File:A book of country clouds and sunshine; (1897) (14783850843).jpg

Identifier: bookofcountryclo00john (find matches)
Title: A book of country clouds and sunshine;
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Johnson, Clifton, 1865-1940
Subjects: New England -- Social life and customs
Publisher: Boston, Lee and Shepard
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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which must be filled.Some morning the oxen, or the horses, are hitched to the longsled ; and with saws, poles, and grappling-irons, the men-folks startfor the ice. It is sloppy work ; but there are chances of diversify- I. WINTER LIFE «IN NEW ENGLAND 26 ini; it 1)V takini; along fishing-tackle, and establishing a skirmish-line of fish-holes in the neighborhood. Winter is a time of increased social activity. There are moredoings at the chui-ch ; the singing-school starts the first weekof December at the l\)wn Hall ; and the Chautauqua Club gathersin turn at the members houses e\ery Friday evening. Perhapsthe \illagers start a lyceum at the schoolhouse, and speak i)ieces,sing songs, have dialogues, and debate, Which is the most im-portant animal, the cat or the dog. and other important ques-tions. The chief object of the lyceums is the having a lot of fun ;and what is sought in debate is not culture, or disjjlay of onespowers as an orator, or the solution of great questions, but amuse-
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reaking Ott the Road ment. Culture, oratory, etc., come in incidentally; but the seriousold-time lyceum, which discussed regularly great national and moralcjuestions, is not to be found in many regions to-day. l^ut the cat- 2 7 ««A liOOK OF COUNTRY CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE and-dog debate, or the discussion of such topics as Which is themost destructive element, fire or water? and Which does itcost the most to dress, a man or a woman? are not withouttheir virtues ; for they at least stir thought and furnish health-ful amusement. For the children there are sliding and skating ; and some youth,about this time, suggests the wild scheme of clubbing togetherand hiring an omnibus for a grand sleighride of all the youngpeople. Some fine evening they all pile into the long sleigh, anddrive off behind the four horses with their jingling bells, forten or twelve miles, and have a turkey supper at midnight ata tavern. Afterward they may have a dance. Not always, fordancing is considered a doubtful am

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