The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-05
A COlOred Wedding.


the rural districts, and that where women
and men alike work in the field there is,
from necessity, but little refinement in
the home. Yet, in many places thcre Is
evidence of home comforts and woman's
handiwork; evidence that freedom is
here, and that an effort is made to initiate
The customs of the more favored class.
Some Of these efforts are grotesque car
features, and yet not even to be smiled
at whom we remember the generations
past in which these people have not been
men and women, but chattels, differing
from the oxen and mules they drove
only that they we're worth more money.
While up at the plantation each of the
white visitors received dainty, yet
rudely scrawlcd invitation to a wedding
in the colored church of the neighbOr-
ing village. Not being able to be pres
ent, I asked Mrs. N, who was of the
party who accepted the invitation, to
give description of the ceremony with.
out exaggeration, as follows:
Upon our arrival at the Baptist church
in the village near by, we were met at
the door by two sable ushers, one having
his coat sleeve partly ripped out, and
the other minus a goodly portion OF the
skirt of the similar garment. But they
were as polite as ChesterAelds, and
seemed ''as happy as the big sunfower."
They escorted the party to side seats
near the pulpit, whore they could have
good view Of the house and audience.
The building was simply weather.
boarded and rooted, without any inside
finish whatever. No glass in the win
dOws, and no means OF warming, but
with board shutters, that could be closed
in severe weather. The seats and floors
were made of rough boards, and the pull
pit to match. The wedding was to be at
four o'clock, but time was not of great
value there. After waiting for three
quarters of an hour, the preacher ar
rived. He was tall white-haired col
ored man, with stumbling gait. He
walked up to our corner, and, bowling,
remarked that he was glad to see the
white folks there, and spologized for the
delay, saying:
",fhe young folks were kind O. shamed
to start out, but guessed they would be
along purity soon."
He took his seat in the pulpit and
chewed tobacco industriously, ornament
ing the floor in his vicinity with floods OF
brown juice. and occasionally taking
walk out doors to prospect for the
coming procession. Another hour
passed, motley crowd had gathered
outside, men and women Of
every imaginable color and
At last they came. The bride was tall,
handsome mulatto girl. tastefully dressed
in pretty white muslin rutfled and
fluted, with veil and orange blossoms.
The groom was black, rather cookbook
ing, and neatly dressed in black. There
was bridesmaid and groomsman to
match. They came up the aisle with
crowd following, and took their seats in
front of the pulpit. The old minister
stepped down from his pulpit and
gravely inquired:
'Is der any gentleman here as has
got watch?"
Some one had.
"What time is it?"
"Half-past Ave."
"Wats you uns been doin' all this
time. Eatin'? Guess you must be
pretty full by dis time. The dinner
comes before the marriage it seems.
81 charges jist a dollah and houg TO
waitin', regular price for marryin' three
dollahs. charge you jist TO dollahs an
seventy-five cents, and wants my money
TO leaves dis house"
Then he gave out hymn. The selec-
ton was peculiar:
Twas on dark and doleful night.
When powers Of earth and hell combined.
He read two lines, at time of the
whole hymn, intoning it and singing the
last word, the congregation joining in
with that, and singing in a most mourn
full strain, and every one making his
own tune. The result was not harmon
ious or inspiring. Then he read the
license and addressed the bridal party.
"Now my friends, youse got license,
but that don't marry you-dat gives You
rights accordin' to law, but dat's all II
you love one another, dat's what marries
you'll you do dat this marriage will
never be broke of. If you leve one an
other, the match is already done made.
For when you git married you ought
to live 'cordin' to Gods laws. Now may
be you think the old mans long time
gittin to business, and his tongue is hung
in the middle and he's got lots to say
And he said it. At last he came to the
ceremony. He had somewhere got the
directions for the marriage service OF the
Episcopal Church, " hich he read in his
slow hating way.
Then he told them to "rise and take
holt Of hands,"
.sN.., st.cI o1osxar toOether and act