The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-12-02
An Old VIRGINIA NEDD|Na|
Recollections Of a Woman WhoA
is Now a Grandmother. Ell
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY ]
Arrival Of the Bridegroom ard His
cavaIcade-Journey Of the BriSai
Procession to the Brides New
Home-Three Days Of Merrymak.
ing as Welcome.
"How did rich people marry In your
timer asked young woman Of a.;
stately woman who is a grandmoth otheEaj
who, like herself, was guest at a.
recent noted wedding. And the grand
mother, who comes from Virginia, told
this story: :;:sfsA ::zsssfsssA
Your grandfather was the richestA
young man in the country. and kadW
fortune Of my own. The day Of :our.
marriage he came on horseback to N.Y.
home. q
He was attended by his young
friends, each of whom rode whitass
horse. They wore high, white zlats,
white silk knee breeches and white
silk hosiery. Their shoes were ador1.;
ed with great buckles. s.s;:s.. Z
They came up the long lane which !
led to the great lawn in front eof my
lone and their coming was quite 1:kes
pageant. This calvalcade was fol-.
lowed by a large unmber Of slaves
the property. Of your grandfathers;
They were also mounted; there was3
one slave for each of your granagS
fathers friends. 5s,::s:::ss;
when your grandfather reached the
entrance to the lawn he dismounied
and was met by my father. AS EACH
attendant d:smounted he was present-a
ed by your grandfather to my fathefs9
and the procession moved up thegreaS2
walk to the wide port.co Of our honaS
There they were seated and serYed3
with such refreshments as all South.S
ern gentlemen dispense to thera
guests. -: :,s.s;ss:s Il
1.-The attendants were conducted stHs
various apartments to make ready ioc5,
the event Of the day. When Foufss
grandfather had been cared forsby lis,
special servant, he descended into rfhas
great family room and paid his moss
distinguished respects to my Mother,
who, at that moment, both by reason
Of her stateliness and splendor would
have been a noticeable parsonage as;
any court function. 80
after this brief interview my mo-
ther withdrew and came to me IN my
chamber She was accompanied l,ys
my father. They bestowed Snpona nane:::
their most affectionate attention. Then;
the. minister, the Bishop OF the States
came in and laid his hands upon mes
as he had done when was confirmed
by him, and as I knelt before him hss
gave me his blessing. 81 s'
my bridesmaids were then admit.
ted, and after each had kissed my
hand all withdrew. Ny brothers and
sisters then came in and we had "a 1it-
tie reunion. Then came my maid, my
old black nanny and her husband. !.
the latter a venerable hostler. ;s,l
"They bowed before me, as slaves;
in those days were accustomed tosdo5
before white people, and in leavingme.
those dear old black people weptsas fs 4
they never expected to see me again
Then came the other slaves sos th8,
plantation In couples, in genufedon.;
lad NJ f1,as< sfxDsi
were seen in that procession.
Then I was left alone for a eeHs
minutes-al alone. In that timesIS
bowed deyoutly, and in that attitude
my father came in and found me. Il
arose and he conducted me to the
great salon below.
1.-THE ceremony Of my marriage was;
much the same as that observed to-
day. Our Church has not deyiated
from its cerimonials in such, affairs,
however it may have been tempted to-
change some Of its rubrics.
"a wedding breakfast followed.
There was no music before or after
the ceremonies. After the breakfast I:
was conducted to my mothers old fam.s
ily room and there under her direc-S
ton my wedding gown was changed;
to riding habit. :z:.:5:s; :s.s:.s;
"As I passed out your, grandfather
met me and conducted me to the old
stile block at the entrance Of the! !1awn.
1t was covered with honeysuckiess:
Beside it stood the most beautiful
animal that money and a thorough
knowledge Of blooded stock could pro-
cure.
"The saddle was Of white silk; thes
outfit was caparisoned fit for queen
My black nammy's old husband was
the hostler. do not know which:
seemed to be the proudest, that old
slave or the beautiful horse which
awaited my coming. .s
sThe attendants whom had watchss
ed a short time before stood uncover.
ed while your grandfather lifted me-
into the saddle as lightly as II ] had
been feather. he was in his saddle
moment later, and then his friends
mounted with the precision OF trained:
cavalry. The bridal procession began
its journey.
SIT was several miles to the home Of
our grandfather. That journey came
as near being triumphal as any OF
which I ever dreamed. It. was holi.s
day 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.
THAT is how the rich people mar
ried in my time, my child, In that
blessed State which we call the Old
Dominion
All-over embroidered morning cfepa
is the latest concession to the rage toE
elaboration, and, as the embroidery Is
done in dull silk, it does not detracS
oF