The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

time. You see nine-tenths OF the houses
in the Piedmont belt from half CEN
fury TO seventy years ago had only one
freDlaee IL was usually an immense
one. in which huge logs from four TO
ten feet long were burned, and was al
ways in what was called the Dig ROOM
which meant the same then as sitting
room does now. A small bedroom was
cut off at the back Of this main room
and two or three 'shed-rooms' Dullt on
10 the sides Of IT, These were the better
houses. mind you. and the whole family
would assemble around the fire In this
main room at night So you can easily
see what a hard time a fellow had TO
make love.
every little coffin was done on week
DAYS. OF course at corn shuckin's ana
cotton pickin's many matches were made
and much love making INDUCED In, ana
they always took place on week nights,
but Sunday was the great sparkin day.
The very first Sign that young man
ever gave young woman which showed
her that he was smitten with her was 10
run out Of the church after service on
Sunday morning and lead her horse
around to the block for her to mount.
This was a sure symptom OF love. OF
course, when he did this she knew that
he would mount his own horse and ride
home with her. provided another one OF
her admirers didn't mount quicker and
take his place at her side. In this case
he had to give mp. Ii was code or honor
among young men Of that day 10 let the
man who appeared first have the right
of way II the fellow was lucky enough
TO get the girl of his choice mounted, and
quick enough TO mount his own horse
and ride up by her side before any one
else got the place he went home with her,
took dinner and supper, and often re-
NAMED over night That was pretty
rough on the girl If she didn't happen
TO fancy the man, wasn't il?
During all of this time the man
wouldn't get a moment alone with the
girl unless her mother happened TO favor
him: II she did she would FIRST call out
her husband and then the younger chill
dren one by one. leaving the couple 10
themselves IN the big room or she would
tell them that she thought. they would
find il warmer in the kitchen, and II
their love was mutual you may be sure
they would skip out 10 the little log kitch-
en- in the back yard as fast as ever they
could 80. The loom and the spinnin
wheels always stood in the Kitchen, and
there the family took their meals. Oh,
happy was the young man who could get
his girl alone in the kitchen"
Fancy taking your sweetheart into the
kitchen" exclaimed a young girl In whose
home there are hooks that seem TO have
been built Just for lovers. THAT would
take all the sentiment out Of 1t for me-
when the family was in the Kitchen
continued the Squire. absorbed in his
own story. "the lovers would manage 10
get in the back ROOM where they were
sure TO be free from interruption, and.
ha sir az al 4. at-
toned chest. always called 'chist, repeat
10 each other the old. new story. Many
a tale of love has been told In just such
surroundings. IL things went smoothly
and the lovers became engaged. their
way OF announcing il was for her 10
mount his horse behind him and ride to
church"
"Heavensl Why didn't they go in q
buggy or carriage2 The idea of both of
them riding TO church on the same
horsel Why II made them appear per-
fecuy ridiculous, didn't it2' asked
schoolgirl.
mo. indeed. II did not" promptly re-
sponded Squire Melee; lit made her
the envy OF every girl In the meetin'
house who didn't have a beau, and II
made him the envy Of every man who
had looked on his prize tenderly. AS
for buggies and carriages. there wasn't
a one in this part OF the State at that
time Frequently one horse carried three
persons 10 church. and the young people
were always married IN church. and al
ways on Sunday"
Squire Camp felt that Squire. McBee
WAS getting the field, so he FASTENED 70
say: Cotton pickin's were great times
for co tin then"
'you don't mean TO say that the young
people who composed the society or That
time went into the fields and picked cot
TOM" said Confederate veteran In
amazement.
''Wel. 1 should say not" the Squire an
svered. Don't you know the difference
between cotton plckin' and cotton pick
in? Cotton pickin' meant the removing OF