Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1875 — A Centennial “Husking.” [ARTICLE]

A Centennial “Husking.”

The Boston Journal of a recent date says: The home of N. P. Banks, on Main street, in Waltham, was last evening the scene of a royal frolic improvised in aid of the National Centennial by a committee of ladies acting under the inspiring leadership of Mrs. S. D. Warren. Gen. Banks lent a helping hand, and kindly threw open his mansion and barn for the entertainment, which was nothing less than a genuine, old-fashioned husking. Gen. Banks, who makes “ success a duty,” raised this year about 200 bushels of corn, 100 bushels of which was placed in the middle of the barn floor in a rick, with seats on either side. In order the more successfully to realize to the full the fun attending the discovery of the red ears, 100 of these were scattered throughout the windrow. The barn was lighted up with lanterns, and in one corner a stand was erected for the musicians, Hall’s Metropolitan Band, of Boston. The barn is located a short distance from the house, with which it was connected for the occasion by a covered way, a large marquee in the center forming a conspicuous feature of the arrangements. The interior of this was brilliantly illuminated with Chinese lanterns. Gen. Banks has recently added an L to his house, for the purposes of a library’, and this apartment in the rough was decorated with flags and bunting, presenting altogether a truly patriotic and appropriate appearance. An admission fee of fifty cents was charged the visitors, and, no expenses whatever having been incurred, the receipts, which amounted to a considerable sum, all went to aid the woman’s denart-

mentof the Centennial Exhition. The guests began to arrive soon after seven o’clock, and soon the house and barn were crowded, the General and Mrs. Banks being assisted in receiving, their guests by their accomplished daughters, Miss Minnie Sargent and Maud. The husking commenced about eight o’clock; young and old entering alike into the sport, demanding, receiving and paying forfeits as one after another lucky one discovered a red ear. The husking continued about an hour, at the expiration of which time the company were invited to a substantial eolation, such as was served to the boys and girls of New England 100 years ago.’ This was a gratuity on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Banks and consisted of baked beans, brown bread, squash, apple and mince pies, doughnuts and cheese, with coiiee and sweet cider. The beans and brown bread came smokiift? hot from the ovens, while the cider for the Occasion was pressed out yesterday afternoon, and consequently unfermented and harmless. At uxe conclusion of the supper the company joined m dancing, and prolonged the festivities until a iafcg hour. (New York) stores offer silks at a song," and an innocent editor of that city can now see no excuse for lathes of good voices going without plenty of good" dresses. j