But, whatever might be the differences of opinion on these
minor points, the children were uproariously agreed that there was
something to be exceedingly joyful about.
Next to the hat, two uncouth-looking machines which stood on the green
near the stocks, were the centers of interest. They were wooden
structures, somewhat resembling saw-horses. Beside each were several
boards, and close inspection would have shown that both the surface of
the horses and one side of these boards, were well smeared with rosin.
These were the horse-fiddles, contrived for the purpose of promoting
wakefulness by night, on the part of the silk stockings. Given plenty
of rosin, and a dozen stout fellows to each fiddle, drawing the boards
to and fro across the backs of the horses, pressing on hard, and the
resulting shrieks were something only to be imagined with the fingers
in the ears. The concert given to Squire Woodbridge the night
previous, had been an extemporized affair, with only one horse-fiddle,
and insufficient support from other instruments. To judge from the
conversation of the men and boys standing around, it was intended
to-night to give the Squire a demonstration which should quite compensate
him for the unsatisfactory nature of the former entertainment, and leave
him in no sort of doubt as to the sentiments of the people toward the
magistracy and silk stockings in general, and himself in particular.
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