in the log house. After dark a few of the neighbours came in and soon others followed until we had quite a large gathering, mostly young people. There were many expressions of good wishes that we might long enjoy our new home. Everybody seemed in good spirits. One of the neighbour boys came in with a suspicious looking parcel and soon we heard the thrum, thrum of the fiddle in one of the rooms. This was followed up by a lively little tune. This was just to start cautiously, to see how it would be received; there was no pro- test made. Mother was a woman with a fine sense of expediency, and always had the respect and goodwill of the neighbours. She would not give offence by stopping the young people in their happy time, by forbidding the music. There being no protest another tune was giv- en and soon some of the light-footed ones tripped about on the nice smooth floor. Before we realized it a real housewarming was in full glow. It was a modest affair compared with what would have been in one of the neighbour’s houses on a similar occasion. Even with this break we did not take to dancing. It was not always so modest an affair as it was that evening. Dances were nearly always kept up all night. Frequently liquor was used freely and some rough conduct, and an occasional fight, were indulged in. But with these exceptions the dance was a merry time. A wedding without a dance occurred very seldom among the Catholic people. With them the marriage was celebrated at the chapel. A great procession of carriages, or sleighs, followed the happy couple. It was an imposing sight to see these processions. The carriages and horses were gaily decked, and the friends of the couple arrayed in their finest clothes and adorn- ments. The wedding tour was usually a drive around “The Point”. This tour ended at the home of the bride, where a feast was spread .and a merry time enjoyed in which neighbours and friends joined.
Card Playing and the Rafi‘le
Card playing and the raffle were favourite amusements in the set- tlement. They were not sanctioned in Protestant homes, but they were not so Strictly objected to as was dancing. We very seldom took part in them. Card playing by itself was mostly for enjoyment, but the raffle was for gain. It was a form of gambling. Each partici-
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