New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
AND A RATHER FORMAL OF

/
u,vs Won ever been to an nfare? They call them
| receptions now and lat homes" but IN the r"ri
| communities Of the older Southern States Cback
| from the railroad" in local parlarce), where '"'
customs OF the outside world have not yet pene-
trated along with the smoke OF the locomotive,
the entertainment held In honor OF a newly marileo
| pair Is called an infare.
| The guests are hidden only day or two oefofe-
| hand no grand toilets being expected: and besides
| as everybody within miles has heard thal TIC
Rawlinses second boy is to bring home oride i,o'
cover the river" (Which term can be interpreted as
| meaning ten twenty or thirty miles distahV' e'e,'
body is on the lookout for the infare Inc prac'ee
| OF giving wedding presents does not OBTAIN a'''
| these good people, so everybody can enjoy the
| nrospectye pleasure unburdened by the thought
that piece OF silver or household ornament 'iuS'
| represent them in compensation
| chief among those delight In the excitement
Of the infare the boy depued to ride arouho
| the country with the invitations. Two Ut three
sheets OF paper pasted together in a long strip on
which are inscribed the names OF the Invited guests
answer for Invitations, and pencllied cross OF
| dash affixed TO each name will signify to the most
that the messenger has done his duty and presented
| the list at each house.
The matter OF invitation is simple enough; not so
| the toilet OF the messenger who strives to look
| unusual enough TO do justice to the occasion HIS
| nky throat is encirced by collar OF startling
| height and Wilderness: ts crop OF wool has been
| newly shaved a whole hat furnished, in contrast
| with his usual nondescrpt headgear and gay
necktie or woolen scarf supplies the indispensable
touch Of color He has crammed his feet into boots
| and adjusted spur thereby establishing at once
strained relations with the mule he bestrides that
animal accustomed only to the promptings OF bare
| heels naturally resentng the unwon,ed stimulus
The messengers trousers may be patched into dis
| tlnctlveness and whltened by frequent washinss
into a summary appearance; his coat likewise may
/ han tha Ip1nr 10
of fesvity from the radiance of his newly anolnted
face to the blackress OF his borrowed boots A
sprg Of holly or a red ribbon fastened in the mules
bride serves to heighten the effect.
DEBATING THE LIST OF GUESTS.
DO you think he had better stop by the Gron-
| ingse" the mistress asks OF her husband, as the
eager messenger whip la hand. stands ready TO
depart II had a notion to ask Sallie Gronin;
amt taken the sacrament comfortable since we feII
bout that quilt pattern
Her life mate looks speculatively into the fire;
then out Of the window. II conjurng assisi lance
from the clements In giving his answer.
Il reckon he better had" he says at length.
though there q time when never calculated
TO see a Gronir pull his hat in my house. reckon
rs best TO let the young people begin fresh, with
| nobody . put bad mouth on them
The mistress demurs again. The Armsleighs.
she says. must he go there? rs a good piece out
OF his course and they never seem 10 notice any Of
our church people don't believe they know Bish-
Cd when they see him since he's grown up so tall"
on yes. ask them by all means: never mind how
far 1t ls" say, her counsellor "A Rawlns and
Armslcgh come t. this county the same time long
years ago. and the Judge never falls TO ask after
the health OF my family wheneve- / see him In
town. Pscopaian people Is always sim and up
p.sh you know but | wouldn't dsremember the
Armsleghs II they come. all well and good; II
not there won't bc no harm done
Well here you are. Dave calls the mistress.
handing tina, grinnng parsonage the list. Go 10 all
the places this side OF the crck to-day and to-
morrow you can go out the Limestone Road"
In momen: Dave AMI his mule. by no means
one In purpose nr-i. owing to that menacng
spur have disappeared In the distance. Some time
later a stirring HALO at the gate Of the first
"s,ttlerent" he arrives at rouses tho dogs 10 bark
In protest. and informs the jewellers that an occur
renee long anticipated has come 10 pass.
IL is not only the young people OF the neghbor-
hood who hidden TO the infare. nor yet only the
heads % families Tho old people are expected
AMI the infants likewise, the growing children and
the stranger within the gates Those who live too
far away make a return trip within the twenty
four hours chccrfully pack up Indispensable con-
venlences and calculate" TO spend the night with
people living within a mile or two Of the house Of
festvlty.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOSPITALITY.
The whole neighborhooi IS bonded together in
this emergency for those nearest TO the holders Of
the needs prepare for the influx Of these
unbilden yet expected wayfarers. who will need
beds breakfast and pcrh an early dinner before
they can start their return journey.
The hostess she who has forgiven the Gronings
and tolerated the upp.sh PscOpaans. is busy dur
Ing these Intervening days. She has no caterer TO
come to her assistance with dozens OF dishes.
glasses. spoons. knives and forks. She has no ice
chest TO aid her IN the preservation Of dantes. or
nearby grocers to call on should any needed In
gre lien run short There cummings 10 be
done to get butter for tho cakes and cusards; extra
egg hunting for tine unusual demand extra rasin-
seeding nut-cracllirg nt-drying baking. boil
ing and hat not from early morning until dusk.
Assistants she has without number. ncighbors
true and tried. ready with their best hams. knives.
plates young turkeys bed linen and the like. short
skirted able negresses. nimblefooted children, all
eager have "A finger IN the pie and be on hand to
see the guests arrive and witness the hubbub and
commotlon Men. sialwart. black skinned old
hands at the business prepare the pit for the bar
becue with frank satisfaction and build the stands
for the light wood fires whereon the torchllghts OF
welcome shall blaze forth and illrmine the clean
swept circle about the premises
THE CENTRAL FIGURES ARRIVE.
The BRIDE with the bridegroom. arrives from her
home on the morning OF the festival: they are In
stalled In state In the parlor. along with unfamiliar
kInfolk from distant parts OF the county who have
come TO stay a day two. make acquaintance with
the new acquisition to the family. and pronounce
opinion for against according she IL approved
or IL found wanting.
Sounds OF the unwonted excitement without pene
trate into this formal circle about the paror fire.
where the bride possibly. after much urging. per-
forms THE Maiden's Prayer on the jangling piano.
with hot. flushed cheeks and l-disguIeed nervous
ness. feebly Joins I'm the conversation about her
and feels rather homeslck and out OF place. Her
husband. meanwhile. awaiting himself OF the freer
privileges accorded to his SEX has escaped into the
tutI
favorte farm animals and ascertain how they have
gotten during his absence while he was getting
himself married.
At dusk OF the eventful evening overZealOus in
dlvduas station themselves at the entrance OF the
private way which turns off from the main road TO
the house. waving bright lanterns OF encourage
mont II the OncOmlng quests. and frlghening moro