The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-24
..IIow Home was Made Happy Be.
fore the War;"

The country home in the South be-
fore the war was almost patriarchial
in it's comfort ana simplicity, without
display The central figure was the
father to whom all looked W with
love and respect. he treated the
mother with such chivalrous Difference
that it set the example for children
and servants to follow. She was mis-
treSS in the house as he was ruler out
side. 1t was no life of idleness they
led While he was busy managing
The plantations, serving as vestryman
in the church, acting as magistrate.
besides sharing the cares and respon-
sib;lities of the nation she was look
ing after her household with vigilance.
having the cloth woven to clothe the
negroes, and providing for the family.
One woman raised chickens, another
ducks and turkeys. The gardener
came for his daily orders and every
thing went IN like clock work There
was a general frolic when the sound
CT beating rock salt could be heard
before day, for that meant hog killing
time The children. white and black,
we're dancing around the fires. the
COWS Dragging over which had the big
gest pig tail, the girls blowing blad-
ders, and all yelling like wild Indians.
The older darkies grinning with de-
| light at the prospect of good dinners
Il
another jubilee. Every one, big and
little, was hunting long straws 10 in
sert into the tubs and suck to their
hearts content
When a big dining was expected
| The children would slip out where the
iced cakes We're drying in great dishes.
and see who could slip one off without
being found out. When reported to
mother she would only laugh and tell
| the pastry COOK to make some more.
| The only thing she never forgaVe was
| q STORY" Nowadays it is called a
| lie 1t was considered so black then,
we We're ashamed of the name. Car
riaee loads of the neghbors would
drive up to spend the day without an
invitation, being sure of q hearty vel
come. In the winter there was usually
| a house full of guests to attract them
In summer all joined in picnicS and
| fish fries. When sickness or sorrow
came those same ncighborS would ar
rive to share the musings or watch
over the dead body lying in state.
The Rector always spent the week
between his two Sunday services with
some member of the congregation. Ii
was considered the greatest possible
treat to have him. He entered into
the JOYS and sorrows of all, and had
to inspect each child's garden to see
how the flowers had grown from the
SEED he naQ gwen. w Hell ie SAdi tcu
home there was a procession to his
buggy so each member of the, family
could put i'm something for his wife
| and the little ones When the young
ladies had company, the parents and
| younger children ali went in the par
| Tor to enjoy the music and gaines.
Eiack Nanny would bring in a heap
| ing waiter of popcorn, courtesying and
smiling at the compliments Of the
young folks. The father was never
| too tired to play the fiddle for a home
canoe. If there were a ball at a pub
lie place he would escort his daught-
ers in his carriage, the sons usually
having buggies of their own. The
riother was the best friend her sons
could have. They never used word
in her presence which could not be
repeated to the highest lady in the
land. She made the poorer e.ghbors
feel that they were treated with the
same courtesy as those of her own
station / know an instance where
the colored people still bring their
| children and grandchildren to see
| "Mstis' picture" Those good people
did their duty so naturally they never
gave it an after thought. The key
rote of living seemed TO sbe,
Honor and shame from no condi-
ticn rise
Act we'll your part, for there the honor
lies"
ADELAIDE EVANS SMITH,
/ Scotland NSeck N. C..