The bee., 1901-01-31

OF what was called "st0re shoes" In
summertime, boys of fifteen years
and younger invariably went to
church bagefooted; and when boy
began to wear shoes he was said to
have "set out" A wagon was very
uncommon thing, our wealthiest
farmers having nothing better than
oX-carts; buggies were extremely
rare, so much so that II anyone hap
pened TO come to church in one the
moment be left it, IL would be sur
rounded by % crowd Of boys who ex-
amined it in every detail. Horses
were plenty, but saddles scarce and
costly. Tobacco seldom sold for
more than two or three cents per
pound; pork, two cents, and difficult
TO sell at any price. Eggs, butter,
potatoes, and similar products, could
not be sold at all. You could buy II
good milch COW for 81 and tho very
best for $40; wheat was worth 80
cents per bushel-when il could be
sold Mt all; corn had no selling val
ne, and we have known IL to be
shelled by hand, ground on horse
mill, hauled to the Ohio river and
sold for 20 cents per bushel. A good
horse sold for $50, and the very best
for $40. Handmade wagons were
worth $3.50. \ twO-hOrse wagon was
unknown fifty years ago in this part
OF the country.
4 good hand hired for $40 a month,
an extra stout one for $l2. Work on
q farm was Notwithstanding logs.
splitting rails, clearing ground, fenc-
ing etc; raising barns was also hard
work. Every good farmer had to
have n log-rOlling in the spring; it
would require one day, sometimes
two OF three, and even niOTe. oueach
farm, to pile up the logs ready for
burning. Every man for at least
three miles around wOuld be invited.
A jug of whiskey was always
feature OF the occasion, some believ
ing that an occasional dram made
them stronger and better able to en-
dre fatigue.
But ths grandest time was had In
the fall, after the crops were gath
cred.
Corn was gathered, hauled and
piled mp by the crib. night would
be set (corn-schuckiDg was invario.
bly, done at night, a few white
neighbors invited, and word sent out
among the negroes that there would
, be u corn-schuckiDg at q certain
, place, and every negro for mihsss
around would come; they would be-.
,, gin to arrive as soon as 1t Was dark,
singly and in droves; II song would
be raised (all joining in tho ehoRusl,
! the corn-pile surrounded and work
commence. Soon some one would
5 find red ear, when the cry Of
. "dram! dram l''would be raised, and
the bottle passed around. Every ret
4, ear was expected to produce dram.
. Sometimes, when red ears were
!, numerous, the bottle or jug would
:, be reported empty, TO keep all hands
duly sober. Usually by 8 o'clock, 81
to 100 barrels of corn would be
.. schucked The negroes would then
!, take the owner on their shoulders
carry him around and into the house
- and put him to bed; supper would
y - be eaten, and, after patting and dane.
ing for an hour or two, they went as
n they came.
= In those days schools and school.
g mousse were quite different from wha,
e we see now. a log house, with A
d luncheon floor. clapboard loft.
It weight poles, and tho corners moi
S sawed off." Frequently the floor
e was omitted. a whole log was sawed
4 out to furnish light, and it was not
a replaced with glass, but a wooden
G shutter. \ huge Fireplace, six on
4 eight feet wide, built; trees of the
: proper size were cut, split and the
l., nat side smoothed off, holes bored
? ana legs put in, which served as
. seats; wooden pins were driven into
' the wall on which to hang baskets
! containing dinners.
, The schOolteacher was absolute
/ monarch, having sole control over the
) scholars. Anyone who could read
and write and knew the multiplica-
) tion table and had "ciphered to the
rule OF three" was considered amply
qualified to teach school. We re-
member going to sch, ol to teacher
who told us when we got as far as
fractions that they were of no ben
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NOntinuad On Gavontb De-. a