The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-11

had catered both to the eyes and pal
ates of the company. She knew vel
the tastes of those for whom she haC
ordered the repast, and the subStantlal>
abounded. Great roast turkeys, cooked
to just the right brown, with then
drumsticks crossed over their breasts
as II In resignation. roast bacon
brolled chickens, roast ducks and al
kinds of vegetables, including their
fayorite hC:Giny and rice. The lighter
foods were provided. too. to suit the
Younger people whose advanced ideas
led them to prefer to eat what .'de
white folks" ate at their weddings.
These, therefore, partook of salads,
floating island, biancmange. cake, cot,
fee and fruit. What feast it was!
The bridal pair were able to do full
Justice to everything, their extra wed,
ding ceremony having served to in
crease their hunger. Melinda Ann. of
course, was the center of attraction; all
the SWANS were anxious TO help her to
something, so her plate was kept well
supplied. She held her little court around
her with all the skill and coquetries OF
a society belle, and her witty sallies
made the room ring with the outlaws
of her admirers. This filled with envy
some of the more neglected maidens
who sat around the wall, one of whom,
gazing at her empty plate. disdainfully
remarked:
''DeSe yer brides pears to be mighty
'tractive. De gentlemen had sight
better let her husband tend her."
The brides cake was a masterpiece
of art, and there was positive hush
over the assembly when Melinda Ann
went forward to cut it. How deftly
she did plunge the knife in amongst the
little frosted figures! Every person was
given Il piece to take home, and many
were the smiles and coy chances as
each young beau shyly asked the
maiden of his heart, '.Who yer s'pose
yer gwine ter dream of when yer sleeps
ODER dat weddin' cake9' After the
last person had received his portion,
Par johnson arranged the line of march
again, and all returned to the parlor,
where Uncle Pete" had already es-
tablished himself at one end OF the
room with his fiddle. 1t is true the
fiddle was rather the worse for wear
and age, and ''Uncle Pete was not the
most skillful musician in the world;
still, when he put the fiddle up under his
chin and drew the bow briskly across the
strings, every foot in the room began to
beat the time, every head to bob, and
the whites of every eye glistened snd
rolled in Joyous expectation.
''Take pardners fur de Virginnv
reel" called out Par johnson, and he
was obeyed with the greatest speed
possible. The long lines reached from
one end of the parlor to the other, and
at the first squeak of the fiddle away
the dancers flew up and down the mid
die. Whoever has not seen the South
ern negroes dance can form but faint
idea of the scene that followed Their
whole bodies as well as their feet
seemed made of India rubber: they
danced all over, from the top of their
bobbing heads. down through their
swaying bodies, to the bottoms of their
bounding feet. Talk of fancy steps!
They eXcelled anything one could i'm
agine; no two steps were alike. and
while some of the movements were per.
fectly ludicrous, others were the very
embodiment of grace and beauty.
Their striking and gaudy costumes.
and their dusky faces, lighted up by
their white eyeballs and shining teeth,
of course added to the effect. Par
johnson and Parson Brown, though
perhaps not quite SO agile as some of
the younger ones, still went through
the figures with a spirit and dash de-
liGhtful to see. Jigs followed to Vir-
ginia reel. John Joseph and Melinda
Ann covered themselves with glory by
dancing one together in most perfect
time. Various youths We'd with each
other in rendering clogs and double
shui'ieS, ana were doubtless inspired
to their best efforts by the admiring
chances cast at them by ''de fair ones"
Other Virginia reels were INDUCED in,
and various ''sJuar' dances,' until the
dancers painted for breath, and Uncle
Pete drew his bow slower and slower
across the fiddle, in complete exhaus-
ton. At this iuncture it occurred 10
Par johnson that it was almost night,
and time the festivities came to an end:
50 he called out to the young couple
that they had ''better get re ,dy fur ter
start on de weddin tour and, bidding
alden to the guests, went out after the
horse and wagon that was to carry
them to the plantation. John Joseph
and Melinda Ann disappeared to get
ready for the journey, but their prepa-
ratiOns did not absorb very much time,
for the wagon had hardly driven up to
the door when they appeared again,
ready for the start Neither had
changed their wedding garments, but
John Joseph had put on n thin coat
over his nankeen suit, and Melinda
Ann had wrapped her bare shoulders
in red shawl.
'.Why, Melinda Ann" exclaimed
Mrs. White, who had come forward to
say few parting words. ''why haven't
you changed your dress?"
Changed my dress" echoed Me-
linda Ann; whats de use of changin'
my dress? Eff l did, folks wouldn't
know Use bride. an whar's the use
of gittin' married if don't pear like
bride? John Joseph, whar's my truso?"
Here It's, ;" said John Joseph. swing
ing valse into the wagon. SIS yer
ready to start?"
''In 4 minnit," answered the bride,
and she fell on the necks of her numer-
Gus friends and relatives who sur
rounded her, and embraced them as
though she never expected to meet
them again in this world. ''Good-bye,
all Oh yerr' she cried: good bye"'
and John Joseph helped her into the
wagon and climbed in beside her. Par
johnson entered the front seat. and
soon, with Melinda AIMS bridal veil /
fiutterinp in the hrepzp thew started off |