The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-08-14
AMONG THE MORNONS.
QUEER METHODS OF ENTERTAINMENT.
a DruuImer's Experience Tho
Bishop Poin<s out His Law
Maker and Lodges the Wis.,
tor for Night.

soon confronted Dy n large, heAVlly-DuIb,
broad -shouldered fellow, who asked me,
in anything but polite language, what l
wanted? informed him that I desired
entertainment for the night
Where are you from ~
California, sir"
Where are you going 80
South, !" 1 answered. After plying me
with a few more questions Of a similar
nature he invited me in, On entering the
house he turned to me and said
Do you see that rifle up there 80
Looking up to the point indicated saw
one of those long, murderous rifles, COM
monty called Mississippi rifles resting
snugly upon the antlers of a Rocky Noun
tain buck, told him that ] saw it, and
much admired the artistic manner Of
hanging 1t.
well, mister, that is our law maker.
When any one comes among ms and com
mits any dirt we do not hesitate for one
moment to use It, Now, listen to mo.
am the Bishop of this settlements. l have
two wives and several daughters. Now,
If you can promise me not to speak TO, or
even look at, any of my women folks you
are welcome to remain over night. Keep
your eye on that rife and mind what l
told YOU Can you do it :"
1t was a mighty hard JOB, but l first
told him that was at his command, and
If it was his honest desire. why, of course
would obey him. At that time he bade
me follow him into an adjoining room,
where his family was assembled. 1 was
dimly conscious that there were several
females seated around the fire. He drew
up chair for me, and bade me be seated.
Tuning to the women, he gave them or
ders to prepare supper, he himself taking
my orders for what | wished.
All this time | dared not turn my head
or look toward any one but the Bishop |
knew that his eyes were upon me, and
that his two wives and daughters were
studying me closely. | was greatly en-
barrassed, but withal managed to dispose
OF a hearty supper. at the conclusion of
which we again returned to the sitting
room. 1t was by this time quite dark,
and his son, large, athletic fellow, com
ing in, the Bishop told him to entertain
me, and at the proper time, show me to
bed. Putting on his overcast and fur
cap. for it was qnite cold, he bsde me
goodnight, saying that he was compelled
to attend ward meeting. Before clos
ing the door. he pointed to the rife over
head, and said Remember, young man,
what | told you"
1t was positively unkind of him to re-
mind me of it, for the oonfounded old gun
was constantly on my NINA. naQ seen
some little of their treacherous work, and
had heard much more. knew what they
were capable Of doing. and, under the cir
Oumstances, dared not disobey his warn
ing. The door closed and he was gone
The ladies were seated on my right the
son on my left. To make assurance doubly
sure, turGed my back to the ladies, and
facing the young mau entered into a con
versatiOn with him. One of the ladies
got up and went to the door several times
Finally she came up behind me, and
bluntly asked II was NormonY Ihard-
ly knew what to do. had been warned
against speaking to or even looking at
any of the women. Was she trying to
draw me into troublef She certainly
knew that l had been forbidden to address
her under the penalty of death. Yet
there she stood, calmly inviting me to my
fate. The young mans eyes were upOn
me- Great beads of perspiration started
out on my forehead.
DO not fear to speak, young man he
has gone, and VIII not return before mid
night" she said, and at that she laid her
hand on my head,
ITS all right, stranger" said the son.
It's all right; speak up and look around
you as much as you please, I'll vouch for
your safety"
The ice was now broken, and, turning
to the old lady, I said that was not a
Mormon.
Thank God for that ~ she said. and
then the conversation became general 1
was told all about the heartaches and
sufferings of the first or original wife
how in almost every case they had been
deluded into joining the Mormon faith
under false pretences what shame and
modification came over them when it
=
was to be taken into the household 1
was rather reticent, and l did not ex-
press my opinion ON the subject as 1 other
wise would have done. The two daugh-
ters were comely and full of life. About
10 o'clock they bid me good night and re
tired. A half hour later / was conducted
to my room by the young man.
Ascending a pair of stairs and entering
the door to my right 1 was somewhat
amazed to find myself in the bedchamber
of the young ladies, who had by this time
retired. Their lamp was still burning
and having forgotten all previous warn
inRs, 1 allowed my eyes to roam at will
around the room, and naturally they rest
ed on two dimpled faces beneath snowy
caps. As | WAS enjoying the scene | was
brought to a realization of my position by
the deep tones OF the young man, who
said
"This way, please" and taking me by
bnb arm pointed 70 q D60 N an adjoining
room, remarking. You will sleep there" +"
The rooms were connected by a double
doorway. The doors had been dispensed
with, and, consequently we were virtu-
ally in the same room. l was soon snug
ly slowed away, and as naught divided us
but an imaginary door, my courage re-
vived. Situated as | WAS l began to anal
we my feelings. Here | was in the house
OF strangers. True, one head of the fam
lily had forbidden me to hold any commu-
nication with the other part, while the
other part OF the family had vetoed the
first injunction, and | had obeyed them
both. Here was certainly confidence. 1t
struck me that the young ladies were eK-
ceedingiy vfvaciogs, as they kept up a
constant litter, and their murmurings OF
soft nothiRRs were Somewhat embarrass-
ing to my sensitive nature. / WAS just
beginning to congratulate myself on hav-
ing 50 much confidence reposed in me by
my host, whom what was my astonish-
ment to see the young man dragging a
mattyass into the doorway and make his
bed there. As he was going to lie down
he drew forth a large-sized siX-shooter
and placing it under his pillow, lay down
to sleep. | WAS virtually under errest
There he lay between me and liberty All
my dreams of confidence were instantly
knocked into n cooked hat. l was not
sorry when the sun arose next morning
Cincinnati Enquirer.