The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19
4 WEDDING IN OLD VIRGINIA.
RECOLLECTIONS or 4 WOMAN
WHO rs NOW A GRANDMOTHER.

RECOLLECIlONS OT WO"
WHO rs NOW A GRANDMOTHER.
Arrival OF the Bridegroom and HIS Cava''
cadc--Journey Of the Bridal Procession
10 the BRIDES New Home--Three
DAYS Of MerrymakinE - welcome.
How did rich people marry In your
timer asked q young woman OF stately
woman who b . grandmother "ho' IKE
herself was guest at . recent noted we'd
wing. And the grandmother who comes
from Virginia. told this story;
sYour grandfather was the richest young
man In the county. and ! had fortune
Of my own. The day OF our marriage no
came on horseback to my home.
.He was attended by his young friends,
each Of whom rode q white horse. They
wore high white hats. white silk knee
breeches and white silk hosiery Their
shoes were adorned 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 a pageant.
This cavalcade was followed by q large
number Of slaves, the property Of your
grandfather. They were also mounted;
there was one slave for each Of your grand
fathers friends.
when your grandfather reached the
entrance to the lawn he dismounted and
was met by my father. A each attendant
dismounted he was presented by your
grandfather to my father, and the pro-
cession moved up the great walk to the
wide portico Of our home. There they
were seated and served with such refresh
ments a. all Southern gentlemen dispense
to their 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 q noticeable parsonage
at anv court function.
After this brief interview my mother
withdrew and came 10 me In my chamber.
She was accompanied by my father. They
bestowed upon me their most anectionate
attention. Then the minister. the Bishop
Of the State, came In and laid his hands
upon me a. ne had done when ! was con-
firmed by him. and ss knelt before him
he gave me his blessing.
my bridesmaids were then admitted
and after each had kissed my hand all
withdrew. My brothers and sisters then
came In and we had little reunion. Then
came nv maid. my old black nanny and
her husband. the latter venerable hostler.
They bowed before ma. q slaves In
those days were accustomed to do before
white people, and In leaving me those
dear old black people wept as II they never
expected to see me again. Then came
the other slaves Of the plantation In couples,
In eenufiexion. The discarded waryirobes
Of sTy rs5s Alone Y o1 hsf e~
all alone. In that time bowed devoutly.
and In that attitude my father came In
and found me-. arose and he conducted
me to the great salon below.
The ceremony o. my marriage was
Our Church has not deviated from It's
oeremonials in such Affairs. however 1t
may have been tempted to change some
Of It's rubrtcs
"A wedding breakfast followed. There
monial. After the breakfast was con-
Quoted to my mothers old family room
and there under her direction my wedding
gown was changed TO riding habit.
As ! passed out your grandfather met
at the entrance Of the lawn. 1t was covered
with honeysuckle. Beside 1t stood the
most beautiful animal that money and q
thorough knowledge Of blooded stock
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.
III had Hn1
q short time before stood uncovered while
your grandfather lifted me into the saddle
as lightly as u I had been feather. He
was In his saddle q moment later, and then
his friends mounted with the precision Of
trained cavalry. The bridal PROCESSION be-
1T was several miles to the home of your
grandfather. That journey came as near
being triumphal as any OF which l ever
dreamed. 1t was holiday all along the
most Of whom were dressed in white, and
as we passed they bept to the earth, which
was scattered with flowers.
when we reached the entrance to the
great lawn In front Of your grandfather's
taking me by the hand. he led me in the
courtliest manner up path literally covered
with flowers to the Intel Of his house, which
had welcomed other brides for several
generations; At the entrance Of the house
yOoI = ioASaaoohCi AsoiAoa AAso tAO ACyb W
the same.
AFTER q rest from the journey I was pre-
pared for the banquet. None have seen
equalled IL. What q splendid recollection
1t isi The dance which followed no one
ever attempted to describe. The flower
and chivalry OF the Old Dominion we're
there. The plantation was great, swelling
volume Of melody. never knew when Il
ceased.
The next day-a glorious one-there was
q fox chase. A dinner followed which lasted
far into the night. And again the planta-
ton was enwrapped by melody such a. one
hears nowhere else on this earth. And the
next day there was . jtte champetr;s In
the evening. ball to the knights and the
court Of beauty-their queens.
THE day after there was Q reception to
my father and mother and brothers and
sisters, who came on horseback over the
route Of the bridal party. At the close OF
the week there was Q gathering OF the slaves
Of both plantations, songs in the cabins.
walks about the grounds and distribution
Of gifts:
my time, my child, In that blessed State
which We can the Old Dominion
PRETTY CIRCUS WOMEN.
They Must Have Coed Looks Nowadays
- We'll - Coed Muscles.
l. II =