. expressing his regret also that
we should be disturbed by the noise
and confusion incident thereto.
II. al the same time gave us
the option Of taking our supper and
retiring for the night or of remaining
u witness the dancing and then
ipping with the young people. lie
seemed greatly relieved and pleased
when we assured him Of our perfer-
cnce for the latter arrangement.
aou further enquiry we were IN
formed that this was one of a round oil
GATHERINGS incident 10 the season for
gathering and securing the crop OF
apples 30 important 10 the people OF
mat region. In word. it was to be an
~Applebuiier Boiling. and is as much
an annual feast as Christmas Itself
among the mOuntaineers. and perhaps
more necessary to their comfort during
the remainder Of the year. Having III
formed our host that We had often
heard of these gatherings, but had
never had the pleasure OF beng
present at one, be appeared proportion
ateiv relieved of his former anxiety.
That the event may be better under
s.0od. il will be- proper to describe more
rartSilarly what occurred on the pres
eut occasion. The dancing feature was
q decov by which the young people
were brought together. not only FOR
plcasure. but for work. After the
apDles intended for tins specia. use are
gathered. they are peeled aud cut up IN
large quantities. We saw on TIL. oc-
casion more than wagon load pre-
pared for use. \ large iron pot. hold
ing perhaps fifty gallons of cider Is
first suspended over blazing lire unul
The ,iouid begins TO boil. Then the
apples are emptied in. and the heated
mixture stirred without ceasing. This
is accomplished by means OF long pole.
to the end Of which - hxed
a Fat piece of wood at right
angles TO lis length. As soon as the
boiling begius. upon signal II number
Of Young men and women SEIZE the pole
aud stir the boiling mass. laughing ana
singing and making merry. THIS is no
easy work. but the tedIum We may De
assured is relieved by sall.es OF humor,
the by PLAYS and tricks Of lovers ana
syeethearts. who alwa, manage to ge'
together accidentally on such occasions
These are in their turn relieved by
-. ~ tnafrx-maEeIQ Wnllf