134 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Feb. 16, IHys. 



he ^^ortBtr[m ^am[isi 



JONAS ASKEM'S COON SUPPER. 



It was a cold, crispy night lace in November, a good 

 many years ago, that tlae tavern of Jonas Askem, promi- 

 nently situated on one corner of the intersection of the 

 two main roads wliich passed tlirough the center of the 

 little village of Pine Valley, was brilliantly illuminated 

 within, and from it came the mirthful voices and laughter 

 of a happy party. Without, a large lamp on a high post 

 served as a beacon to the distant traveler and lighted the 

 broad porch that covered the entrance of the hostelry. 



The sound of rattling wheels coming from up the road 

 approached nearer and nearer, until a sprightly yoimg 

 team of bay horses, drawmg a pretty, red-wlieeled buggy, 

 pulled up to the hitching rail. The driver jumped out and 

 proudly assisted his companion to tlu'ow aside the robes 

 that enveloped her and ahght. Then, as she tripped up 

 the steps without further assiiitance and disappeared iu the 

 doorway, he jumped back into his buggy and drove around 

 to the rear of the tavern, where he carefully blanketed his 

 horses under the long shed, which was already nearly 

 lilled with otlier teams. When he had assm-ed himself 

 that they were safely and comfortably cared for he 

 returned and entered the door of the tavern to find him- 

 self in the midst of a jolly crowd of yoimg people who had 

 ak'eady welcomed his pretty partner, who now stood 

 smiling sweetly iu her party dress of plaid and brightly- 

 colored ribbons. He was cordially greeted with "Hello, 

 Hank," "How de do. Hank Bender?" and as cheerily re- 

 turned the salutations as he passed through the throiag to 

 lay aside his overcoat. 



It was the occasion of the Gxst dance of the season; and 

 the cause of it was coons. 



Some time before, when Hank and Silas Larkum, the 

 noted coon hvmter, liad stopped at the tavern to separate 

 after a successful night's coon hunt, Jonas had volunteered 

 to give a coon supper and a dance, if the himters would 

 furnish the coons. Silas, whose love for hunting, and 

 Hank, who Kked anjiihing in the way of a frolic, readily 

 gave their promise, which now being fulfilled, had only to 

 wait for .Jonas to fulfill his. So now, in response to the 

 general invitation that had been extended throughout the 

 community, those m'Iio liked to dance and a good many 

 who did not, but wi.shed to meet their near and distant 

 neighbors for a good time, assembled in numbers so large 

 that the best room would not hold them all, and the bar- 

 room became a genei'al resort for the eldest and for most 

 of the married men folks, who did not feel in gallantry 

 bound to remain with theh- gentler companions while 

 waiting for the dance to begin. The supper was to be 

 spread at 12 o'clock, Jonas said, and he wanted everybody 

 to "git up a good appetite 'u' enj'y theirselves, fer lie had 

 coons fer them 't liked 'em, 'n' sumthin' fer them 't 

 didn't." 



Jonas was attired in his best frock coat and ' 'biled sliirt," 

 and moved around among his guests cheerily sliaking their 

 hands and wishing them a good time. Silas Larkum was 

 there, modest and retiring. He was imcomf ortable in his 

 "store clothes" and confined himself to a corner of the bar 

 room, where he felt more at ease among the men of his 

 acquaintance, and could not be induced to enter the parlor 

 in the presence of the ladies. Some one had given him a 

 cigar, which, out of respect for the donor, he was awk- 

 wardly ti'ying to smoke, but, after biting and chewing at 

 it until it was more than half consumed, the wrong way, 

 he threw it away in disgust and ht his pipe. 



Through the door leading from the bar room into the 

 hall and adjoining parlor came the joyous shouts and 

 screaming laughter of the feminine part of the assemblage, 

 intermingled with the coarser voices of their male com- 

 panions, who were out-doing themselves in their efforts to 

 furnish wit and make themselves agreeable to their sweet- 

 hearts. At length the discordant tuning of the fiddles 

 caused a loll iu the hilarity and brought everyone to a 

 sense of expectation. Those who were outside began to 

 flock to the large dining room where the floor was cleared 

 of its tables and chairs, and the fiddlers, seated in an 

 elevated position were thumbing their strings, while a 

 brisk young man in a low-cut vest and large green necktie 

 busied himself about his duties as floor manager, as with 

 an air of deignful importance he stepped to tlie middle of 

 the room and called out, "Choose yer pardners for a plain 

 quadrille." . 



Hank Bender offered hLs arm to his blushing com- 

 panion and proudly stalked to the head or the room, where 

 they were soon joined by three other couple who formed 

 the first set. Other sets followed the coaxing call of the 

 floor manager, "two more couple this way; one more 

 couple this way," until the floor was filled and the fiddlers 

 who had been patiently waiting, drew their bows across 

 the strings once more to assure themselves that they were 

 in tune, and the leader, with a great flourish of his bow, 

 struck up "Dan Tucker," accompanied by the stentorian 

 voice of the caller, who, following the tune, gave the first 

 command, "Honor yer pardners, every one," and each 

 dancer courtesied according to his or her own idea 

 of politeness, some merely nodding, others bowing nearly 

 to the floor. The next figure, ' 'First four forward 'n' back," 

 set every foot shuffling as the two couples moved forward 

 and backed to their places. "Sides the same'" gave the 

 opposite sides opportunity to display theu- graces, and the 

 dance was well on its way. 



The spectators who stood around the room or fiUed the 

 doorways had enough to occupy their attention now in 

 watching the movements of the dancers and listening to 

 the homely but agi-eeable strams of the music and all con- 

 versation ceased. The man who handled first fiddle was 

 soon warmed up to his work, and rasped his bow across the 

 striugs as if he had a given time to saw them in two; and 

 the second, who seemed to use only the bass strings of his 

 instrument, did so with half closed eyes, as if his work 

 was more monotonous than ijleasing, while both patted 

 the floor with his foot as earnestly as if that member was 

 alone responsible for a correct rendition of the tune, and 

 if one were to quietly step on it the music would stop. 



According to the fashion of the day, those who occupied 

 the floor danced tliree "setts" before retiring, the second 

 to quicker music than the first, and the third usually a 

 i (>• or a hornpipe; so with the ending of the second sett, 

 afwas announced by the sing-song "promenade all!" the 

 onlookers, who had by this time become sufficiently in- 

 terestadj hegan to look up their partners for the next 

 dance. 



After a short rest, during which the fiddlers thumbed 

 and tuned their strings again, and before the dancers had 

 fully recovered their breath, the lively strains of "The 

 Devil's Dream" straightened every back in anticipation of 

 the hard work to come. 



The figures were called so rapidly in succession now 

 that it required lively movements to keep up with them, 

 and by the time "sashay, all !" and "ally-man-left!" Avas 

 gone through with they were all glad enough to hear 

 "promenade, aU— t' yer seats!" Tlien as the fiddlers 

 ceased plajang and the couples half staggered from their 

 exertion ofl: the floor, laughter and conversation was re- 

 sumed. The second fiddler woke up and the two laid 

 aside their instruments and crossed the floor toward the 

 bar room as if they, more than any one else, needed some- 

 thing to refresh tliem. 



Now that the dance was fairly inaugnirated, the com- 

 pany began to seek comfortable places and social compan- 

 ionship. Some resorted to the parlor and others to the 

 bar room again, where, after a word or two of approving 

 comment, the coversation turned to diflierent topics. 

 Silas, who had been an interested spectator in the door- 

 way, Avas in his old place again, filling his pipe for an- 

 other smoke. A stout, ruddy-faced old gentleman, Avhose 

 countenance beamed with good nature, notwithstanding 

 that he occupied the exalted and dignified position of 

 justice of the i^eace, moved about, condescendingly gi*eet- 

 ing one and another with a friendly word. He casually 

 stopped with extended hand and inquhed: "Weil, Silas, 

 I see you are making yourself comfortable. How be you?' 



"Purtj^ weU," said Silas, taking the proffered hand with- 

 out rismg, and scratching a match on the side of his 

 chair he continued, as he lighted his ijipe, "How be you 

 and j^our folks. Mister Banks?" 



"Well, we've nothing to complain of. Most of us is 

 here, I guess. Polly and Sarah and Mary and Jane came 

 over Avith us in the democrat, David and Philip hitched 

 up and Avent over the ridge after their gals and I haA'en't 

 seen them since, but I guess they're around somewhere. 

 You haven't been over our way lately, Silas?" 



"Was over there day b'fore yesterday, huntin'," said 

 Silas. 



"Was you? Well, I didn't see you. Why didn't you 

 stop and get a snack to eat? We've got some good cider in 

 the cellar, too." 



"Wal, I didn' heA' time 'f I'd a thought on it. I scart 

 up a flock o' pa'tridges just b'fore I come t' your house, 'n' 

 I had to sheer 'round," said Silas, as if eating and drink- 

 ing Avere of no consequence Avhen he Avas hunting. 



"WeU, well; I don't hunt any noAvadays, but I Uke to 

 thmk hoAv I used to enjoy it when I Avas a young man. 

 You're getting pretty Avell along in years. How old be 

 you, Silas?" 



"Fifty-six," replied Sflas. 



"Dear me, there ain't much difference between tis then. 



I'm fifty-nine, and it don't seem so long ago when Ave 

 were boys and Avent to school together. You haven't for- 

 gotten the old log school house and the schoolmaster Avith 

 his beech gad, that he could reach with from one end of 

 the bench to the other, I guess, and the time we boys tied 

 him fast in his chair Avhile he was sleeping at noon hour. 

 I Avonder you neA^er settled doAsm and got married, Sflas." 



There was a merry tAvinkle in his que.stioner's eye, and 

 Silas might have suspected that the remark AA^as as the 

 priming to the XJump that was being Avorked upon hirn in 

 order to learn hoAv a certain little love aft'air in years long 

 gone by had terminated, for he blew a fresh cloud of 

 smoke, and with a cautious little chuckle returned, 

 "Mebbe you're lookin' for a job. Squire, but ye can't 

 make nothin' out o' me onless ye let me hev one o' your 

 gals." 



"You can have either one of them, but you'll have to 

 fix it up yourself. Now, there's Jane, she'd make you a 

 good liousekeeper; but you'll have to get rid of your old 

 dog if you take her." This Avith a merrier twinkle. 



"Wal, I don't think Jane 'd have me since Dan scart the 

 coAv and upset the milkin'." The remembrance of which 

 caused him to chuckle again, in which the Squire joined 

 heartily. 



Tlie incident referred to had happened a year before 

 when Silas's dog, striking the trail of a fo.x that had 

 passed through the barnyard only a few moments before 

 Jane had seated herself to milk, gaA'e tongue so sudden 

 and startling as to cause the coav to jump, kicking oA'er 

 the milkx^ail, and Silas, Avho came upon the scene just in 

 time to see the milking stool roU one Avay and Jane the 

 the other, Avaa treated to an outburst of temper that made 

 him give her a Avide berth eA^er after. 



"I gu.ess I'flAvait till Don dies, 'n' he's purty healthy 

 yet, b'fore I speak to Jane," said Silas as a yomig man 

 tapped the 'squire on the shoulder and informed him that 

 he was Avanted in the baUroom. "Why, bless me, what's 

 up now," he exclaimed as he turned to foUoAv the messen- 

 ger to the dining-room, where he found nearly all the 

 older folks gathered in a group, from the midst of Avhich 

 Jonas AA^as explainuig that "the young folks 's had their 

 fim 'n' naoAV the old folks 's goin' tu hev some tew. The' 

 can't nobody 't's less 'n fifty nor more 'n a hundred dance 

 in this set 'ceptin' ladies, 'n Ave old fellers 's goin' tu show 

 you youngsters soniethin' 't ye never see before," folloAved 

 by a dozen "Oh, my's!" from the older ladies and twice as 

 many shouts of approval from the younger ones. The idea 

 took AA^ell and those who Avere qualified began to look 

 around for partners. 



Jeremiah Wixon, a gray-bearded old man of sixty -five, 

 whose feet had been constantly shifting during the pro- 

 gress of the dance, noAV straightened his bent shoidders 

 Avith the remark that "The' wa'ntno better dancer 'round 

 these parts when I wasayoungman,"and briskly stepped 

 across the floor and awkAvardly but politely offered his 

 arm to his better half, but Mrs. Wixon coquettishly shrank 

 back, Avhile her eyes and face beamed Aviththe returning 

 beauty of former yeai-s, as .she simperinglychided her lord, 

 "Jeremiah Wixon, ain't you ashamed o' yourself, to think 

 't I'd make such a show o' myself!" 



"Wal, noAv, Mari, ye didn't use to think so when all the 

 young fellers was runnin' after ye, cause ye was the 

 purtiest gal 'round here, 'n' the best dancer, too, 'n' me a 

 breakin' my neck to get in ahead of 'em," gallantly 

 coaxed Jeremiah, and added, as he intended a fm-ther 

 compHment: "Ye needn't Tse ashamed o' yerself if I 

 ain't." Then three or four of the young ladies who were 

 interested listeners began to coax and finaUy prevafled 

 upon the good lady to get up and blushmgly take the arm 

 of her partner, Avho led her out, accompanied by ex- 

 clamations of "only to think!" and "I'U never do sich a 

 thing again; no, never!" 



But Mrs. Wixon's courage was stronger when she f oimd 

 herself at the head of a set composed of people of about 

 her own age, among Avhom Avere buxom Mrs. Banks and 

 the hostess, Avhose ruddy faces, like her oAvn, A\'ere glow- 

 ing with excitement. After much persuasion and the loss 

 of a good deal of time there were enough of the old- 

 timers on the floor to justify the floor manager in giving 

 the signal to begin. 



The first fiddle Avas almost through with the first bar of 

 "Pike's Peak" when the second began its monotonous 

 accompaniment, and, luckily for the stiffened joints of 

 the dancers, the tune was of a dolorous character, which 

 gave tliem an opportunity to keej) up with the figures as 

 they Avere called and prepare them for what Avas to come, 

 so that by the time the first and second sets were tlirough 

 they Avere all fairty limbered up, though panting Avith 

 excitement. Mi-s. Wixon, Avhose avoirdupois began to 

 tell upon her, declared, Avhfle resting after the second sett, 

 that she could never go through the next. 



"Yes ye can, Mari," encouraged Jeremiah, "ye'r better 

 'n' half the yotmg folks yet." 



As if they needed any Avarning of what Avas to come 

 the floor manager announced that the next set Avould be 

 "sumthin' lively," Avhereat Jonas shouted to the musi- 

 cians, "Jist give us the best ye kin, Bill; there's nothin' 

 too good fer us," and BiU, Avith a Avink at the caUer, de- 

 clared that the best thing he knew "fer sich lively old 

 gents Avas a tune 't' he used to play over 't Vanetten Avdien 

 folks wanted sumthin' quick 'n' devilish was 'Sich a 

 Gittin' Up Stairs.' He hadn't played it in a good while, 

 but 'flowed 't he c'ld keep up with 'em if they 'flowed to 

 try it." 



"Let 'er come 's lively 's ye know hoAv," .shouted irre- 

 pressible Jeremiah. "We're gittin' tired o' restin'." 



The fiddlers again thumbed and saAved their strings to 

 be sm-e that they were in tune — did any one ever see a 

 fiddler at a country dance who did not have to tune his 

 fidcUe at the end 'of every sett?— and presently BiU an- 

 nounced himself ready. 



If these old stagers ever danced to quicker time they 

 had no leisure to think of it noAv. Figm-es were called so 

 rapidly in succession that there Avas danger of a break- 

 down, but they bravely persisted. Jeremiah kicked oft' 

 his boots and brought forth applause from the audience 

 as he rattled off a jig in his stockinged feet. Jonas SAVung 

 liis partner twice around Avith an ease that Avould haA^e 

 been impossible at any other time, and as the music in- 

 creased in quickness" the rest gained strength from the 

 excitement, and amid the cheering and clapping of hands 

 by the onlookers, the dance ended Avith a promenade that 

 exhausted every participant, and betAveen breaths Jonas 

 chaUenged his younger guests to do as AveU, whUe Jere- 

 miah, who needed assistance as much as his partner, 

 staggered Avith her to a seat, where she sat speechless and 

 unable to use the fan that was handed to her. 



"NoAV, then, young man," said Jeremiah as he puUed 

 on his boots, to the one Avho brought them to him, "We've 

 sot ye an example. If ye can beat it, do it." Then still 

 weak, he rose and crossed the floor to the barroom, Avhere 

 he found tht- othei- .ui oyboardsstiU panting and proclaim- 

 ing their superiority. 



Jonas soon added his presence to the conpany, and 

 passing from one to another of the old fellow.s, Avhisper- 

 ing a Avord to each he seemed to create a mysterious 

 understanding bet^v(•eu them, foi- as Vie passed out of a 

 door at the rear end of the bar, tipping a Avink to Silae -as 

 he Avent, he Avas folio vs^ed so closely by those A\dio Avere in 

 the secret as to cause one j'oung man to reuuirk to his 

 neighbor, "Wonder what them folks 's goin' to do now." 

 Nor, to his satisfaction, did he solve the mystery Avhen 

 they returned with twinkling eyes and smacking lix>s soon 

 after. 



The dancing Avas varied, as country dances are. There 

 had been a turn or two at "Virginy reel" and the "lan- 

 ders," but the latter was hai-dly a success, OAving to the 

 inability of the musicians to play it correctly, and it ended 

 much like a "plain quadrflle," or a "cotillion," as the 

 floor manager was pleased to term them, though Avhere 

 the difference existed Avas better known to hunself than 

 any one else. However, it mattered little to the comxxmy, 

 who seemed to derive as much pleasure from one as the 

 other. 



For the benefit of a half dozen or so of those who made 

 some pretense to a higher order of cahsthenics, a Avaltz 

 and a schottisch Avas once or tAvice essayed, but as these 

 barred out the rest Avhose knowledge extended no further 

 than the ordinary square dance and took up the timt; that 

 Avas thought might be better employed, there was no en- 

 couragement for repetition and the amusement continued 

 to the end of a particularly lively hornpiije, Avhen Jonas 

 entered from the kitchen, bringing Avith him a savory 

 odor of cooking and stood Avaiting to be heard. 



When the time came he stepped forward, drew the lap- 

 pels of his coat together and assuming as dignified a man- 

 ner as he could command said: "Gentlemen and ladies, 

 ahem, I'll hev tu ask ye ter give us the dLnui' room a 

 spell. Ye'U find plenty o' room in the parlor 'n' the bar- 

 room, 'n' I hope ye'll enj'y yerselves the best Avay ye kin 

 imtU Ave're ready for ye. AVe're going to hev su^'per 

 naoAV." And Avith a graceful bow he returned to the 

 kitchen, Avhfle the company dispersed to other quarters, 

 leaving a few of the elder and some of the younger ladies, 

 who Avere delegated to the work to draw out the tables 

 from the walls and cover them Avith their snoAvy Avhite 

 cloths, and the rattling of plates and knives and forks 

 furnished SAA^eeter music to the fiddlers, at least, than they 

 had been able to supplj^. And so wefl had the host and 

 hostess regulated their iilans that it was not long until 

 Mrs. Askem entered the parlor and announced that sup- 

 per was ready, and Jonas the barroom to say, "Come, 

 men, git yer Avimin 'n' come to supper." 



K the company had not before given any thought to 

 the inner man, there was enough in the complete trans- 

 formation that had been made in so short a time to re- 

 mind them of it. Tavo long roAvs of linen-covered tables 

 extended from one end of the room to the other. Before 

 each chair, that was pushed closely up to the table, were 

 a crossed knife and fork and a glass holding a Avhite nap- 

 kin whfle promiscuously through the center stood coA'ered 

 tmeens and holders of celerj^, cake and j^rescrves, and 

 conveniently near at one end was a large table presided 

 over by Jonas, who stood with a long apron covering his 

 whole front from chin to feet, attended by a bevy of 

 young ladies in aprons ready to carry away the plates as 

 they were filled by the host. This was the sideboard, 

 loaded with large platters of carved meats, principally 

 turkey, chicken and roasted coon, and as if to promote 



