The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-27
interviewing Mrs. Young,
Denver Tribune

The scheme of interviewinp Brigb5 :,
was an old one-there would be no enter.
prize IN anything of that kind bpt the
idea OF chat with the wife seemed new
and brilliant. i - ny "
Can see Mrs. Brigham Young in
the parfor for few moments - INQUIRED
the reporter at the Office counter of the
American House.
Walk up to the parlor and I'll find
out" said Mr.. Smith.
The parlor was the largest the report-
er had ever seen. 1t was eighty feet one
way and seventy the other, and the cell
ing was so high that the reporter thought
they must have telescope to determine
when it needed whitewashing. He sat
down IN chair in one corner. Pretty
soon a tall, stout lady entered the room
Mrs. Young | suppose? asked the
reporter.
Yes sir, answered the lady.
have called madam, said the report
er, to ascertain your views on questions
involved by polygamy and other institu-
lions peculiar to Mormanism."
All, SIR said the lady pleasantly. as
she took seat, II fear shall be unable
TO crafty your curiosity. Ny husband
has gone out for a walk; when he re-
turns he will doubtless be glad to advise
you upon any topic concerning our faith
OF which it may be proper 10 say any
thing"
But | wish to obtain your views ex-
planned the reporter. MIR. Young has
frequently been heard through the press
while his wife has never been interview
ed. May | hope, madam, that you will
accord the Tribune the honor of being
the first to convey to the public your"
did you wish to see me% inquired
small, thin lady, who had entered the
parlor quite noislessly
Excuse me-" said the reporter, hut
Mrs. Young was the lady asked for.
"Well ! am Mrs. Young" said the
small, thin lady.
Yes" said the tall, stout lady, ''this
is Mrs. Young, and so am /. This is
Sophia, Mr.. Young's fourth wife, while
| am Margaret, his seventh wife-he
calls me Birdie"
The reporter was considerably embar-
raised. He might have been happy
with either, were t'other fair charmer
away.
"Be seated, madam said he: 81
have called to ascertain your views on
the questions involved by polygamy
and other institutions peculiar to Nor
monism."
ooh, but I've nothing to say" pro-
tested the small, thin lady; Brigham
will be in shortly, and maybe he'll talk
with you"
But, madam" urged the reporter,
"Mr. Young has frequently been heard
from through the press, while his wife
beg pardon, ] mean his wives have
never"
"Who was it wanted to see me in the
parlor"' asked a red-haired, freckled-
faced lady coming into the room at this
juncture.
"Why, this gentleman is reporter"
explained the tall, stout lady, "and he
has come to interview us. Mr.. Reporter,
this is Mrs, Lucy Young, my Brigham's
second wife" !
Mrs. Lucy Young bowed stiffly and
sat down on a hair-cloth sofa.
''lm not going to be interviewed" she
said. eff there's any interviewing to
be done, Biggy's got to do it." "a
"Hello, girls, anybody down here want
to see me?'
The inquirer was curly-headed, red
checked young lady, who came bouncing
into the room very unceremoniously
"It's reporter come to interview us,
said the freckled-faced lady.
"a reporter? Why, how funny? ex-
claimed the curly-haired, red-cheeked
young lady, laughing heartily. She sat
down next to the reporter
'I'm one of the Mrs. Young" said
she, "but | mustn't say a word that
is liable to be printed. Brig. would
never forgive me if did. I'm his four
teenth wife, you know, and he's awful
Jealous. Oh, there you are, Emma.
Come in dear. Here's an editor who
wants to interview us"
| Emma was another wife the eighth.
She was cross-eyed, but otherwise come
lly to view. She was followed by
Rachel, the third wife, who was brown
haired and blue-eyed, and demure look
| ing. They were duly introduced. The
reporter felt himself called upon to COM
mence all over again.
"Mrs. Young" said he, addressing the
group, 81 have called to ascertain your
views on questions involved by polyga-
my and other institutions peculiar to
| the Mormons"
wouldn't it be better to call the rest
of us before we attempt to be interview
ed@' suggested the eighth Mrs. Young,
"Perhaps 50" said the reporter. But
but.-but how many are your
sob, we're quite family" said the
fourth Mrs. Young, and going to the par
lor door called out: "Maud, Jennie,
Clara, Rebecca, Harriet, Mabel, Ruth,
Julia, Frances, Mary, Caroline, Esther,
come into the parlor, and bring the rest
of us with you"
The reporter pinched himself to dis
cover whether he was awake. There was
no doubt about it.
Mrs. Young began to stream into the
parlor. There was every variety of her.
| She was tall, short, fat lean, red-faced,
pale-cheeked, plum, scrawny, old, young,
sour, pleasant, vivacious, stupid, grace
lful. and awkward. The parlor got
crowded-why don't they have bigger
parlors at the American House, anyway?