Marriage
When we got married, we eloped. Got the license and decided to
drive out in the country and find as preacher. Found a little church with
three men standing outside. I ask who the preacher was. The biggest one
said, “Me”. I should have known that, Southern preachers do love fried
chicken it seems, it’s a sacrament in some of our Southern Baptist Churches.
I ask him if he could marry me, he said, “I would, but I’m already married”.
After the laughter died down from the three, I told him I brought my own
betrothed with me. After the service in his house witnessed by two men in
overalls I paid the preacher. Later Joyce ask me how much I paid the
preacher. I told her I tithed. “Tithed”? “Yes I gave him a tenth of
everything I have”. “And how much was that”? “Three dollars and fifty
cents”. Joyce has often reminded me about her marrying a man with only
thirty five dollars to his name. I didn’t tell her I have saved up to get
that.