The Van Buren press., 1867-10-18

but when II became necessary to record
her case, hesitated and said r nr
Let me see, sistcr--l forget your
name!' ......... t.t .,f.
"My namer' was the indignant reply
"why. l am your wife,"
"When did marry you!" .1'
\ The woman informed the" President
4 who then referred to an account book in
his desk, and then said; ......
swell, | believe you are right.
knew your face was familiar!' p 'o t--
The Saints are fraternal. There are
no misters and esquires among them.
Everybody is Brother A, or Sister B.
The gentlewomen recognize and visit
only the first wives / conversed alone
with three Mormon women on ther sys-
TEN. Two we're young and unmarried.
The first was all active member OF the
church, and apparently an earnest be.
liever in its doctrines. She spoke OF il
with great ardor, manifesting the desire
universal in the entire community for the
respect and commendation Of strangers.
She laid great stress upon the honesty,
frugality and hospitality Of the people,
the Kindness and Justice of the leaders in
all their dealings, and the special favor
and protection of the Almighty which
their history seemed to imply. But to
my remark that liked everything saw
except polygamy, she answered ingenu-
6usly: q. sl ai'- 'H] a' s'.
well, l don't like that, and don't
know Of anybody who does - a.. 70
The second, though reared in the faith,
and nominally one Of the Saints, had
steadfastly refused all offers of marriage.
She regarded the leaders as charlatans,
declared she would die rather than wed
IN community where plurality of wives
was tolerated, and would leave the Terri
tory but for family ties. A few months
later she did leave to become the wive Of
a Gentle. t"
The third was the wife of prominent
Saint. l had already formed her ac-
quaintance in public, and now encoun-
tered her accidentally for ten minutes in
Gentle parlor. Again and again had
heard her husband aver that the women
not merely acquiesced in polygamy, but
often urged their consorts to take addi-
tional wives. After some general con
versation. she asked:
what is the most noticeable thing
| you find among usr Hr'a rst y.
" The peacefulness Of the rival wives.
The fact that they not only refrain from
breaking each others heads, but general
| ~ seem friendly, sometimes even affec-
tiohate." - Ia..
That is our strong religious convic-
ton. Nothing else could produce it. !
believe our women are better, more pa
tient, than others in the world. Nobody
knows the severity Of the trials they have
to endure" sH.Tu as9Hf 33 hs
Your people have treated us with the
greatest courtesy, and shown us much
which excites our sympathy and admira-
ton. They have exhibited little of your
homelife; but that little only confirms my
previous beliefthatt to give another woman
the sacred name of wife is the greatest
crime, the last possible outrage man
can commit against his own wife and the
mother of his children"
The lady replied with painful earnest
ness, with teeth clinched and every muscle
tense: .- - ...
Certainly it is l would rather see
my daughter in her shroud than married
to a pluralist"
The first wife deems herself superior
to the rest, sometimes refusing to ssso.
ciate or speak with them, or to recognize
the legitimacy Of their marriage.
"Are you Mr. IS only wife ?" ask.
ed Gentle of Mormon lady
II am was the reply, "though sew
eral other women call themselves his
wives" . ..l. t.s 81.
We were told of one poor fellow with
a pair of wives in a single house contain
ing but two rooms. When he brought
home his second spouse, the first indig-
nantly repudiated him, and would no
longer even speak to him. Soon after
the second wife also refused to serve him
further; and the luckless man was sleep.
ing alone upon the floor of his cabin, and
doing his own cooking, washing and
mending, while his consorts were at last
agreed in hating him cordially. Like old
Weller, he had done 1t once too often"
We dined at the house Of leading
Saint, whose two wives were present at
the board, but only as walters, were
dressed precisely alike, and really seemed
to regard each other as sisters.
One porty brother has a wife in near.
ly every village; so that when he makes
an annual tour Of the Territory with
Brigham, he can always stay in his own
house and with his only family Polyg-
amy is at least self sustaining the women
are expected to support themselves.
To CURE PoIsoN FROM IvY.-Rub the
- 4 Al IL