Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-01-20
a Drrs,l a.aar Asnang AIormons.

Onmy arrival at the Lehl | was di-
rected, as usual, to the bishops house
for entertainment. Rapping at tho
door / was soon confronted by large.
heavy built, broad-shouldered fellow,
who asked me, in anything but polite
language, what / wanted. | informed
him that | desired entertainment for
the night.
where are you fromP"
''California, sir. F"
"Where are you goingg"
sSouth," | answered. After plying
me with a few more questions of SIM
liar nature, he invited me in. On en-
tering the house, he turned to me and
said:
'.Do you see that rifle up thereP"
Looking up to the point indicated !
saw one of those long, murderous
rifles, resting snugly upon the antlers
of a Rocky mountain buck. l told
him that saw it, and much admired
the artistic manner of hanging it.
"Well, mister, that is our lawmaker.
When anyone comes among us and
commits any dirt we do not hesitate to
use it. Now, listen to me. l am the
bishop of this settlement | 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 rifle and mind
what told you. Can you do it?'
1t was a mighty hard job, but first
told him that was at his command,
/ and if it was his honest desire why of
course Iwould obey him. At that
time he babe me to follow him into an
adjoining room, where his family was
assembled. l was dimly conscious
that there were several females seated
around the fire. He drew up chair
and babe me be seated. Turning to
the women he gave them orders to
prepare supper, he himself taking my
orders for what l wished.
All this time dared not turn my
head nor look toward anyone but the
bishop l knew that his eyes were up
on me, and that his two wives and
daughters were studying me closely.
l was greatly embarrassed, but withal
managed to dispose of hearty supper,
at the conclusion of which we again
returned to the sitting-room. 1t was
by this time quite dark; and his son, a
large, athletic fellow, coming in, the
, bishop told him to entertain me, and
at the proper time to show me to bed.
F Putting on his overcoat and fur cap,
for it was quite cold, he babe me good
night. saying that he was compelled to
attend ward meeting. Before clos
ing the door he pointed to the rifle
overhead and said Remember,
young man, what told your
1t was positively unkind of him to
remind me of it, for the confounded
old gun was constantly on my mind.
T | had seen some of their treacherous
} work, and had heard much more.
+ knew what they were capable of doing,
and after the circumstances, dared not
+, disobey his warning. The door closed
I and he was gone. The ladies were
) seated on my right, the son on my left.
I To make assurance doubly sure turn
p ed my back to the ladies, and, facing
the young man, entered into converse
ton with him. One of the ladies got
up several times and went to the door
g Finally she came up and bluntly asked
me if was Mormon. hardly knew
t what to do. l had been warned
J, against speaking to or even looking a.
: any of the women. Was she trying tt
S draw me into trouble? She certainly
!, knew that l had been forbidden to ad
!, dress her under penalty of death. Ye
. there she stood, calmly inviting me tt
my fate. The young mans, eyes wer'
= upon me. Great beads of perspiratior
started out on my forehead
'.Do not fear to speak, young man
!, he has gone, and will not return be
fore midnight" She said, and at tina
" she laid her hand on my head.
), ''It's all right, stranger" said thu
a son. Its all right; speak up ant
n look around you as much as yo'
o. please. I'll vouch for your safety"
r The ice was now broken and turning
i 10 the old lady | said that was not
/, Mormon.
s ..Thank God for that" she said, an
then the conversation became general
was told all about the heartaches ant
sufferings of the original wife; how il
almost every case they had been de
# luded into joining the Mormon fait
: under false pretenses; what shame an
l. modification came over them when
s was found out that a second or thir
d wife was to be taken into the house
o hold. l was rather reticent, and di
d not express my opinion on the subjec
b as otherwise would have done. Th
y two daughters were comedy and ful
e of life About 10 o'clock they bad
10 me good night and retired. A hal
d hour later l was conducted to my room
y by the young man.-Cincinna@ En-
d Qslirer.