Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-02-08


No more was said on the matter at the
time, but when breakfast-which was
rather a farce--was done, Mr.. Carson
sent for lis head man and gave him Ger.
| tain on iers.
We were to be married after the SER
vice which Mr.. Carson held every Sun
day morning in the large marble hut set
apart for that purpose. The service be-
gan at 10 o'clock, but long before that
hour all the natives on the place came up
in troops, singing as they came, to be
present at the wedding of the Star" 1t
was pretty sight to see them, the men
dressed in all their finery, and carrying
shields and sticks in their hands, and
the women and children bearing green
branches of trees, ferns and flowers, At
length, about half-past nine, Stella rose,
pressed my hand, and left me to my re-
| Elections, At a few minutes to ten
she reappeared again with her father,
dressed in white veil, wreath of
orange flowers on her dark curling hair,
a bouquet of orange flowers in her hand.
To me she seemed like dream of lowell
ness. With her came little Tota in
high state of glee and excitement. She
was Stella's only bridesmaid. Then we
all passed out towards the church hut.
The bare space in front of it was filled
with hundreds of natives, who set up q
song as we came. But we went on into
the hut, which was crowded with such
of the natives as usually worshiped
there. Here Mr.. Carson, as usual, read
the service, though he was obliged to sit
down in order to do so. When it was
done-and to me it seemed interminable
MIR. Carson whispered to me that he
meant to marry us outside the hut in
sight of all the people, so we went out
and took our stand under the shade of o
large tree that grew near the hut facing
the bare space where the natives were
gathered.
Mr.. Carson held up his hand to enjoin
silence. Then, speaking in the native
dialect, he told them that he was about
to make us man and wife after the Chris
tian fashion and in the sight of all men.
This done, he proceeded to read the mar
riage service over us, and very solemnly
and beautifully he did it. We said the
words, l placed the ring-it was her
fathers signet ring, for we had no other
upon Stella's finger, and it was done.
Then Mr.. Carson spoke. "Allan and
Stella" he said, 81 believe that the cere-
mony which has been performed makes
you man and wife in the sight of God
and man, for all that is necessary to
make marriage binding is, that it
should be celebrated according to the
custom of the country where the parties
to it reside. 1t is according to the custom
that has been in force here for fifteen
years or more that you have been mar
ried in the face of all the people, and in
token of it you will both sign the registry
that l have kept of such marriages,
among those of my own people that have
adopted the Christian faith. Still, in case
there should be any legal flaw, / again
demand the solemn promise of you both
that on the first opportunity you will
cause this marriage to be re-celebrated
in some civilized land. Doyou promised"
1--WE do" we answered.
Then the book was brought out and we
signed our names. At first my wife
signed hers "Stella" only, but her father
babe her write it Stella Carson for the
first and last time in her life. Then sew
eral of the indunas, or head men, In
Guiding old Indaba-zimbi, put their marks
In witness. Indaba-zimba drew his mark
in the shape of little star, in humorous
aIlusion to Stella's native name. That
register is before me now as write.
That, with lock Of my darling's hair
that lies between its leaves, is my dear
est possession. There are all the names
and marks as they were written many
years ago beneath tho shadow of the
tree on Babyan Kraals in the wilder
ness, but alas, and alasl where are those
who wrote them?
my people," said Mr.. Carson, when
the singing was done and we had kissed
each other before them all-"my people,
Macumazahn and the Star, my daughter,
are now man and wife, to live in one
kraal, to eat of one bowl, to share one
fortune till they reach the grave. Hear
now, my people, you know this woman"
and, turning, he pointed to Hendrika,
who, unseen by us, had been led out of
the prison hut.
Eyes, yes, we know her" said little
ring of head men, who formed the prim-
tive court of justice, and after the fash
ion of natives had squatted themselves in
a circle on the ground in front of us.
1--WE know her; she is the white babyan
woman; she is Hendrika, the body serv-
ant of the Star"
"You know her." said Mr.. Carson,
"but you do not know her altogether.
Stand forward, Indaba-zimbi, and tell
the people what came about last night in
the hut of Macumazhan."
Accordingly old Indaba-zimbi came
forward, and, squatting down, told his
moving tale with much descriptive force
and many gestures, finishing up by pro
ducing the great knife from which his
! watchfulness had saved me.