126 THE FOGY DAYS AND NOW; 



in that section, was made of puncheons, split out from the 

 forest trees and laid on chestnut or wild locust sleepers, and, 

 consequently, quite springy. Chairs in Rabun County were 

 not then so plentiful as they now are in Atlanta, and it was 

 not an unpopular custom for two of the young people to sit on 

 the same chair together and in a dance, frequently a couple 

 would occupy the floor, especially in a break-down. 



I had been challenged by the belle of the valley to single 

 combat and knew I was in for it, but had fully determined to 

 be on hand when she got through. I led Miss Mary D, a few 

 turns up and down the hall, stopped in the center where we 

 made our bows, forwarded and back, swung corners and circled 

 all, crossed over and back, then the fun commenced, I made 

 a pass and she coquetted, I cornered and she chassed, I 

 shuffled and she sidewized, I pigeon- winged and she wire-toed, 

 I double-shuffled and she gave the toe-whiz, I gave a jim-crow 

 lick and she kill-krankled, I struck a break-down and she hit 

 the hurricane, I went into a jig and she jiggareed, and for 

 every lead I'd make she'd call me and go one better ; now and 

 then we'd change sides and cross back into another break- 

 down, and it was go it Miss Mary, hurry Calif orny, and Jack 

 Bradley seemed to have got inspiration on " Rye Straw." 

 Major Gibson beat the fiddle strings with straws, one fellow 

 beat a triangle, several were patting and every gal was keep- 

 ing time on the floor with her feet, and the heads all around 

 the room were bobbing up and down with the spring of the 

 elastic floor. Now and then some chaj) would sing out, "go it 

 frolic, yer dady's rich and no poor kin ; " " hurry Miss Mary, 

 come down to it Californy," and we were both doing our very 

 level best. Miss Mary was a picture — to say she looked a thing 

 of life would be but a feeble and emaciated expression. I can 



