New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-13
SAVING THEIR BACON.
NO PREJUDICE AGAINST PORK ON THm
PLANTATION.


hint OF bacteria, physicians pronounce against H.
and discriminating fathers and mothers WIN
families to bring up. recalling ancient MOSAIC laws
and hearkening to the hue and cry. debar IL from
their tables have 1t seldom. On the piantauon'
however. no such uncomfortable prejudices obtain.
There 1t is still the custom to indulge literally IN
backbone stew, headcheese, soused pigs ieeI
scrapple brain soufe and other deectaoie disnes'
with a reckless disregard OF hygenic warninga
There they prepare yards and yards OF linked ara
savory sausages black buildings, liver puddinss
and the like to partake of them and pronounce
them good with scruples as TO disastrous TO
suits They hang and rows OF sides ana
hams and shoulders from the rafters OF dim smoke
houses. to be cured in the old-fashoned way
permeaed through and through with the whole
some fumes OF carefully tended corncob hre'
alternately burning and smouldering to just the
proper degree.
Hog-killing on the plantation is an event OF
Importance, attended with ceremony and excite
ment, and Southern housewives arrange their
social plans and engagements with reference -
It's demands on their time and attention.
I'VE can't come next week because We are going
to kill" a soft-voiced matron will say In response
to an invitation. innocent OF the murderous-sound-
ing import of her words. and her companion UNI
derstands Immediately the uselessness OF further
discussion The week devoted to killing" on the
plantation is analogous to those momentous weeks
dedicated to spring and fall housekeeping by the
one knows how futile would be any attempt to
divert the attention OF New-England housewife
while those tme-honored rites were In progress
The excitement begins in the kitchen when the
recognized ancient pg-sticker. imbued with
sense of his important office, goes to Interview the
cook as 70 the particular carving knives and other
sort of knives. pals and dlshpans she can spare
for an Indefinite time. In the beginning she tells
him that she can't spare any to his tender mer-
cies. and in the end she lets him have whatever
he wants; he acquiring each coveted article. now
ever with a distinct struggle. wordy war as to
his need Of It contrasted with her need OF II. and
a faithful promise to bring 1t back when he Is
through-a promise which she knows OF old he
will not fulfil.
Finally possessed Of complement of murderous
weapons he proceeds to sharpen them and TO dis
patch his various aides-de-camp on numerous i'm
portant missions. Two small darkies are detailed
TO turn the grndstone, two small dogs belonging
respectively TO each sitting by and looking inter-
esedly on. in,uitively smiling fresh meat in the
air and already tasting the titbi;s that VIII ran
to their share. Two other ebon assistants are DID
to collect chips and chunks of light wood to make
a fire under the pot. Others 10 Ill with water the
big black three-legged cadron standing on Its
established rocks in the back yard and again. to
slant an empty barrel at correct angle, the
better scald the hairy sacrifice. Others speed 10
the courthouse select seductive nubbins with
which to tole the unsuspectng swine to the
slaughter.
These details having been attended to. the pig
sticker adjusts his clay-coored bagging apron. ties
a superannuated scarf about HIS ears. TO ward on
the wintry breeze, and HES him to the pasture
fence. where his subordinates are already seated.
with the basket OF between them. calling on
the denizens of those secluded glades and thickets
10 come forth and be RECALLED. The hogs are NOT
accustomed to be called up at that hour OF the day.
and for some time response comes 10 the allurins
invitation. The venerable swneherd joins his thin.
cracked falsetto to the sentorian "Oh. ols OF his
younger companions. His charges recognize the IA.
milIar call and in a moment more. from various
directions they come running with approving grunts
10 the accustomed feeding place AS they assemble
and greediy devour the ears Of corn slung down TO
them the men the fence reckon on the relative
weights Of certain black. spotted or reddish ones.
and bets made as to which one or the three mas
gueslei correctly. In the mean while all the small
boys black and white. and all the dogs OF all sizes
ami colors have drawn near. Then, when the mas
ter OF ceremonies has finished chewing his tobacco
and has decided his first victim he gives the
signal.
one OF the younger slips OF Of the fence and
makes "A dive at the left hind leg Of the shote in
ma,ed. lie misses his aim. In moment the hogs
dispersed in direction. and there is moth
ing to do but the one designated until capt
ured A prospect that affords unfegnei delight TO
al. present Away they through brar and ousn
and bramble. scuddins across meadow. jumping over
bitches spreading CONSERVATION in their path terri
flying the hens and chickens. the calves and colts.
who run Ike frightened deer dsmayed at the up
roar and after half hour Of rare sport and laugh
able exploit. breathless and triumphant. the pursu-
ors return dragging their squeal.ng quarry In igno-
minious bondage. the procession of boys ana dogs
tagging behind more eager and interested than ever
The next day has another description OF excite,
ment The sausage grinder IS goi our, n serup Ser
up and screwed securely TO tne os Sea ,so ron ire
lean pink meat carving II In long strips and cutting
its white pulpness into smooth even-Szed squares
10 he
TIE long-handIed suffer. black and shining. with
own s and happy maid pH and experienced
manner appointed 10 manipulate II the ~ mistress 81,
today filled With bubbling Squares Of white. and
thickwasted. turbaned negress stands near to Keep
With a biz straner 10 drain of the lard and pre-
serve the precious crackiings. e,s - r,rc, h,ooa
yesterday again on hand his head eSlna ap N
and cea9ns There are o,sn six mSTs pes heads
strongly suggestive the ne that SO recently s ami,
mated them are ready to be preParss I9r 'ne
Somebody git me some tarn lips gu: .a 1s
,o dis mime se S and then she picks
some Of the :spare-rbs for boiling and tells the old
to hurry p wa over es Them so she
dunno how 1t is put we neobeI see re n %ssa Cd %
Ss% big 5or psekns s0Hddo down ike
seed must out" observes the woman al the
"Weii. ebrybody goes work and buys tin can:
and lar and tings. spendin their money like II
wasn't hard 10 git so dat mex de Lord stop dem
big gourd from CROWN. says the pigstlcker sagey,
.Wy old Miss nebber 10 study bout keepin'
sausage and lard neder butter nor milk. In any
ting else but gourd but desc yere young niggers
what fxin to keep house is crazy bout store.
bought tngs; dat counts FOR dey beln' so poor an
nebher cumulatn' nothln."
Oats les where you're right, Mr.. Beasely SAID
the cracking strainer cmptying whole turn or
crisp brown toothsomeness into the can by her
when dc tall broom grass is jes' a-wavin' at em In
de field Dat make dey hab for carry all dere cot.
ton TO de store stead CT proftin by IT.
Then each in turn Of the older workers recalls the
candles they used TO make. the cloth they used to
dye and weave and the good. sensible times they
used to have tie younger ones listening IN respect-
full silence and privileged dogs swapping from time
to time al the discarded fragments thrown TO them