Part 10 (1/2)
”'Right out in the open air?' he asked.
”'Yes, standin' right in the open field, whar she fell.'
”'Well, sir,' says 'Indiany,' 'all I've got to say is, _if she'd dropped in our parts, the cattle would have licked her up afore sundown!_'
”The preacher raised both his hands at such an irreverent remark, and the old gentleman laughed himself into a fit of asthmatics; what he didn't get over till he came to the next change of horses. The Hoosier had played the mischief with the gravity of the whole party; even the old maid had to put her handkerchief to her face, and the young lady's eyes were filled with tears for half an hour afterward.
The old preacher hadn't another word to say on the subject; but whenever we came to any place or met anybody on the road, the circus man cursed the thing along by asking what was the price of salt.”
Anne Bache
THE QUILTING
The day is set, the ladies met, And at the frame are seated; In order plac'd, they work in haste, To get the quilt completed.
While fingers fly, their tongues they ply, And animate their labors, By counting beaux, discussing clothes, Or talking of their neighbors.
”Dear, what a pretty frock you've on--”
”I'm very glad you like it.”
”I'm told that Miss Micomicon Don't speak to Mr. Micat.”
”I saw Miss Bell the other day, Young Green's new gig adorning--”
”What keeps your sister Ann away?”
”She went to town this morning.”
”'Tis time to roll”--”my needle's broke--”
”So Martin's stock is selling;”- ”Louisa's wedding-gown's bespoke--”
”Lend me your scissors, Ellen.”
”_That_ match will never come about--”
”Now don't fly in a pa.s.sion;”
”Hair-puffs, they say, are going out--”
”Yes, curls are all in fas.h.i.+on.”
The quilt is done, the tea begun- The beaux are all collecting; The table's cleared, the music heard- His partner each selecting.
The merry band in order stand, The dance begins with vigor; And rapid feet the measure beat, And trip the mazy figure.
Unheeded fly the moments by, Old Time himself seems dancing, Till night's dull eye is op'd to spy The steps of morn advancing.
Then closely stowed, to each abode, The carriages go tilting; And many a dream has for its theme The pleasures of the Quilting.
Fitz-Greene Halleck