Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-30
SiWash uuptials,

'"'"N J s'~PsSu W JuWP t"a'
aower-besprinkled, pebble-stone .pattered
Wihe.' But noble red man, gifted in
tongues Gust as the ApoetlAs were), who
speaks the universal Chinook, the deep
gutteral Of the Makahs, the throat. choking
language Of the Sklallams, the snceze and.
go.onc dialect of the Cowlitz, the fsh.bone.
in.the.throat uttcranccs of the Hum-tu.
lips, and the hundred and one other
strange pervcrsions of that original tongue
that driftcd to these shores centuries ago
from the coasts Of Asia, was to be united
in "holy wcdlock" 20 one Of Nisqually 5
dusky maidcns.
The bride expectant, deeply in love with
the man Of many tongues, sat in the lodge
Of her parents, "eager-eyed" but patient.
The groom Chat was to beg had arrived
with his mounted retinue. Young ST.
washes, gorgeous in ochre faces and rain
bow. hued ribbons canteted their cayuscs
over the grassy plains, Shouting monoton-
Gus feast songs.
The elders of the tribe, grouped in fam
tastic clusters, told tales of:foEmer festivi-
ties, or recounted the glories Of those days
when Bostons" never disturbed the land
with their presence, and the forests every
where we're free to the noble red man s
use.
In grave council sat the older influential
friends. of the high contracting powers.
But one thing was required to complete
the marriage settlement. All we're agreed
as to the horses, blankets, muskets, calico,
-four, sugar and shawls the friends of the
bridegroom were to offer the parents in
compensation for the loss of their daugh.
ter. The smoked salmon and coffee were
ready to set forth the marriage feast. But,
alas the bride had many cousins. They
could not endure the thought of separa-
ton. Their wounds must have some
healing balm poured in. What could
minister to their minds diseased? That
was the question. And a kuotty question
it proved to be! Minutes became hours !;
hours lapsed into days; and still the coun.
Gil was protracted.
The leading cousin was Onc-Eycd Rich
ard, hereditary chief of The tribe, stubborn
as rock, shrcwd as asfox. avaricious as a
miser. This chieftain, against all others,
stood out for large remuneration. Should
the flower Of the prairie" the "lilly of
Nisqually," the "turtle dove Of the Re-
servation," be taken from her " tilicums"
and they receive no consolation. The
Great Spirit forbid! No! Two hundred
dollars, in bright half dollars pieces, must
be paid, or Nisqually. Anna must forego
her husband, and Martin his promised
spouse. Nothing could change this de.
cision. The ultimatum had been reached.
The would-be groom refused these terms.
With stole dignity he folded up his blan.
kets, shawls and dry goods, and in solemn
procession he and his friends withdrew.
The shades of night came on apace. In
her fathers lodge squatted Nisqualy-
Anna. Often she asked her maidens,
"why delayeth my lord his coming? Why
are his feet so slow ?" At last the curtain
mating was pushed aside, and her parents
entered the lodge. Their faces told the
story. Words were not needed! Burst
the maiden and her firing women into
wailings. Louder and louder grew their
outcrys. From other lodges came other
Klutchmen and added their tears and la
mentatious. All night long there was
mourning, mourning, mourning; Nisqually.
Anna weeping for her. bridegroom, and
would not be comforted because she had
none. Daylight came at last and brought
healing on its wings. The stern parents
were unable to endure the presence of SO
much grief: Their cayuses were caught
and mounted. The friends Of the groom
were collected. They went with the parents
to the house Of Martin (the man of many
tongues), and told him. - Come and take
Nisqually-Auua, free Of Ill charges"
In true old traditional style the nuptials
were celebrated. With Song and board
beating, with horse aud foot racing, with
gifts of goods from friend to friend, with
barbecue and feasting, ana then amid the
blessings Of the tribes, they mounted and
away. And Mount Rainier raised his
hoary head, and cast the pure reflections
Of his massive features ever all the scene.
~ Our attention has been called to a
flower we may properly denominate the
queen Of lillies-thelilly dxrosum or golden
| ISvISy ~