The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-07-21
Written for THR PROGRESSIVE FARMER.l
A NEGRO WEDDING IN NORTH
CAROLINA AT CHRISTMAS.
BY L e Gates.

may be found.
To the Caucasian he gave the mag
nif cent intellect that has made him
master of the world; to the Red man,
a disposition as brave, as, fearless, as
savage a. the lion that roams through
the unknown jungles of Africa.
But to the American negro he has
dealt out with the most lavish hand,
those gifts which have ever made him
an object of interest and amusement.
On him has been bestowed a complex
ion which the boot black ever strives
to emulate; to his hair has been given
a frizz which the m ost expert manipu-
lator of the curling tongs can never
hope to achieve; his mouth is the Joy
Of the dentist, it is so roomy, he a
work all about in it; it is a we'll known
fact that his foot makes a hole in the
ground where the white mans makes
a hill.
His every feature is a curiosity, but
above these stand out his disposition
and taste. He ever a jolly, good
natured fellow, no matter Where'you
find him. Love of display, pomp and
ceremony are the preeminent charac-
teristics. There must be style in all
that he does. though he is often as
ludicrous as were the monkeys IN the
leland of the Indian ocean, wearing the
belts and swords Of the soldier.
A wedding is one of his favorite
places to display his a~ristocratic man
ners; Christmas above all other times
is a season of festivity and gaiety and
the two combined form the pinnacle
of the tower of negro display.
To enjoy these things to their utmost,
you must come to Carolina, for there
you find the negro as polite asa French,
man, with none of the impertinence
which seems to characterize him in
many of the Southern States.
I was present a few years ago at the
marriage Of the daughter Of a colored
rock mason. The day was just cool
enough to be uncomfortable out Of
doors, unless you kept in motion. The
guest began to arrive about twelve
o'clock, and by two the yard was full
of men and boys and dogs. In the
house and porch were the girls and the
elder women. There was a score or
more of white men in the crowd, the
most Of them being hunters who had
dropped in from the chase to rest
awhile and be amused.
Every few minutes another convey
ance would come in; first there came q
young fellow driving a two horse "a
riage, looking as dignified as if he were
a millionaire; he had a dusky maiden
by his side, and seemed all unconscious
that n of his horses was a mule, with
ploW gears for harness, and the other
horse, some n sagely remarked,
Ulster blong to Mister Noa."
There is a long down grade just be.
fore you get to the house, and be got
up enough speed coming down this to
carry him in, in fine style.
Next came two young women in a
buggy a young man quickly stepped
forward, and took the lines from their
hands, in his eagerness to do some
thing to assist them, and drove on I'm
til he came to the gate, which was on
Iy wide enough for the buggy to pass
through. Now you think he had to
give up the lines, but no, they were
pretty long, so he fell behind the bug
gy and drove on into the lot; while he
was unhitching the horses a second gal
liant walked up, helped the ladies out
of the buggy, and led them away in
triumph, much to the chagrin of his
rival.
The master of the house kicked two
quarreling cur out at the front door,
with the admonition, Git out, you
~rascals, or you shan't sta fur de wed
DIM" A stick of stove wood came fly
ing out at the kitchen door after the
~retreating form of old Sooner" who
was hurrying to his kennel with his
share of the wedding feast.
This panorama continued for half an
hour longer and then the minister ap-
peared over the hilltop, at the head of
a long line of vehicles.
When he drove up, two stalwart
Philippians advanced, assisted him
from his carriage and almost carried
him into the house.
He was a portly, raven colored speci'
men of humanity, smooth shaven, and
hair cut short.
In a few minutes all was ready for