Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-10-18
didn't Hold Their Pease.

Three marriages of colored lovers were
10 have taken place at negro church in
this settlement few nights since, but
owing TO circumstances over which the
officiating clergyman had no control, only
one wedding really ACQUIRED. The first
pair who presented themselves at the altar
got along quite smoothly through the
solemn ceremony, and we're finally pro-
nounced husband aud wife. The next couple
who presented themselves were not destined
to get quite SO serenely through the rite
matt imonial, for when the preacher got to
that part Of the service addressed to those
present who possibly might have obiee-
tions TO the completion of the ceremony, a
staid and settled looking old black man
rose deliberately from his seat, and in a
tone Of voice good deal above whisper
said, "Mr. Preacher, don't you finish that
piece of business, for that woman ia my
wife, and l amt going to hold my peace
while she marries another niger" This
was a settler. The preacher closed his
book, and the disappointed couple retired
from the alkar, the half,made bridegroom
saying it was mistake on his part,
and that he wouldn't for all Nash
vile marry another mans wife. The
disapE Sinted woman did not take the
discontinue quite so calmly. She haughtily
left the church, swearing she would marry
who she pleased, no matter what that old
fool said about getting license from Mr..
Nichols office. When the confusion pro-
duced by this little episode had someS hat
subsided, Two more candidates fol the ma
trimonial yoke rose from their places and
advanced to the altar. Again the preacher
| opened his book and once more read oyer
the marriage service. And then again he
said if anybody here knows any reason
why this man and woman should not be
made husband and wife, speak now or for
ever hereafter hold your peace. For the
moment nobody present seemed to object
to the bans, and the finishing touch was
about to be given the impressive ceremony
when the church door was thrown open
with bang, and in rushed a woman,
whose appearance denoted business. Fran
tieally dashing her bonnet aside, she
swiftly made her way into the group around
the minister, and imperatively:cslled upon
that Individual to "hold on" The preacher
"held Oh" to hear what the intruder had
TO say, and was plainly forbidden to 60
any further with the business. Asking
Why, the new conner replied, "because that
man ia my husband, and amt got no Court
house papers TO marry anybody else" Here
was another settler. The preacher closed
his book in despair and said they must
settle the matter between them. The two
women looked yeRgence at each other, and
the principal cause of the trouble looked
around for his hat. Kindly disposed
members Of the church wanted to pour oil
on the troubled waters but didn't have
any. When silence again ruled the hour
the preacher said that, owing TO its late,
nes and other circumstances not necessary
to mention, there would be no more mar
riages for the future at present, and ht
would therefore proceed to say the bene
diction, because he had nothing else Just
then 10 say. The meeting therefore ad
iOurned.