Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-30

sheaths. All the round, smooth. ripe,
shiny nuts are preserved sacredly for
"cob-nutting." II is often "A Cornish boys
entire winter employment aud diversion
to prepare the cob-nuts for the rest of the
years battle for superiority with his fell
lows. The sport takes its uame from the
cob or shell of the nut
Thecobnuts are prepared by boring hole
through each side of the nut, removing the
kernel and filing the hollow shell with
lead or shoemaker's wax. the latter being
preferred. The shoemaker OF the village
is consequently an almost revered person.
age with all Cornish boys. A "waxed-endn
drawn through the loaded "cobn or shell,
and held by u strong knot. completes the
cob-nuti and YOU cannot lind a boy in ell
Cornwall who has not one ready strung for
contest, and a pocketful ready for string
ing for reserve contingencies
lies are drawn for first crack The
loser throws his hat upon the ground. and
lays his cob-nut in little hollow upon its
top. Then the ''cobbler" or striker, hold
ing his cob between the ends of his fingers
OF his left hand and the end of the at
tached waxed-end in his right after many
feiuts, motions and sights brings his cob
with almost the force of bullet upon his
opponents. one or the other is seated"
or broken. 1t is turn and turn about
Generally one of the lads has his entire
stock OF reserve cobs destroyed. Nor will
he then yield. He borrows and begs of
his companions to the limit Of his power,
until perhaps superior cob is found and
by his spirited cracking lie AT last
trlumphs over his adversary.
Yesterday was Taxing sunday" in this
parish, and most interesting and ancient
Cornish custom was observable in Glow
ance Park, on the noted ST. Aubyn estate.
The PARK and gardens are open TO all on
Taking sunday One of the glories of
this park is magnificent mall. bordered
with some of the noblest beech trees in all
England.
ON the afternoon of the Sunday two
weeks before hazard Fair which derives
its name from the mazard.cherry fair an
nually held at prale III the latter part of
June, when tons OF this luscious fruit are
disposed Of by the farmers OF the sur
rounding COMPREHENSIVE of Cornish
youths and madens NAV be found prone
nading in this Clawance Park mall. They
sometimes come from Il distance of 10 and
20 miles. Cornish young men resort here
70 choose their PARTNERS or Company
Tor hazard Fair; and here the blooming
lasses come to be taken that is, pledged
for Mazard Fair day.
Many an eNtiltant or broken sheart
leturns nome that night, successful III its
creily-cherished hope, or stinging from
bitter disappointment. But Mazard Day
come, the Lao walks miles for the girl he has
chosen on Taking sunday and together
they tramp away TO Praze. II is glorious
thing 70 be chosen or taken" at Clowancc
Park; but her whole fate hangs upon d
parcel of cookies and almonds at Praze
These constitute the 'fairin' or pledge
of betruthal, and it is asserted that half Of
the women Of Cornwall have been married
through this curious troth. Ii the
maiden's 'pairdner' buy her one pound
OF ginger cookies and a half pound Of
almonds, and she accept the same, the two
are, as sacredly bctrothed US though bans
had been read from the pulpit. The lucky
maiden carefully preserves the .fairin' v
and triumphantly divides it with her rela-
tives and friends, i'll token of her new rela-
tons to, and consequence in, her own
curious little world Of affairs.
EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN.