Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-08-14

A Graphic Picture of Great Event
Among the Florida narkies.
San Francisco Chronicle

oau francisco Chronicle.
A wedding Is not considered quite
the solemn event ii should be unless
attended by some of de white folks
es. ! was not a little surprised at
the entrance of one of my neighbors,
not long ago, to invite me to a negro
wedding.
But" said, they did not ask
me-"
That is always left with us, said
my neighbor. The more that come
the more impressive the occasion. All
you have to do is to carry a cake
made for the bride, and if you think
best some inexpensive present. That,
however, they don't look for but the
cake they do Put on all the fnery
you have, for the more conspicuous
you make your apparel, the more you
honor them.
So arrayed myself in my best bib
and tuck, 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.. S.
came round with the wagon, in which
| slowed away folding clothes horse
destined for the bride.
The cabin hal been unpartitioned,
if may use the word, and where four
rooms had been there was but one.
1t was a pretty sight, after drive Of
five miles, to see the little homestead
surrounded by bush fires, north. east
and west, winch dozen little negroes
kept supplied with fuel. A wilder
scene | never came upon. The bril-
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, all 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 bells and
white flowers IN their hair, the long
tables, covered with snowy linen,
made up in all tout ensemble that
was like a picture from anoths r coun-
try
We were ushered in with great GER
emony by Augustus Whtlletree, and
instantly surrounded by the guests in
ebony, who quickly and deftlyrcleved
us of our outer 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 25, and the
bride really pretty girl of 16. One
of the colored people whispered to rne
that sister Felicia had gene done q
good thing for herself-that "brud
der" Bulge had a farm of twenty
acres and a bright nice cabin TO pat
her in, adding, AN hell tote hen
earthly down Gle vale" TO all of which
l listened with a serious countenance
Supper being ready, we were install
led at the head of the table, while the
bridal party waited till we partook oil
the viands, proceeding which / con
fess made me feel rather foolish
though the rest of the white company
took it as a matter of course Aftel
we had finished, the others fell to
and it was amusement enough L
watch the proceedings from the feas
to the blessing, and from the blessing
to the dance. Speeches of congratu
lation and toasts were made, some o.
the latter odd enough, and drunk
with lemonade, one OF which was as
follows
II preceive dat dis limonade is 6
miXter oh sweet and sour. De swee
am berry sweet ard de sour am berry
sour Dat minds me dat life is made
up of de sweet and de sour, wild a spice
of bitters init. Ihopes, chillen, you'll,
git EN- so we'll mixed dat it'll seen
sweet all trough and the bitter II on'y
be q sort O medicine to make you ali
right if you ebber do go wrong.
Then came the scraping of fddles
but as they were proposing to dance
we drove away in the halo of blaz
ing fires to the sound of the merry
| laugh.