New-York tribune., 1895-12-22

lowest price and tall lean, longvisaged men with
unkempt boards struggling over their homespun
shirts will bring in punches OF skins, rude cages
full OF live pa'trdges." and clusters of rabbits
and squirrels tied on sticks slung their Shout
ders Bare-footed boys accompany them. boys un-
couth and shabby and tattered. but bssful withal,
and keenly interested in the contagious stir and
hustle
The small farmers wives. who come into the
stores 10 trade collect around the stove anu eA
change neigh borhood gossip with the clerks before
their business is transacted. The men nave an
unvarying habit of disappearing with the proprle-
tor into mysterious regions above from "''c"0
they presently emerge wiping their lips anu !"
most satisfactory condition for the conduct OF p"Si
ness affairs The goods in that particular pro-
prietors shop may may not be all 'ha' 10
boasted for them the quality OF the llquor ne
treats with during Christmas time. however Hust
be satisfactory or the tide OF business IS dVerteu
into another channel
These young farmers a hale. ruddy set OF ie'-
lows Their overcoats are frayed at the edges anc
their trousers OF heavy jeans are crammed '''o
mud-staIned boots. but they are Jolly, happy anu
contented II only the merchants advances on the
next years crop liberal enough to satisfy the'
No cash is exchanged in much Of THIS Cnristm's
traffic With the small. farmers the amount OF
purchase is set down against the next year cot
ION crop with goodly interest added to swell the
indebtedness.
SPENDING THE "EXTRY CROP" MONEY.
The negro woman who brings in IN. extry crop.
ACCOMPANIED by a procession Of sons and daughter-
has much ado invest the limited sum OF money
that the cotton will bring There are so many needs
10 provide for. Criticism is dlsarmed If. when sne
counts the scant coins In hsr uncertain fashion, not
being used 10 arhmetical calculations. she Is i'm
PEELED 10 ignore the nscessaries and make a wild
plunge into the realm OF the necessaries. She has
so little she desires much Try as she VIII. her
excheduer would not purchase a frock apiece Tor
her BARNS. Small wonder that she leaves them 10
bssfu shreds and tatters and secures for one
cloth doll. for the youngest rubber rattle 10Y
another a green and yellow wheels ana Tor
the others striped mint candy. picture pooks am
frecrackcrs She buys sugar ana raisns Tor christ
mas cake and takes her share o. the earnings III "A
trimmed white apron. 49,
II reckon kin git -four and a piece oh meat from
Miss Susan. she calculates. as the party take tnrir
home and Miss susan the mitron on whose
land she ives Is seldom OF mind 10 refuse.
MY hens amt layn' none tail right ABOUT now
but cackiiate TO fetch you dozen or two eggs
long bout plantn' time she SAYS, apoogeu-
cal'y as she accepts tho hour and meat. and Miss
Susan" smiles udu.gentiy, she Is accustomed 10
these de.usive promises.
I'VE not responsible for these people any
more: they must earn 10 look after themselves,
protests Miss susan's' spouse. when mention Is
made OF the extra drain on the Christmas pantry
But Miss Susan" convlnccs him that she could not
enjoy Christmas knowing that these poor people
"xhnk az III A. thoss children to feed and the