The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-02-14
BY FRANCES A. WALKER.

q had often heard my mother and
grandmother describe the negro we'd
,at5Saxg on the plantations in the old
alxys in Virginia before the war. How
.1gae diningroom generally would be
SsrsJrated for the occasion. and the
conscientious mistress would see that
fsaRs and wine were provided. that
Judy, OF Betty. or Sally (as the case
ssIght be), had a white dress and her
NAV n new suit of clothes, and that
aysey were properly married by the
nearest Episcopal minister-who new
.,Es failed to admonish them beforehand
an Che solemnity of the marriage tie
and their duty to each other.
As earnest effort was made to i'm
9rtSs upon them the sacramental
character of the act, and everything
-nas done "decently and in order"-so
afaS was very interested when a
srSend in Mississippi. on whose planta-
siNS. 1 was visiting, informed me that
ss,r maid "Balma" was going to be
7rrysyried, and I must certainly witness
tine ceremony.
What an odd name!" volunteered.
'"where did she get it?"
We asked her mother that" said
tznq friend. land she said: Don't you
read yo' Bible? Amt you never herd
IF che Balma Gilead?' So she's called
fESsSzna' for short"
-Hew very funny!"
Yes but it's nothing to the names
erg the twins, the youngest members
Nd her family, two of the most absurd
tsrgfe pickaninnies you ever saw. They
sye called respectively 'Postle Paul
grrsd Pistle Peter and will, no doubt
assszre at the wedding"
a few days later. when I went into
1szxy friends room. she was busily en-
gagged In finishing of a white organdie
akm Baima's nuptials, and was con-
6szmp7ating 1t with a good deal Of sat
F,xescfSon, when the "bride-elect" walk
ses an with a bolt of overwhelmingly blue
vabSon and asked her, "please, ma'am.
M trim it up with that" So, although
N went sadly against the grain. and
,zssvntled all our aesthetic sensibilities.
nssfxed the garment to any extent to
Halma's great satisfaction. She show
9k every tooth in her head and pro-
auunced 1t ''jes' dazzlin'!" which it
,aErstainly was.
Tqse preparations being finally COM
eseese. We were duly summoned to the
. s.alrln of the brides mother, where the
iessemony took place in due and an
s-Semt form.
The groom (EzekieD was a very
SeScdlooking young negro. and was ar
rayeG In butternut trousers and
saplsck coat-a present from his mas
Ger.
He seemed to be in delicate health,
nsysever, as ne leaned heavily on the
sRrTs of his walters" and could hardly
SUPPORT himself. but soon discovered
that sfis was part of the etiquette Of
5fss secession.
S'ne preacher was of the typical
stage variety-black. clothes. buck
'rThs collar. and huge horn spectacles,
lcvSr which he contemplated the cou-
gds. who stood up in front of him, with
5lf,SSdt severity.
Ehe next day the happy pair called
S8f al the cabins Gan invariable custom
e-uE the plantations), and then my
grscnG told me that they had gone off
vm "a wedding tour. a round trip on
tss Belle Of the Bend to Vicksburg.
Accustomed to see all the newly
weeds" back in the cotton fields the
Gay after a wedding. she questioned
Ea2mna, on her return. with no little
Ex6s.rest as to how she had enjoyed
;.ee trip.
Nightly. ma'am! Nightly! shoIy
did enjoy it,
And how did Zeke enjoy it," we
.,5Drriad.
Ecker" she echoed in establishment.
-.Zz.ekeg You think I'd let dat fool mig
ses 40 on bridal tower with me. and
syssSd nay money? No, ma'am. l left
sins behind to pick cotton; amt no
1se spoilin' him hathaway. Eff you
sesSns right you ends right. OATS
T@srad j say!" And with these senti-
awasss she fiounced out OF the room.
Tsas0eby we perceived that the germ
nj Isse suffragette movement had pene-
rrn1sd even to the cotton fields.