Murphy’s Law
Most of us modern folk have never heard the term “box supper weather.” In fact, most of us do not know what a “box supper” is.
Box supper weather is in the late fall, before winter starts. Usually by this time of the year, there has already been a killing frost that enriched the beauty of the colors in the timber. The watermelons and gardens are long gone, and pumpkins can be seen among the turnip patches not yet harvested. It will not be long before the persimmons will be getting ripe.
During this special time of year, most of the early schools in the county would have a “box supper.” This was a favorite means of raising money for the schools back in the 1800s and well into the early 1900s. The “box social” for churches evolved from this custom, and finally the “pie supper” which is used today to raise money from county politicians.
Though there are variations, the normal box supper began with the young ladies of the school district preparing lunches in specially decorated boxes. In these boxes could be cookies, a homemade pie, sandwiches, or even a full meal. Inside the boxes, each young lass would place a piece of paper with her name on it. At a specified time, these decorated boxes would be secretly taken into the school building so that no one would see the girl and the box together.
Of course, the married men knew their wife’s box and were expected to bid on it and get if for supper. The real competition was among the unmarried ladies and gentlemen. The men would bid on the box that was most attractive to them, and the winner would get to share the tasty contents with the young lady that made them. Perhaps a real date would then ensue.
The story is told of a very pretty young school teacher, Anne. She was a prize worth bidding on, and several young men of the school were anxious to get her box and eat with her. But Anne had a favorite boyfriend, Fred. He came by the school often and walked her home to her boarding place near the school.
Two very mischievous students, Bill and John, often hid in the bushes by the trail and listened in on the conversations between Anne and Fred. On the day of the box supper, they overheard Miss Anne telling Fred how to recognize her box. It would have a red, blue, and white ribbon bow on top of the white handle. He couldn’t miss it.
Of course, Bill and John immediately spread the news to the other young men who were interested in Miss Anne. But they didn’t stop there – they persuaded several young ladies to decorate their boxes the same way. The stage was now set for the event.
The box supper was a riot. The old timers said that this supper raised more money than any they could remember. When the first box was up for auction, the bidding was very lively.
Finally, one of the wealthier fellows got it and looked inside at the name. It wasn’t Miss Anne. He sat silently with a dejected look on his face.
Then the next box came up. It was identical to the one before. Again, the bidding went above a dollar. Once again, the high bidder was disappointed.
The bidding continued until six similarly decorated boxes had been auctioned off. Fred had been outbid on all the boxes. Now he had only three dollars. The next few boxes were different, but were snatched up for twenty-five or fifty cents. Then the last box came up – it, too, had the proper bow on the handle.
Fred started the bidding at twenty-five cents. Poor Fred got the box for the opening bid. All the opposition had spent their money on the counterfeit boxes, and he got the real one from Miss Anne.
Everyone found their lunch cooks and enjoyed the evening. For the first time in history, a school teacher’s box sold for the low bid. Bill and John stared through the window and laughed hysterically.
So, the box supper was a highlight in the rural community, partly because there were very few entertaining activities going on at that time, and partly because this was an evening of good and inexpensive entertainment.
This activity was enjoyed by the parents because for a while it took their minds off the problems that every family had in making a living.