Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-18
THREE YEARS IN A HOUSE OF RE-
FORMATION.
BY MRS. SARAH b. DURHo.
CONTINUED.

The time tor the cerem ony had errlNou, |
and the chapel bell announced the iac''
Those who we're gathered 10 groops began
TO hasten 70 the scene Of their Amusement,
A pArlor organ was there 10 be used on Gil 9
such occasions, aud Ada was Playing Q
lively march. They we're all within the {
chapel except Sip snd Suss, and one other :
that was expected. Ada resigned her seat :
at the organ 20 lady friend, aud vent out
at the door that led 20 the house. 10 q few
minutes she returned, with Jack just before {
her bringing the arm chair, and Ada en- !
tered with Grandma leaning on her arm, il
aud took the furnished seat. Next moment
the door opened, this time to admit the
bride and groom. A favorite hymn Of the
servants was sung, Ada playing an accom-
pAniment, and all present we're invited to ,
sing. /, was lively air. and the chorus /,
gave opportunity for = full volume Of voices.
Uncle John then said, Let Us pray" They ,
oil dropped upon their knees, and most OF
them with their hGsds upon the floor The
deep, bass voices IN loud and long amen
mingled With the shrill ones. The scene
would have been lndicrous il there had not
been such strong evidence Of sincerity and
devotion. When the prayer was ended Sip
aud Suss came forward and stood before
Uncle John. de began by explaining TO
them the nature Of the VOWS they were Aboat
10 take, aud looking Sip full in the face, en-
quired IT be vas prepared TO renounoe all
former loves aud to cleave to Susa, and her
only. Sip looked puzzled, aud TO sbsolve
himself from even the suspicion of loving |
another, said, Nov, MAssA, dat gal dat
lib on the p,satAtioH ober de Riber | cares |
no more boat dan dat ohils in dat chair
"No,' continued Uncle John, IL do not |
tnk 40 Cor
Any one while Susa lives buI her" He, |
he, be! MassA, never will, sure pop" he
exclaimed. Unele John continued, "And
you, SusA, you must love only Sip" "Yes,
MassA,n she replied. "NoW," continued
he, Take hold Of hands" "Yees," said
Sip and Susa in the same breath, and with
rs much gravity a. de could command, he
pronounced them husband aud wife. They
still held each other By the hand, and a.
they saw some Of the whites open the door
TO leave the chapel, Sip called out, lis dat
oil, MAssA?' Yes replied Uncle John
aud Ada struck up the organ, and they be-
gan TO dance. Mr.. Field ordered the set
tees to DO taken into the yard, and the
tables TO be carried in. Hannah was not
cook that day, but slipping out to the cook
house, she met Mrs. Field, who said to her,
The dinner will soon be on the tables"
She answered, ayes, Missus, nose dat,
bat thought would jes look ct De turkeys
in do oben, fear dey mite be . shade too
brown, and dat would be q shame on dis
'oAsion.' The servants we're seated, and
the ladies supplying them with turkey,
chicken, roast beef and other edibles. The
dinner ended, and the tables we're removed,
40 that the amusement Of the evening
might begin. Mr.. Field had procured a
hd1ler and Sip and Suss we're to lead the
dance. Susa was dressed in bright meri.
no, q present from MAssn Dick. The wore
the usual gay turbAn. Inc dancing Was
kept up till eight, without any cessation,
and the ladies and gentlemen in the house
we're for half al hour At time spectators.
Miss Dale was most Of the time in the chap.
oil in COMPANY with Dick or Ada, and was
greatly amused with the hilisrity Of the oc-
cAsion. IL was near time for the white
guests TO leave, as some had ten, some
twelve miles 10 drive TO reach their homes.
Ada said to her brother, Come with me
to she buffers pantry" They went to-
gether, and soon returned, Dick with q
huge punch bowl, and Ada with a large
pitcher. They went TO the chapel, and
soon the contents had disappeared. Ada
went tripping back, aud said, NOW, L ncle
John, we are ready for prayers ct the CHAP
el" Ready" he enquired; "You naughty
little mischlef-whAt do you mean b.
ready" "OA, nothing she replied; "Only
they have had good drink Of punch, aud
pray better after little refreshment." Un-
Gle John sud the whole party went to pray
ers, and they we're IN glorious stA:e OF eX-
oitement They roAred and screamed a.
the top Of their voices, and at every sen
tsnoe added long amen. When near the
close Jack opened the doors, aud 10 q loud
voice called out "Massa Dick, come out
here, quick, quick, hurry Mr.. Field bid
Jack stop q moment, aud enquired, is the
stable on Gre2" NO. MAssa,' he replied;
"Worser dan dat. De free niggers steal
ing all do chickens; l hear dc little pu!let
squeak = bit, aud den dey catch dat ole
rooster, and be lered right smart, tell
We and den ! ran for MAssA Dick Mr..
Field took his rifle, and going outside,
pointed ~ and discharged it, then gave n
handful OF blank cartridges 10 Dick and
told him 70 shoot them dead on the spot
Bill had unclaimed old Lion, the watch
dog, and be was making tracks toward
them When they found themselves sc
hoty pursued they climbed q tree, and
Lion stood at the foot barking. Dick was
firing in the direction of the tree, as he
knew the harmless. nature Of his proJ@e'iles
Soon Jack called Lion, aud he returned tG
the yard. Mr.. Field enqured OF Jack VIII
he called the dog; Jaok replied, Cause, MassA
| seed one on dem uiggors drop down dee
from de tree, aud ! didht want Lion u
chAw um oil up arter dey was ded Wheel
order was restored they sang cam pmeet
ing HYMN, and before the last word wa
unoksn the fiddle he'd announced n reel
in which they nearly all joined Tvelv
o'clock the chapel bell rang the signal OF tn
end Of the performance, and the testivs
was at an end. Such WAS plantation III
in the olden time.
CHAP. TX.
When the festivities Of the holidays wer
ended. Miss Dale informed them that be
very PLEASANT visit must DO brought to
close. She had made arrangements
leave next day on the early train. Nj
Field euquired what expense had been II
CURED Tor Ada and was informed only he
travelling expenses and her dress. II
paid the amount dus for these, and ser
one hundred dollars TO the Institution as q
annual donation. Ada accompanied he
father TO the station with Miss Dale and a
her father handed tbs passage ticket I
their friend, he slipped an envelope into he
hand saving accept this small token Of on
gratitude, from our dear Ada; aud when 20
have another vacation come and spend
with us. We shall welcome you to GU
home a, any time, and IL sickness or adver
sity overtAks you (which may Heaven for
bid make Field Place your home an
haven Of refuge. Ada held Miss Dale hrml
by the hand, Aobbiug like . child, and whe
the cars left the station abe was waving be
hand With big drops Of tears coursing owe
her face. MISS Dale gave no account of he
vial, to the Board, only 40 much as to sA
she had taken Ada to her friends who wer
greatly distressed at her absence, aud re
ioioed At her return. She paid 10 the Trpaa