The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-08-18

| lCFCloCos ht lOot ohC yiClo-
ed; her lover gave her so many trinkets.
True, they were brass and tin; but Dab
cotah maidens cannot sigh for pearls and
diamonds, for they never even heard Of
them; and the philosophy of the thing is
just the same, since everybody is outdone
by somebody. Besides, her lover played
the flute all night long near her fathers
wigwam, and, not to speak of the pity she
felt for him, Walking Wind was confident
she never could sleep until that flute stop.
ped playing which she knew would be as
soon as they were married. For all the
world knows that no husband, either white
or copper colored, ever troubles himselfto
pay any attention Of any sort TO his wife,
however devotedly romantic he may have
| been before marriage.
Sometimes the Dahcotah lover buys his
wife without her CONSENT but the War
| Club was more honorable than that! he
loved Walking Wind, and he wanted her
to love him.
When all was settled between the young
couple, War Club told his parents that he
wanted to marry. The old people were
glad to hear it, for they like their ancient
and honorable names and houses to be
kept up, Just as we'll as lords and dukes do;
so they collected everything they owned
for the purpose ofbuying Walking Wind.
Guns and blankets, powder and shot,
knives and trinkets, were in requisition, In
stead of title deeds and settlements. So,
when all was ready. War Club put the
presents on horse, and carried them to
the door of W alking Winds wigmam.
He does not ask for the girl, however,
as this would not be Dahcotah etiquette.
He lays the presents on the ground, and
has consultation, or, as the Indians say,
a ''talk" with the parents, concluding by
asking them to give Walking Wind for
his wife.
The parents then consult for day or
two, although they, from the first moment,
have made up their minds as to what they
are going to do. In due time the presents
are taken into the wigwam which signifies
to the lover that he is a happy man. And
on the next day Walking Wind is to be
a bride.
Early in the morning, Walking Wind
commenced her toilet--and it was no light
task to deck the bride in all her fnery.
Her moccasins were worked with porcu-
pine, and fitted closely her small feet; the
Ieggins were ornamented with ribbons of
all colors; her cloth shawl, shaped like a
mantilla, was worked with rows of bright
buttons, and the sewing did honor to her
skill in nedlework. Her breast was GOV.
cred with breaches, and quantity Of beads
hung round her neck. Heavy earrings
are in her ears-and on her head is dia.
dem Of war eagles feathers. She has a
bright spot of vermillion on each cheek,
and-behold an Indian bride.
When she is ready, as many presents
as were given for her are collected and
put on horse; and the bride accompan-
led by three or four relations, takes the
road to the wigwam Of the bridegroom.
When they arrive within hundred yards
of the wigwam, Walking Winds father
calls for the War Club to come out He
does not come, but sends out one of his
relations t. receive the bride. Do not
suppose that Walking Winds father takes
offence at the bride-groom's not coming
when he is called; for it is as much part
of the ceremony, among the Dahcotahs,
for one of the brides relations to call the
bridegroom, and for the groom to refuse
TO come, as it is for us to have the ring
put upon the third finger of the left hand.
As soon as the warrior duputed by the
husband elect to receive the bride makes
his appearance, the Indians raise shout
of applause, and all run towards him as
he approaches them, and while they are
running and shouting they are firing off
their guns too.
But the ceremony is not yet over. Walk.
ing Wind, in order to complete the cere.
monies, to be wife must jump upon the
back of her husbands relative, and thus
be carried into the wigwam, of which she is
to be the mistress.
What situation for bride! Walking
| Wind seriously thinks ofrebelhng; she hes
itates-while the man stands ready to start
for the wigwam so soon as the luggage is
on. The bride draws back and pouts
little, when some of her friends undertake
to reason with her; and she, as if to avoid
them, springs upon the back of the Dah-
cotah, who carries her into the wigwamr
But where on earth, is the bridegroom.
Seated on the ground in the teepee, look
ing as placid and unconcerned as if moth
ing was going on. OF course he rises I'd
receive his bride? Not he; but Walking
Wind is on her feet again, and she takes
her seat without any invitation, by the side
of him who is literally to be her lord and
master-and they were man and wife. AS
much so, as if there were Priest and d
ring, pearls and bride-cake. For the Dab.
cotah reveres the ceremony of marriage,
and he thinks with solemn awe of the bu.
rial rites of his nation, as we do. These
rights have been preserved from generation
to generation, told from father to son, and
they will be handed down until the Dahco.
tabs ara no more or until RELIGION and Cd