The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-20
An Usage Marriage.

In marrying among the Usage Indians,
the first preliminary is to fall in love as
some civilized people do. And this must
happen without the help Of any modern
appliances
The youth and msidens are not allowed
20 even speak 10 each other. The young
warrior, therefore, with tender heart, can
only look upon the winsome maiden from a
distance, and though he may touch her hand
|, in plays, there can be no sentimental walks
among the moonbeams. They are out Of
the question.
When youth is smitten, the unwritten
law requires him first to confde the secret
to his mother.
If she does not approve, the fame Is
smothered unceremoniously; but if she does
approve, she lays the matter before her
hege lord, and family consultation follows.
If the father also takes a favorable view
of the matter, the youth goes off on hunt,
and returns rs soon as possible with the
most eatsble fawn lie can kill. The choic-
est parts of this his mother, dresses and
cooks in the most elegant nd tempting
manner known to Indian culinary art.
This the youth puts in a basket, and
going in the night, leaves it near the tent
where his beloved dwells. He then hides
in brush, or climbs distant tree where he
can watch the result.
In due time the innocent maid swakes to
find the tempting ''deer" awaiting her. At
first, of co irse-true to her girlish instincts
she will not touch it; but after a while Gu
riosity triumphs and she takes a peep into
the basket. She wonders bow it would
taste; smells it finally, though no Satanic
tempter is nigh, his Eve sooner or later
takes the fatal taste.
As soon 80 she has tasted the meat her
betrothal is sealed. SO in after life she can
not grumble when reminded show mother
used TO cook.
After nightfsll hungry form, breakfast
less, dinnerless, supperless, stealthlly ap-
proaches the basket If it is untouched he
has the consolation that he IS unknown, and
free to try again, and may enjoy his moth
er's cooking to himself. If he finds the has
ket empty he returns to his home with q
light heart and lies him down to pleasant
dreams
The next morning the parents of both par
ties hold consultation. If no one thinks
Of an objection, they smoke in silence for
half day, separate, and the vooing pro-
eeeds But if any objections are raised, they
must be settled before any further steps can
be taken.
If, however, the course runs smooth, the
next question il the value of the girl. Be
fore daylight next morning the youth brings
apony and bitches it near his expected's
tent On the morrow, if the cid folks think
the pony compensates them, for the loss of
their daughter. 1t is led away and pat with
their own herd.
If, however. the pony is Outstanding dur
ing the following night, the lever takes it
away and returns before daylight next morn
4
they are taken awsy during the day, but if
not they are left standing, to be removed at
night and returned next morning, each time
with an additional pony, until tie price is
paid
If the affection or earthly possessions of
the lover should fail before the required
number of ponies are given, then OF the fol-
lowing morning the pO0ies are missing, and
the girls parents are left to regret their av-
arice, and she 10 pine away in sadness.
In her affection, however, she has the
heartfelt sympathy of her sisters, for M girl
is allowed to marry until all her older sisters
are married. Notwithstanding this, wealthy
and influential families sometimes demand
several hundred ponies for daughter
One-hslf Of the ponies 60 to the brides
parents, and one-Ralf or its equivalent to
her dover.
On the morning after the ponies are ae-
cepted, our young warrior goes off for hunt.
If the game bat knew his thoughts, they
would not be likely to regard him as very
dangerous.
The brides occupation is very different.
She is arrayed IN new blanket. new moe
cssins, with beads and feathers az snowy as
the family can afford, placed on her fathers
war-horse, and led about town followed by a
procession of relations, friends, envious girls,
and the inevitable small boy.
Amer having passed in front of every tent
in the village, she is led to tent prepared
by her parents for the new family.
Here four strong men hold blanket by
the corners close beside the horse, the priest