ke a fiddle
talk," as the saying was, but "call off" and keep time and head, foot,
both arms and entire body as well, and at once. To describe his ability
more completely it might be said that he fiddled and danced at the same
time.

When the anticipated evening came, Manson and Liddy, as well as other
invited ones, arrived at the Newell barn, where everything was in
readiness. In the center of the large floor was a pile of unhusked corn
surrounded by stools and boxes for seats, and lighted by lanterns
swinging from cords above. No time was wasted, for Joe Dencie was there,
and every one knew that the best of a husking came after the corn was
disposed of. And how the husks flew! When a red ear was found by a girl
the usual scramble occurred, for unless she could run once around the
pile before the young man who discovered it could catch her, he claimed
a kiss. Manson, who sat next to Liddy, kept a sharp watch, for he didn't
intend to have some other fellow steal a march on him. He noticed that
she husked cautiously, and when presently he saw her drop an unhusked
ear by her side he quietly picked it up and found it was a red one. He
said nothing, but her action set him to thinking. It was not long ere
the pile of corn melted away, and then the floor was swept; Joe Dencie
took his place in one corner on a tall stool, and the party formed in
two lines for the Virginia reel.

There is no modern "function" that has one-half the fun in it that an
old-time husking-bee had, and no dance that can compare with an
old-fashioned contra-dance enjoyed in a big barn, with one energetic
fiddler perched in a corner for an orchestra, and six lanterns to light
the festivities! It was music, mirth, care-free happiness and frolic
personified. The floor may have been rough, but what mattered? The young
men's boots might have been a trifle heavy, but their hearts were not,
and when it came to "balance and swing," with the strains of "Money
Musk" echoing from the bare rafters, the girl knew she had a live
fellow's arm around her waist, and not one afraid to more than touch her
fingers lest her costume be soiled. Girls didn't wear "costumes" in
those days; they wore just plain dresses, and their plump figures,
bright eyes and rosy cheeks were as charming as though they had been
clad in Parisian gowns.

When the dance was over all were invited into the house to dispose of
mince pie, cheese, doughnuts and sweet cider, and then, with the moon