The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-02-27
MisrrIlaNp.
THE PHANTOM BRIDES.
BY HARRY HAxLKF0N.


The laws Of marriage amonS soiS esShs Iadisa
tribes are peculiar-almost ~ peculiar - some
Of our own laws Of divorce. Oae Of tAeae Lawn
REQUIRES in case of the death in battle Of young
chief. who leaves wife without issue b thS
male line that the brother of the chief, g biz
nearest male relative, should take the vile him
cell, aud raise up young warriors from the union
The woman has no voice in the matter, but il
expected to yield implicit obedience - this do
cree, regardless of her own inolinatious.
A war had ragged for some time among the
Sioux Indians and the early settlers Of Hinneso-
Ia, and the latter had been nearly oil killed or
driven from their frontier homes. One more bat
tie was exp cted, and it came, bloody In its re-
cults. Lake Pepin was red with blood, and
many a mangled form doated upon its silvery
bosom. many Of vhomwere sxvsges, but the ms
jority were white men. IA
While the eight ragged tv0A young equaws sat
upon the Minnesota shore, en4erly Washing its
progress Tney had kept thsnselves carefully
concealed: but when they saw that their red
brothers were victorious they oane boldly forth,
and rs they watched the feet of oanoesl nearing
the land, it appeared AS if they could not keep
back the cry Of joy which arose 70 their lipA,
Presently one of the women sank back upon
the ground The smile faded fron her lips, and
her face presented striking coptr6At to that Of
her companion, who stood waving her hands TO-.
ward one Of the approaching boats. But she
happened to glance toward the strisken one, and
she asked: 49,
"Minuie, what is the mattsri Do VOW not
.No, Pepin, weep--I weep r was the reply
SHOW is it that you weep, Minnie, while feel
20 much JOY p
"Have you no rse for tears, Pepinp"
"No. Why shoaid I weepf Our homes were
threatened 10y our pale face foes, but they have
been beaten back, and we are free now"
"Yes, free from the pale-fscss but do you not
think Of the blood tn At has been she'd ?"
"Yes-oh, yes but war always costs blood
weep for our brave fallen, it is true, but rejoice
that my husband returns safely 10 me. Look at
him in ycnder Muoe. See now proud and noble
he looks. His eyes fl sh with the fires of victory
and his bosom pants with emotion. Oh, how /
long to clasp my Horizon IN my arms and rejoice
with him 7" gasa}ss.r
eyes, I see that your husband ia returning;
but what OF miner' .AH
Z "Yours, Minnie +" repeated Pspia, her man
aer changing as she glanced from enc oaaoe 70
another. "'r - 'f,8-sy
eyes. Where is my hssbAadp Whore il
Oshkosh 2" sas aeav ssss7 ~.
"Do YOU not see him Z" % X ~. ~ 70 Y,.eslt
$40. He is not in his caaos. He il dsad.r
Pepia clasped both hands ever her head and
staggered back. She remained silelt for mo-
Z nent. and then said 81 ,,"t',.i ,..tI
i.l "Oshkosh is not in sight, trsly; bat he may
b wounded. He may be lying N the bottom Of
his boat or he may nave boon taken prisoner
! Oh, he must yet he alive " y WI R.sm8
The manner of Pepin was even more excited
than that of the wife, and ~ the party Game
Aearer she too sank back upon the grouad, and
even wept flap alsa lt@
In moment after her husband, Horizon.
tssped upon the shore. He was noble looking
man, and one that any forest maiden might we'll
have loved. He advanced directly to his wife,
and he seemed somewhat surprised as lie gaized
upon her Then he said, in q voice some what
eemmandng: 4 jla
"Pepin, we are victorious. Do you not re-
jsice?'
"Yes," She answered meekly, arising to her
feet
'Bat find You in tears. Why is this2v
81 was thinking ofour dead"
"You should not think of them. We cannot
have war without shedding blood
81 know it, Horizon
THE warrior dies nobly we should not weep
for him."
"And yet tears will como.'
''They should not, / tell you. You should not
weep, even if should fall" 4
''No, Horizon, should not weep if you we're
20 fall. Hove you with all'wy poor heart, and
II had seen, you brought back dead, 1 could
have knelt by you side, kissed your cold lips and
folded my arms acrsss my breast. laid me dow
by you, and die. Then wewould be again uni.
led in the spirit land and you would be all my
own" 49,, FFIFEFs
The young chief appeared u nnderstand the
feelings of his wife now, and be remained silent
The party returned to their village, situated
sear the falls of the Mississippi, now called tie
Falls of St. Anthony.
One week passed rapidly by. During this time
Horizon had scarcely spoken to his wife, al
though his manner had been very tender toward
her. He had remained closely in his lodge, and
very thoughtful "a u
On the seventh day after the battle he ap.
preached his wife and said "
"Pepn, will you listen to mop"
Eyes, my husband she turaing ashy pale and
sit" a@rt8Tth aa
regarded her with lsok of pity Then he said
"Pepin, seven days ago my brother, Oshkosh,
was killed in battle
EYES," she replied family
"Hc left wife behind him, and she is child
aess." - =
Eyes, know this"
and YOU know osr laws
Yes"
II must take Minnie to be my wife,
II know this must be done," replied the wo-
san, her cheek now pale as DEATH although she
bad subdued her trembling.
Are You content?" asked the husband, fixing
ssearching look upon her.
poor Pepin must be content"
81 cannot see that she has any reason for dis
content" 81 ~
LET mo ask my husband ono question, and /
Know that he will answer truly"
The lips Of the Indian curled with uride as be |