The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-05-16
A WEDDING IN OLD VIRGINIA.

at recent noted wedding. And the
grandmother, who comes from Vir.
ginia, told this story:
"Your grandfather was the richest
young man in the county, and I had
fortune of my own. The day ol
Our marriage he came on horseback to
my home.
He was attended by his young
friends, each of whom rode a white
horse. They wore high white hats,
white silk knee breeches and white
silk hosiery. Their shoes were adorn-
ed with great buckles.
"They came up the long lane
which led to the great lawn in front
of my. home and their coming was
quite like pageant. This cava1cadr
was followed by a large number of
slaves, the property Of your grand
father. They were also mounted !;
there was one slave for each of your
grandfather's friends.
when your grandfather reached
the entrance to the lawn he dismount-
ed and was met by my father, and
the procession moved up the great
walk to the wide portico OF our home.
There they were seated and served
with such refreshments as all South
ern gentlemen dispense to h ir
guests.
The attendants were conducted to
various apartments to make ready for
the event of the day. When your
grandfather had been cared for by
his special servant, he descended into
the great family room and paid his
most distinguished respects to my
mother who, at that moment, both by
reason of her stateliness and splendor
would have been a noticeable person
age at any court function.
AFTER this brief interview my
mother withdrew and came to me in
my chamber. She was accompanied
by my father. They bestowed upon
me their most affectionate attention.
Then the minister, the Bishop of the
State, came in and laid his hands
upon me as he had done when I was
confirmed by him, and as 1 knelt be-
fore him he gave me his blessing.
my bridesmaids were then ad-
mitted and after each had kissed my
hand all withdrew. My brothers
and sisters then came in and we had
little reunion. Then came my maid,
my old black mamma and her hus-
band, the latter venerable host1er.
"They bowed before me, as slaves
in those days were accustomed to do
before white people, and in leaving
me those dear old black people wept
as if they never expected to see me
again. Then came the other slaves
of the plantation in couples, in genu-
.1- a.sl -lalae Of
sion.
"Then / was left alone for few
minutes all alone. In that time I
bowed devoutly, and in that attitude
my father came in and found me. I
arose and he conducted me to the
great salon below.
"The ceremony of my marriage
was much the same as that observed
today. Our Church has not deviated
from its ceremonials in such affairs,
however it may have been attempted
to change some of its rubrics.
ga wedding breakfast followed.
There was no music before or after
the ceremonial. After the breakfast
was conducted to my mothers old
family room and there under her di-
rection my wedding gown was chang
ed to riding habit.
As I passed out your grandfather
met me and conducted me to the old
stile block at the entrance of the
lawn. 1t was covered with honey
suckle. Beside it stood the most
beautiful animal that mopey and
thorough knowledge of blooded stock
could procure.
"The saddle was of white silk the
outfit was caparisoned fit for queen.
My black mammy's old husband was
the hostler. I do not know which
seemed to be the proudest, that old
slave or the beautiful horse which
awaited my coming.
1.-The attendants whom had
watched short time before stood un-
covered while your grandfather lifted
me into the saddle as lightly as if l
had been a feather. He was in his
saddle moment later, and then his
friends mounted with the precision of
trained cavalry. The bridal process
sion began its journey.
cit was several miles to the home
of your grandfather. That journey
came as near being triumphal as any
of which 1 ever dreamed. 1t was a
holiday all along the course. The
road was lined by slaves, most of
whom were dressed in white, and as
we passed they bent to the earth,
which was scattered with flowers.
"When we reached the entrance to
the great lawn in front of your grand
fathers house he lifted me from my
saddle and, taking me by the hand,
he led me in the courtliest manner up
a path literally covered with flowers
to the Intel of his house, which had
welcomed other brides for several gen
erations. At the entrance of the
house your grandfather handed me
the keys to the same.
''After a rest from the journey |
was prepared for the banquet. None
1 have seen equalled it. What a
splendid recollection it is The dance
which followed no one ever attempt
ed to describe. The flower and chiv-
airy of the Old Dominion were there.
The plantation was a great, swelling
volume of melody. 1 never knew
when it ceased.
1.-The next day-a glorious one
there was fox chase. A dinner fol-
lowed which lasted far into the night.
And again the plantation was enwrap-
ped by melody such as one hears no