The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-03

'Oh, George. ten them to stop,
This was the cry Of Mariar;
But the louder she hoIered
The harder they pushed.
And the swing went s little Bit higher"
Fish fries broke up about dark
and the grind Of wheels on the gravel.
~ spots and the shouts of the return
ing couples soon died away along the
road.
Barbecues were rather infrequent
affairs, sometimes occurring when a
noted political speaker was to make
an address. They we're held usually
at the county fair grounds, or out in
the woods somewhere, and whole
beeves, sheep and hogs were roasted,
and literally tons Of eatables con-
sumed. There was always something
to spend money over, and while the
boys and girls seldom enthused over
the oratory, they did over the good
things to eat. Picnics were also in
frequent happenings
The buggy ride is at present the
piece de resistance Of country court
ship. It takes the couple away from
the prying eyes Of little FBub" and
Sis" and it usually loosens the
tongue OF many bashful swain.
There is something for a boys hands
to do, and his feet are under cover.
The awkwardness Of hanging on
to a chair and trying to think Of
something to say is gotten rid or and
the motion of the flying buggy cheers,
but does not inebriate him. He b
therefore more at an advantage, as TO
carrying on conversation, and many
a proposal is jolted out on a buggy
ride which otherwise might remain
unspoken.
The fashion mainly in our neighbor-
hood was for the girls to go bare.
headed on these drives, and Sunday
afternoon and evening the dull rever.
beration Of wheels along the road,
and the distant rumble over nearby
bridges, told that Cupid's cohorts we're
bestirring themselves. In the winter
time there was of course the shifting
from buggies to sleighs and cutters,
and even the old-time bob-sleds, when
parties went out. Skating parties
were also popular, and at all seasons
they held the dances.
Bridge whist, needless to say, was
unknown. Progressive euchre" an
unknown quantity. Receptions
there were none, and as for "tea-pour
ing" or any such lack-a-daisaical per
formsnces, they were unheard Of
Cupid depended mostly on the red
wheeled buggies and the country
dances, and his success justified his
selections. OF course the time-honor
ed institution Of sparkling" was not
done away with. This interesting proc
ess, however, is mostly confined tc
Sunday nights, and may be, and usual
ly is protracted until around Monday
morning early, say close to one O'CLOCK
a. m. Sunday nights the lights ii
many a farm house shone out ovel
the fields, and inside the houses th'
various couples talked over theil
dances, and parties, their neighbor
hood topics and matters Of local inter
est, and scanned the family album
and gossiped and bantered one an
other.
And here, too, Cupid appeared be
hind the scenes, and, matrimonial.
inclined. woye the webs of mutua
trust and confidence between th
couples. and aided in unfolding th
mystery Of his divine art, Outside tn
stars cleaned. and the trees wayel
by still fields Inside, perhaps tn
organ sounded softly, OF a fire glowe
In an old-fashioned fireplace or in
more modern stove.
After the "cld folks" went to be-
and there was nothing to disturb tn
quiet Of indoors but the monotone c
the two responding voices, Cupid BE-
took himself to other times and spaces
confident that his spell was alread
progressing brayely
In the country papers the "corrt
spondents" from the various quarter
Of the township regularly reported a
these different counting bees, an
the usual Jokes were leveled at tn
swain when the paper made its al
pearance, Indeed, he would be som'
what disappointed n he thought thS
his comings and goings were to pas
unrecorded, and generally had r.
tort ready for the greetings which b
may be sure viii follow his appea
ance in public.
And how quickly marriage follow
on in the country And be sure thl
whoever are invited to the wedding
all the country round knows Of i
And the thoughtful groom, KNOWN
the custom of the country, provide
himself with various boxes Of cigar
and the newly-made bride cooks pie
tiiul quantities of toothsome Wand
and together they sit down in the
darkened home. awaiting with please
expectancy the arrival Of the band
neighbors intent on "shiyareeing
them.
With a fearsome blast from she
guns. dInner-horns. sleigh-bells, cor
horns, dinner-bells. cow.beils, etc, an
terrific din made by beating a su
pended circular saw with a sledg