|
MICHIGAN CHAPTER 15 The Old French Habitants and their Ways
This froze solid late in the fall and generally so continued through the winter. Here the young men built a rude cabin of ample proportions, long and narrow, with huge chimney and fire-place at each end, and fitted out with tables and benches. This was known as the Hotel du Grand Marais. * Here on winter evenings the young folks gathered, driving thither in their carioles on the smooth ice along the margin of the river. Arriving, the well filled boxes and baskets were unloaded upon the tables and all sat down to a toothsome feast. This disposed of, the tables were cleared, shoved back against the wall, and dancing was the order until morning. The crisp winter air was a tonic for the appetite as well as an incentive to the vigorous exercise which followed. The military officers of the fort, who found time hanging rather heavily upon their hands, with only the dull routine of garrison duty to attend to, constituted an important element of the social life. They found plenty of pretty, attractive young women for partners at the balls. An officer in uniform somehow appeals to the feminine heart, and so the admiration was doubtless mutual.
Pony racing on the ice was always a. seasonable diversion for the men. Every Johnny Couteau had a pony of uncertain speed. He might challenge the whole town, or the whole town might challenge him, and then there were doings. Sometimes these races took place on the smooth ice along the margin of the river, but more frequently upon the Rouge, which being of sluggish current furnished ice which made an ideal track for that kind of sport, especially so on account of the curving of the channel which afforded spectators an unobstructed view. Every Sunday after mass the crowd gathered at the appointed place and the fun was on.
MICHIGAN
Page 5
|
|
Please help us keep this site online and to continue to bring sites like this one.
Thank you
|
