approached the cabin. All were dressed in
their best clothes and the Rev. Vinegar Atts was in the lead.

The bridal pair suddenly remembered something, and they stepped out on
the porch to receive them as they filled the space in front of the
house.

Vinegar took his famous preaching attitude in front of the porch,
inflated his lungs and began:

"Brudder an' Sister Sickety, us is all rejoiced dat you two honey-loves
is got mighty nigh through wid yo' honey-tower widout no fuss or fight.
We welcomes you back to our sawsiety wid glad arms. We hopes dat you
will love each yuther mo' or less an' off an' on ferever! We knows dat
you has well earnt dis house an' lot dat Marse John Flournoy has gib you
an' we cullud folks wants to make you a present of a few change so you
kin buy some nice house-furnicher an' start out fresh an' new."

Thereupon Vinegar laid his stove-pipe hat upside down upon the floor of
the porch, turned and surveyed the assembly while he mopped his bald
head with a yellow bandana handkerchief.

"Walk right up, brudders an' sisters, an' drap yo' few change in dis
stove-pipe preachin'-hat!"

They came up one by one, laughingly depositing their money, and pausing
to shake hands with the bride and groom.

When the ceremony ended, Vinegar emptied his hat upon the floor of the
porch, placed it upon his head with a farewell flourish, and led the
negroes out of the yard.

"Dis money is de fambly secret dem three nigger womens whispered to me,
honey," Pearline giggled.

"Dat's de myst'ry dem three committee fellers tole me," Plaster
chuckled.

The two sat down and counted the money--twenty-five dollars and thirty
cents!

"Dat thuty cents is yourn to spend foolish, Pearline," Plaster said
generously as he pushed three dimes toward her and clutched with both
hands at the rest.

"Hol' on nigger!" Pearline snapped. "I ain't no bayou minnow to git jes'
a little nibble of dat money--half of dat cash spondulix is mine."

"Yes'm, but I is de man of de fambly an' I oughter keep it an' han' it
out to you as you needs it."

"I needs my half right now," Pearline snapped, placing both her hands
upon the clutching paws of Plaster Sickety.

"Whut you gwine do wid twelve dollars an' fo' bits?" Plaster demanded in
irate tones.

"Buy me a hat!" Pearline told him.

"You's a fool!" Plaster informed her. "Female hats ain't furnicher."

"Dis money furnishes me wid a hat," she announced positively.

Then they s