The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-18
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

S ever since Mrs. Vanderbilt gave the in
itiative barn ball at Newport, and Lenox
fastened to seal the ceremony with the
sign of popular approval, but no swell
stable festival could equal in picturesque
effects and genuine enthusiasm the series
Gf old-fashiOned harvest revels and husk-
fng-bee carnivals that have been given
here during the past month. Mrs.
Vanderbilt requested her guests to leave
their diamonds at home, as the readers
of the Herald may remember The
country maidens hadn't any to bring, but
they don't need them, for glowing
cheeks and sparkling eyes, laughing red
bps and shining tresses that all the New
port diamonds could not buy or lease,
need no adjoining, while shy, sweet
grace of bearing and the quaint dignity
of unaffected simplicity in demeanor
lend to gingham gowns and calico frock
3 piquant charm of beauty. -...
Over the dun, barren fields, through
the rustling, golden glory of fallen leaves
and beneath the soft splendOr of the
late October moon the country lads and
Iasses hasten to the huskings with swift
and willing steps. One, two and even
three miles they walk, though horses
stand idly in the stable, for who would
ride when the jolliest part of the whole
proceeding is the walk home with your
best girl after it is over and the linger-
ing good night at the gate? The yellow
corn-shocks are piled high against the
old barn walls, where, in swaying fes-
toons of aromatic cedar, lanterns flash
out of the dark and make heavy shadows
On the bright, flushed faces of the merry
workers; fringes and tassels of pines
droop from the dark brown rafters, and
through it all a subtle, sweet odOr drifts
from the hay-mow, whose summit is lost
In the gales. High up in a peaked roof
Is fastened wreath of cedars where
never girl would dream one would be
hung, and if any unsupported maiden
ventures unconsciously beneath it, or is
inveigled by some mischievOus youth
INTO its vicinity, she pays mistletoe-
Dough penalty to whatever SWANS hap
pens to be quickest at her side.
How the sweet, glad voices ring
through the rustling of the dry stalks as
swift brown fingers strip the husks away
md toss the ears over their shoulders
into golden, glowing heaps, which the
men carried away in baskets What
shout and mad chase whe the red ear
is found, and the fleet-footed finder runs
from her pursuers, branding it aloft, and
how graciously and sweetly, when the
race is over, she lifts her most warm
lips to the swiftest runner in kiss that
is kiss, with smack to it that you
could almost taste yourself the other
side of the room!
And when the work is done, how
quickly room is made for the long table,
improvised out of barrels and boards,
when jugs of cider, heaped-up plates of
brown doughnuts, great square tins of
pumpkin pies of red and yellow apples
are placed, while crazy seats of corn
stalks accommodate the guests, who are
served from the plenteous store! We re-
verse the conventional order of proceed
ings here, and, instead of a lot of stupid
men tearing distractedly about the table,
splitting most of the viands they try to Sc
cure for their ladies', the men are seated
themselves, and the lightfooted maidens,
with their deft, skllful hands, serve
them, and atterward sit down beside
them to share the feast. Once it is de-
spatched, men and maidens alike help to
clear the floor, the fiddler mounts
ricKety platform, and all join in the old
fashioned country dances with the joy
GUS abandon of children until the moon
beams get tangled in the distant tree
tops, and warn them that it is time to
pair off, like birds in May, and start on
the long walk toward home.
But of all the frolcs Farmer jenkins
husking bee the other night was the
rOllickingest, jolliest, merriest and gay
est. In the first place, the farmer has
the biggest barn and the best cider and
the prettiest daughter in the whole town
ship, and, in the second place, his wife
makes the sweetest doughnuts and the
thickest pumpkin pies and the richest
mOlasses cake of any one near here.
And, in addition to all these attractions,
pretty little romance was brought Co
charming finale in a most original and
quaint manner just before the husking
was done.
jamie jenkins is a most bewitching
bundle of willful womanhood, with
delicious, d.mure little ways that win
your heart, but with certain still proud
dignity that commands your respect. If
ever she lift her long, dusky lashes and
reveals the wistful depths of her wonder
full eyes you feel like taking her in your
arms rs you would baby that is sob
bling; but if you so much as touch the
tips of her fingers she flashes look of
scornful defiance from those same depths |
that would right about face whole |
regiment of men. Even in her child |
hoods merry games of forfeits no daring
rustic laddie ever presumed to claim lis
lightful kiss from jamie, for she didn't |
believe in kissing and nonsense and
would have none of it, but she was a
blithe, brave, bonny little maiden, who
knew now to steer her own sled down
T.. 4