The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-08-21
A Wedding in silhouette.

A wedding is not considered quite
the solemn event it should be unless
attended by some of "de white folks
es." was little surprised at the en-
trance of one Of my neighbors not long
ago to invite me to negro wedding.
But" | said, "they did not ask
me-"
That is always left with u.s." said
my neighbor. "The more that come
the more impressive the occasion. All
you have to do is to carry cake made
for the bride, and if you think best
some expensive present. That, how
ever, they don't look for, but the cake
they do. Put on all the iinery you
have, for the more conspicuous you
make your apparel, the more you hon
or them.
So ! arrayed myself in my best bib
and tucker, with an Indian necklace of
shell and bracelets to match, which
had hung in my cabinet for months.
My large chocolate cake was ready and
looked very appetizing. Mr. $, came
round with the wagon, in which |
slowed away folding clothos-horse
destined for the bride.
The cabin had been unpartitioncd if
| may use the word, and where four
rooms had been there was but one 1t
was pretty sight after drive of five
miles, to see the little homestead sur
rounded by bush fires, north, east and
west, which dozen little negroes
kept supplied with fuel. A wilder
scene never came upon. The brill
liant flames set off the log cabin, all
folded in with hOneysuckle vines; the
dusky usher busy in looking after the
carriages of the guests, ali the men in
white jackets, the inside of the cabin
all one red glow, an immense fire
blazing on the hearth, showing the
buXom figures of the women, every
one dressed in the brightest cOlors,
with huge bouquets in their belts and
white flowers in their hair, the long
tables, covered with snowy linen, made
up in all tout ensemble that was like
n picture from another country.
We were ushcrcd in with great cere-
mony by Augustus Whiillctrcc, and in
stantly surrounded by the guests in
ebony, who quickly and deity re-
lieved us of our wraps. Then we were
stationed at the head of the table, the
children called in, and the ceremony
proceeded. The minister was as black |
as polished ebony, the bridegroom was
a good-looking fellow of %, and the
bride really pretty girl of lG. One
of the coored people whispered to me
that sister Felicia had gone done
good thing for herself-that "brudder"
Bulge had farm OF twenty acres and
Il bright nice cabin to put her in, add
ing, IAN he'll tote her earthly down
de yale" to all Of which listened with
a serious countenancc.
Supper being ready, we were in
stalled at the head Of the table, while
the bridal party waited till we partoOk
II the viands, a proceeding which |
confess made me feel rather foolish,
hough the rest of the white company
OOk it as matter Of course. After
We had finished, the others fell to, and
t was amusement enough TO watch the
proceedings from the feast to the bless.
~, anu IlOIu lAc U!c>..H- ~ inc Niucc.
Speeches Of congratulation and toasts
we're made, some Of the latter odd
enough, and drunk with lemonade, one
If which was as follows:
Il perceive dat dis lemonade is q
mixture OBJ sweet and sour, De sweet
IN berry sweet and dc sour am berry
our. Dat minds me dat life is made
Up Of de sweet an de sour, yid n
pice 90 bitters in it hopes, chIlen, 4
.ou' Il git em 50 well mixed dat it'll
eem sweet all trough and de bIttcr'Il
NY be sort o medicine to make you !
ii right if you eb0er do 90 wrong"
Then came the scraping Of fldIes,
ut, as they were proposing to dance,
We drove away in the halo Of blazing
Tres to the sound otmerry laughter
-FiortdQ Letter IN S.u Frnac5c0
,hroHic'e