Smyrna times., 1856-09-24
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Wife Usage; !, or, Aboriginal matrimo-
.hss s,as at sniaI Justice. .tasl as -

Filss ss1# ~ NAL JUSTICE. ti.1+l a. - j
The following is chapter from the "Lifel
and Adventures of James Beckwourth ''; =
"After residence among them (the Black
/. Feet Indans) of a few days, had slight DIFF
e icalty in my family affairs. A party of Indi-
ans came into camp one day, bringing with
them three white mems scalps.. The sight of
them made my blood boil with rage; but there
was no help for it, so determined TO wait with
palieneemy eday of revenge In accordance
with their custom,'a scalp dance was held, at
which there was much additional rejoicing.
"My wife came to me with the information
that her people were rejoicing, and that she
wished to join them in thedanee.3 81 sd ~
81 repIied,5"No, these scalps belong to my
people; my heart is crying for their death; you
must not fejoice when my heart cries-you
must not dance when mourn
IA [. She then went out, as supposed. satisfied
My two white friends, having great curiosity
Ito witness she performance, were looking ou
upon the scene. reproved them for wishing
TO witness the savage reioicings over the fallo
white men who had belonged to our own com
pahy vi ln.A .iegsaespf ~ te,t'
"one of them answered, "Well, your wifi
is the best dancer of the whole party; she out
dances them ali.,& 9ash o''a '~'' 5."a,''t'
~ aThis was sting which pierced my ver
heart, Taking my battle-axe and forcing my
self into the ring, watched my opportunity
and struck my disobedient wife heavy bio,
on the head with the side of my battle-axs
which dropped her as if a ball had pierced he
na0" Idrsggaa her throughshe crowd and lie
ther,sad weas back to my tent. ",'i Ia 80
This act was performed IN such bold maj
ner, under theyery noses of hundreds of ther
that they were thunderstruek, andfor a nome
remained motionless.s When entered the te
i mid to my companions--s There, now, y
hadbetter prepare tohold on to your own seal
since you take so much interest in a celebrate
over those Of your murdered brethrenltoST
eountenances turned ashy pale, expecting
slant death. lssE ,ssA ,,lisa' 1'f
aasBy this time the whole Indian camp v
in blaze. Kill him kill him burn hi
onrn him! was shouted, through the camp
their own language, which plainly understo
1 was collected, for I knew they could kilf
h.. % ~ - = Qgk HttA .fe1
'S~soon heard the voice Of my ,father-ip-l
crying, in, . lone that sounded above all,F ~
hold! hold WARRIORS. lisfen.to your chief.a
"All was hushed in an instant, and he
'tiuueds. Warriors. am the loser Of a ddar
Ter. anu her brothers have lost a sister,; IS
have lost nothing, She was the wife of
II ttader gave her to HIM When your W
II dlsobey ysuss GONNA hdsi you Kill them; tina
II your rightaa,rhat thing disobeyed her husb'
L he told her not 10 dance, she disobeyed 4
she had no ears; he killed, her, and he
right! 81 .si,s, - tb.Flhe'
| sA....... sA... us.. came q ~ s,S,.s camp an and Z
i my son.. you have done right; that won
gave you had no sense; her ears were sio
up; she would not heafken 10 you, and yo'
arightto kill her. Bat | have another ds
ier who is younger than she was, She 10
y 'aaka - fisltAa-t 49, atg =.