The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-10-09
For tho Westerly Echo.
g Big Preachin'" in Carolina.

attended by" Black Maria. !" a stout jetty
negress, decked out in most snowy style,
in a WI ite muslin flounced dress, the full
skirt of which was protected from the
contamination Of mud and dewy grass by
hanging some six or eight inches clear
of the tops of her thick leather shoes.
Her straw bonnet and ebony neck were
gloriously adorned with Haunting red
ribbons, and the muslin inserting in hel
voluminous flowing sleeves showed to
excellent advantage over the black back
ground which her fat arms afforded.
She wore neither shawl nor cape aud her
big hands were bare. .....
Maria," said l "you have forgotten
your gloves
ooh, dare. Missus | done took 'em
out afore | started, and when | cum off
| jis' clean forgot 'em Yaw, ha ha
All the way to church, the street was
alive with passengers. Negroes of all
shades, sizes, qualities and conditions,
from the tiny black baby in arms to the
old crone of seventy, or. perhaps, judy
ing by appearances, hundred years,
were continually passing us; aud the
ludicrous effect of their outlandish ad-
ornngs was often almost too much for
my Yankee gravity. Flaunting, latter
ed laccs, faded ribbons, collars of all
Of shapes, fashions and sizes,
strings of beads, Aashy jewelry, and
tinkling ornaments together with as
many varieties of bonpets as the shifting
fashions of the past thirty or Fl 6ty years
could invent, were paraded by US
Now aud then an ark ISL, piney-
wood team, lie an and dilapidated, would
push its way among the crowd, toting
its dowdy looking occupants to the
preachin'. This would, perhaps, be
followed by an aristocratic carriage with
neatly dressed ebony driver, perched
upon his high seat, looking down with
infinite disgust upon the free poor peo-
pie in the go-cart before him.
Once, side glimpse of tall, manly
form, of snowy coat and unmentionables, $,
shiny hat and cane, suggested to me
the idea of gentleman dandy Look
ing around to take better survey of the
establishment, found it to be dark,
out mouthed, crisp haired son of Africa,
stalking by us in his Sunday dignity.
OATS my ole man him in de white
cut and pants said black Maria, with a
GIN, after he lad passed US
Needn't try to make me believe that
Maria. He's the smartest looking fell
low I've seen. l really thought twas
some fine gentleman, till l looked at
him Closer
Yes, you thought twas some right
pcart young fellcr cum to walk wild ye
tn the preachin'. Dat's it. | knows
desc young missusses. But don't he
shine like ? and her eyes followed him
with a look of admiring pride.
We reached the banks of the stream,
and succeeded in gaining a favorable
foothold upon the gnarled, twisted roots
of a clump of forest trees, whose leafy
limbs, while they sheltered the truly
mixed multitude, hung far out over the
turbid stream. 1t was Withholding
place-a picturesque blending of foam
ing water, rough, Jagged ledges of gra-
mite, and abundant vegetation. The
swift stream 1--WE. were just below and
opposite the failsl dashing, and foaming
along its oft obstructed pathway, with
ceaselsss roar, forcing its way over piles
of rock, around sturdy stumps and
clumps Of trees, would have been beau
tful, but for the yellow, muddy hue
which it borrows from its clayey banks.
Oh, l love our clear, sparkling New
streams Nowhere have l
seen river that would exchange for
our own little Pawcatuck, with its clear,
blue waves, and its snowy sails.
The single candidate was a hard look
ing customer one of the hinty stamp,
nCnc the less so to me from what had
heard say Of him, viz, that he was the
neanest man in the country, up to all
sorts Of niger trading, and had taken
shelter in the church, that he might the
EASIER hide his villainy.'
1t seems that trading as a
,us ness, is not really considered respect
bile about here, at least by the better
lass Of people.
The ceremony ended, We repaired to
he church, to 6nd hard seats, foods of
obacco spittle, aud terribly crowded