The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-06-18
With the Zuni Indians.


Last summer when Mr.. Gushing went
East with the Zunis, he married a
young lady at Washington, to whom he
had long been engaged, and BROUGHT
her back bride to live in an Indian
howell.
He was compelled to Join the tribe in
order to pursue his researches. for the
Lunis are secretiye people, and their
reilgion and traditions are as secret as
Masonry, After joining them the lead
ing men OF the tribe endeavored to per-
suade him to marry one of the dusky
maidens who sit around half naked in
the sun, mold pottery and weave blank
cts And he came near losing his influ-
ence with the Indians, and even stood
IN danger of his life because of his re.
iusal to do so. Twice were women Sc
ieeted for him, but he risked penalty of
rejecting them, and would have Jared
badly but for the protection of the native
governor, who had adopted him into his
family and given him a bed of sheep-skins
in his rude home.
Gushing told the Indians of his en-
gagement to young lady in Washing
ton, and of his intention to marry her
to live with them, and although their
preference would have been for him to
take wife from the tribe their gallant
~ overcame their prejudice, and they
received the pale face, brown-eyed
bride with a respectful and cordial well
come. ~ E-s
Mrs Gushing was the daughter of the
late MIR. Magill, who was for many
years connected with the venerable
banking house of Lewis johnson & Co,
of Washington, and was one of the
bellies of the capital. Her devotion to
her husband runs parallel to his devo-
ton TO science, for there are few girls
would leave beautiful home at Wash
ington for mud hut in an Indian pueb-
10, even for the men they loved
A man or woman who does not love
luxury fails to reach or realize the priv
ileges and possibilities of existence; but
he or she who cannot dispense with lux
ury and enjoy roughing it is worthless
weakling unfit for the tasks and the tn
umphs that this great world offers. Mr..
Gushing belongs to that ancient frater-
nifty, the badge of which is always APP
parent, even under the barbaric cos
tune of the Zuni--the honorable order
of gentleman-and in his rude surround
ings and primitive accommodations ev-
cry sign he gives detects this order to
which he belongs and of which in Wash
ington or in Zuni he will ALWAYS be an
ornament. t'A
Mrs. Gushing does not enjoy life in
Zuni as her husband does She does not
and cannot share his fascination for the
work - which he is engaged. She
hates the dirty women aud the naked
children, and despises their filthy ways,
but she has made her mud hut pref
ty little paradise, and has developed
the possibilities of comfort even in
Zuni. s.ssE
The clay walls of her rude house are
hung with blankets woven by the Zunis
and Navajo Indians, and compare in
brilliancy of color, texture, and design
with the far-famed Gobelin Tapestries
The ceilings of uRdressed trunks of trees
are covered with bright figured cretons
and Japanese silks. The mud floor is
strewn with sheep skins, tanned by the
Indians, that are softer to the slippered
foot than the rugs of Oriental magnif-
cence, and ornaments selected with re-
fined taste or framed with clever hands
after the models Of decorative art are
hung here and fastened there, and
strewn everywhere The Cushing resi-
dence is mud hat without, but within a
bower Of beauty.
She has her sister Miss Magill, with
her, who likes the Zunis better than
Mrs. Gushing, and is talking of adopt
ing their peculiar dress and joining their
tribe.
Il would do it, :" said Miss Magill; lit
would be so funny and romantic, but |
don't like 10 cut my hair -
nr. Gushing, brother of Frank, and
his wife are there as visitors, and Mr.,
Metcalf, the well-known artist of Bos-
ton.-Z4H ~ ~ Cor, CAicago Inter
Oceuls.