Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-08-15
THE WEDDING.

tention was called to the hearty sing
ing OF one of the gospel hymns. The
sound proceeded from little chapel
which | had passed in my walk, and
retracing my steps. entered the door,
and soon found myself in the presence
Of quite congregation OF blacks who
were engaged in holding a meeting
conducted by one of their own color.
At the conclusion of the hymn the peo-
| pie seated themselves, and it was very
evident from appearances that some
thing out of the usual course was ex-
pected, for the ''darkiesn were all on
the alert and 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: IF
de parties what intend to commit mat
rimony will perceed to advance for
ward in frunt OBJ de altar, / will also
perceed to jine 'em in do holy bands. y
Two persons Immediately rose from
their seats in one OF the front pews,
and 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 Tub her dear
ly all de days OBJ your mortal life; and
also do you
Yes. sahn' replied the willing bride
groom.
Don't you be in too much OBJ a hur-
ry," said the preacher. II hadn't got
half fru wild my fust question yet; so
you ies keep still while. and don't
allow you'sef to get into too much of
presperation.
But, sah," interrupted the man,
I'VE didn't cum in here for to be lee
tered to; we cum in for the spress pur-
pus 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 500 conspicu.
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 pres@lt
on dat 'casion when your dear old
nanny (whO is now a-singin' halle
| loojars in anuther WORLDLY chastised you
publicly wild her slipper for cummittin'
disdomeanor? 1t was dat day when
you ruined away from skool and den
told lie about it. / woodn't have de-
luded to that unfortunit surcumstans
rite here in public if you hadn't broE'
in and 'terrupted me in de midst OBJ my
remarks. want you and all de rest
OBJ my flock to understand dat I'm hear
tonight in my 'fishal capacity, clothed
in a 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 Of for your
illumination and dat OBJ de ,Ongrega-
ton here assembled. Beside dat, you
ought to know dat ta1kin' back in meet
in amt lowed in our connection.
Only 'Piscopals do dat, and eben dey
amt 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
tryln' to initiate dem by usin' what dey
call responsive service; but such
things don't meet wild my 'proval. I've
wandered off little, but III get dere
all de same You'd better be silent
and hear all I've got to say, for it II
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 are 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 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,
reminded pusson experiences when
he's gone and done his duty in hum
gumptious manner Dis here prelim-
nary peramble might have been
'breviated somewhat If you hadn't
brok' In and 'terrupted me in de midst
OBJ my diseoorse. To resoom de thread
Of my remarks: ! was 'tendin' for to
ask you, in de midst OBJ dis 'sembly,
whedder you really dubbed dis oman?
"P'raps you think dat because am
so unfortunit as to wear glass eve
dat can't alwuz 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 some
OBJ de weaker vessels belongin' to my
flock here in de Wilderness; and Iwant
you to understand dat such foolin'
won't be winked at any longer in desc
precincts. Derfore, II l iine you two
togedder here dis night you've got to
make me a solem promis' dat you'll
'deavor to improve in your conduct
hereafter, and be true and faithful to
dis foolish woman a-standin' up here
wild you tonight; dat you'll pervide
for her wants and be a good husban'