The Ordway new era., 1908-05-22

indeed in the rural districts II II
be true or false that it Is love that
makes the world 90 round. 1t l. Ger
tainly fact that the main world for
the boy between Il and y in the
farm lands. is that delectable land Of
Hearts Desire, bounded on the east
west. north and south by the vision
OF his best girl" and fesioOned by
dreams Of various circuses, band con
ce-;s. dances, Sunday school gathr!
tngs. fish frys." picnics. ba-becues,
and buggy rides.
To see boy emerge from the chrys
ais stage OF 10 or thersabOutS. into
the full.srown butterfly Of l. or Is, :
something marvellous To behold. and
Instructive TO contemplate The trans
formation is Invariably accomplished
by means OF red-S hetled buggy
This really marks the time when he
strikes of the shAckles Of boyhoot
and emerce> into the t>arce white
light OF country society. He becomes
81 once a target for the sidespliitine
witiicisms OF the country editor With
his Jake Beaver seems TO be driv-
ing out pretty regular towards the
osgood farm now. Sunday nights
Hey, JAKE. When shall We send our
congratulations This makes Jake"
feel as though he had drawn capital
prize at some grand lottery
A boy without a buggy is absolutely
not In the running" at all \ great
deal OF sparkling" is done while on
the read TO the various entertain
ments. and Cupid in the country would
be especially appropriate with wings.
fer the boys usually drive at break
neck pace Just TO scare the girls and
impress their sweeihearis with their
provess as drivers 4 boy who IS
driving the old mans rig. feels about
as important as II he was wearing his
elder brothers old clothes. and every
one knew IL But with n new buggy.
with heavy near-fuT robe for winter.
and a fancy blanket for summer. and
q new buggy whip. and a ~sIeppy"
nag to leave the dust in the other
fellows face. the rural swain Is IL
his element. and an the TOP wave Of
delight.
We saw a great deal OF the evolu-
ton OF the rustic cavalier Al the farm.
ssAAA -AAA.A-As N4s--ls
were his busy days and the road In
front Of the house vas scAlloped with
the print OF his buggy wheels You
NAV be sure that the question OF dress
Was most particular point with him.
and to save time and be strictly ea
re:ale he always wore patent leath-
er~ shoes. Soft hats were the style,
black in the fall and winter. and light
IN the summer and spring. Some OF
the boys were prone 70 silk NUT
tiers and elaborate ties. and were
really gotten UP regardless
As IS usual in such cases. there is
always some one boy who is known
as the best dressed fellow in the
township" and he is especially care
fui TO live UP TO the reputation. even
II II takes nearly all he can earn to
appear with the latest novelties In
dress Some OF the boys were vari-
ously the best dancers. the best box.
ers, the best swimmers. skaters. etc
but the most important member OF
society in the community. the Ward
McAllisteT" Of the district. was the
boy who was the best dancer and
"ealler-oE' at the dances. for he could
make or unulaks either a boy o. Z
girl who wanted TO shine al these as
semblaces.
a curious feature OF the counting
which was carried on. was the gath
eriass OF the young boys and girls who
played games among themselves. but
who did not dance. These embryo
society events would often be attend.
ed by eager crowds OF as many as 80
or 40 couples. most Of them girls and
boys Of about Ia TO IS. and they al
ways went home early. and Il vas as
II Cupid was merely making teuta-
tive arrangements for more serious
affairs Sometimes At these little
parties as they we're called. there
would be ar attempt TO have = auad-
rifle o. two before the party broke up.
some OF the more ambitious OF the
girls wanting TO Try their wings before
building out at the regulation dances
Then after a year OF more you
would see some OF the boys and girls
who attended these parties at
dances. and you would know tha.
nevermore would they be seen with
the youngsters. but that they had
fairly entered the arena o. society,
and were now escorted by the boys
Who owned their own buggies. and
Who we're preparing to enter the
doubtful state of na;rimony in the
immediate future.
Boys and girls marry early on the
farms. great many of them are
married. the boys at 81. the girls a,
- or younger. A good many are mar
sied, boys before they are 20. girls at
1e. This makes for early grand
parentage. and extensive families.
Courtship. therefore. Il confined to
period of nom tuo to three years. to
Ave At tho furthest- A years court
aAip b : fairiy long time and mar
e11GD ahd g1ving IN marriage occnpIes