ioo Corn-stalk Fiddles 



It was indeed surprising how available this 

 crude production proved as a musical instru- 

 ment. Youth and the environment counted 

 for a great deal, of course, and my Quaker 

 surroundings forbidding music, it was a sweeter 

 joy because a stolen one. 



I can pidlure days of forty years ago as 

 distinctly as though a matter of the present. 

 My cousin and myself, with Black Billy, 

 would often steal away and carry with us 

 one of the smaller barn doors. This we 

 would place in a sunny nook on the south 

 side of the stalk-rick, and while the fiddle 

 was being made, would part with our jackets 

 that we might dance the better. Billy was 

 soon ready, and with what a joyful grin, 

 rolling of his huge black eyes, and vigorous 

 contortion of the whole body would our 

 faithful friend draw from the corn-stalk every 

 note of many a quaint old tune ! And how 

 we danced ! For many a year after the old 

 door showed the nail-marks of our heavily- 

 heeled shoes where we had brought them 

 down with a vigor that often roused the energy 

 of old Billy, until he, too, would stand up and 

 execute a marvellous pas seut. Then, tired 

 out, we would rest in niches in the stalk-rick, 



