The Delta independent., 1891-07-01
THE WEDDING.


ing of one of the gospel hymns. The
sound proceeded from a little chapel
which l had passed In my walk, and
retracing my steps, entered the door,
ana soon found myself in the presence
| Of quite a congregation Of blacks, who
were engaged in holding meeting
conducted by one of their own color.
At the conclusion OF the hymn the peo-
plo seated themselves, and it was very
evident from appearances that some
thing out of the usual course was ex-
pected, for the .'darkies" were all on
the alert, and a feeling OF anticipation
was universally manifested. After a
few moments my curiosity was graft
fed by hearing the following announce
ment from the lips of the preacher: .Ii
| de parties what intend to commit mat
rimony will perceed to advance for
| ward in frunt OBJ de altar, I will also
perceed to jine 'em in do holy bands. u
Two persons Immediately rose from
their seats in one Of the front pews,
aud walking toward the pulpit stood
before the speaker who then addressed
them as follows:
| Pete johnson, do you mean to deal
fairly by dis woman, and lub her dear
ly all de days OBJ your mortal life; and
also do you"
"Yes, sah!" replied the willing bride
groom.
Don't you be in too much OBJ hur-
ry," said the preacher. II hadn't got
half fru wild my fust question yet; Sc
you jes keep still while. and don't
allow you'sef TO get into too much OF
a presperation.
But. sah," interrupted the man,
1--WE didn't cum in here for to be leo
tered to; we cum in for the spress pur-
2us OF being jined togedder in we'd
lock, and we don't want you to con-
SOON too much time in de preliminaries
Me and Jemimy mean for to take a
tower; de kyars won't wait for nobody,
and besides dat can't you perseave
dat she's a-gettin' nervous a-standin'
up here afore folks $3.50 conspic.,.
ous?"
The parson drew himself up to his
full height and expanded his broad
chest; then raising his right hand, ex-
claimed: '.Pete johnson. know'd you
afore you knew nuthin', when you
didn't know nuthin'. Wasn't present
on dat 'casion when your dear old
mnmmy (who is now a-singin' halle.
looiars in anuther WORLDLY chastised you
publicly wild her slipper for cummittin'
disdomeanorP 1t was dat day W hen
You runned away from skool and den
told lie about 1t. woodn't have de-
luded to that unfortunit surcumstans
rite here in public II you hadn't brok'
! in and 'terrupted ne in de midst OBJ my
remarks. l want you and all de rest
OBJ my flock to understand dat I'm hear
tonight in my 'ashal capacity, clothed
In new black coat and all de terrors
OF de law, and consequently am to be
spected accordingly. I've a good
| many mental fireworks on hand to-
| night, which tend to let off for your
illumination and dat OBJ de congrega-
tiOn here assembled. Beside dat, you
ought to know dat tallsin back in meet
in amt lowed in our connection.
Only 'Piscopals do dat, and eben dey
| ain't lowed to indulge in any 'riginal
remarks, fur all dey say is all printed
| out for dem. ! hab heard, howeber,
dat some OBJ de fash'nable sects are
tryin' to initiate dem by usin' what dey
call responsive service; but such
things don't meet wild my 'proval. I've
wandered off a little, but I'll get dere
all de same You'd better be silent
and hear all I've got to say, for it IL
do you and Jemimy good. I don't
ofen get you two in here to talk to,
for. like some odders 'mong de bred
dren and sistren. you nre too frequent
ly conspicuous by your absens. So
I'm goin' for to improve de present
'casion and show you up afore dis con-
gregation. don't care nickel whed-
der you pay me q dollar for dis job or
not, for / intend for to get all it's
worth in dat salubrious feelin' OBJ in
ward satisfaction which cherry Plus.
sober-minded pusson experiences when
he's gone and done his duty in hum
gumptious manner. Dis here prelim-
nary peramble might have been
'breviated somewhat II you hadn't
brok' in and 'terrupted me in de midst
OBJ my discoorse. To resoom de thread
OF my remarks: was 'tendin' for to
ask you. in de midst OBJ dis 'sembly,
whedder you really dubbed dis 'omanp
"P'r'aps you think dat becarse / am
20 unfortunit as to wear glass eye
dat can't nlwuz see what's a-gOin' on
round me; but let me tell you dat I've
had MY good eye on you for some time
past, and 'blivious to de fact OBJ your
cuttin's-up and carrin's-on wild somo
oh de weaker vessels belongin' TO my
iiock here in de wilderness; and Iwant
you to understand dat such foolin'
wont be winked at any longer in desc
precincts. Derfore, II / jine you two
togedder here dis night you've got to
make me solem promig' dat you'll
'deavor TO improve in your conduct
hereafter, and be true and faithful 70
dis foolish woman a-stindin' up here
wild you tonight; dat you'll pcrvide
for 'lcr wnnts and be u good husban'
to ber all do days OBJ your material
life.r
Yes. sah!-yes. sahi dat's what I've
said all de time, sab. Go rite on wild
de ceremony, sah. and tie do knot tite.
sah."
Pete johnson, do you think dat
you Is de one to instruct your old par
son in bis dooty? Hadn't ] told you
fur 10 keep still and not opes your
Douf77 ..
'sN-hAt for dsn you azk l,e 80 uas,y