The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-11-30

tails BROUGHT up memories as sweet as
childhood and lasting as life. Such
memories weLed as caused me to almost
see the whitewashed cabins OF fore &c
war" rows of fodder stacks around the
old lots, and / listened for the squeak of
the old-fashoned screws. [ wish that all
the people everywhere could 20 out and
enjoy Georgia country party and at a
good, old-fashioned home. among the old
time people.
Next TO these country parties I put the
corn stockings as places OF pleasure. we
have missed all the Stockings this year.
but most tender memory fingers around
our hearts of those we have attended in
the past, and the world could be but the
better If all knew them as we have known
them. Tho anticipation OF the old-tilne
stockings took all the labor out of gath
ering corn in those days-it was froic
TO gather, for we knew a good time was
near. Never a farmer threw his corn IN
the crib in those days. but big pile in the
lot whetted our desires as il grew and
relieved OF all the pinches of cold or the
dread % labor. AS the corn pile grew tho
pigs and turkeys and chickens fattened,
till ct last the settlement. white and black,
would gather, and n joyful time was had.
l have seen, at an old time shucking.
pile of 1900 bushels of corn shucked and
put in the cribs I'm one day and night, and
there was not tired person in the crowd.
for there was always enough Of fun and
frOlic and songs and dances 20 keep the
crowd lively and forgetful Of labor.
Thse old shuckings are things Of the
past. but the generations To come viii new
er feast on melodies rs sweet. on sports rs
harmless. nor on a crowd so happy as the
crowds Of a shucking before the war
Many has been the night l have sit and
listened to these crowds upon their way.
They gathered from every direction to meet
at the corn pile. Each crowd was sure TO
have a leadcr-or "callcr''-and from across
tho fields in every direction would come
the sound of their songs as they wended
their way. The young masters accompa-
MED the negroes. but there WAS @ liberty
Of action till J doubt If ever "a negro has
felt grand or so free as they have felt
their way TO and around tAe corn pile
AZ an old time shUcking OF '"fore de war"
The songs they sang are q memory and
as sweet as dream 10 The old who vet
survive. From across the field TO the north
would come IN most plaintive tones:
Ola maSsa give me holiday.
He says he'll give me more;
I thanked him very kindly
As / showed ms boat from shore
Oh nv dearest May.
You're lovely as he day
Your eyes so bright.
Then shine at night
when the moon has gone away.
Directly if we We're listening @s
have often listened, you would hear the big
chain lumber an the bottom Of tho old fat
az the ferry and. rs they would push away
from shore and tie ferryman began 10 nuii
for the other side, YOU could hear fifty
voices Join IN chorus.
Then row away. row.
Ger the waters so blue,
Like Il feather Wen float.
In our -um-trec canoe
But the jolly time was at the corn pile.
when the crowd has gathered. imag nc
three hundred negroes at the foot % n
corn pile as large as house2 a leader,
will mount the pile and their song VIII
7 win start the holler!
BuEIci0,
! Will start the holler
BuglelO.
INV N.r.fflrf