Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-07-21
business men turns
woP&D1AN ooArsHr.
How the Copper-Uolored Romeo wins
his Dusky Mate.

There are many different ways of doing
the courting-somewhat different from
Dur own, yet no less cunning and sue
cessful. Whether successful or not in
the suit, the young mans relish for food
and other pleasures of life is not IN the
least diminished; he meets his disap-
pointment in love unlike my friend, the
doctor, who, during unfavorable periods,
forsakes his meals, looks pale and con-
templates the various ways OF suicide.
When young man likes girl, he soon
discovers her feelings towards him. lie
will carefully follow her footsteps, until
he catches her alone-sitting on the
grass. on a rock or dead tree. He
quickly throws blanket over her head
and crawls to her side under the pro
tecting shelter. If the girl likes to be
thus captured, there will be peace and
ouietness. and they will sit de by side
for hours. without whispering, kissing,
or other endearing little triiles-they
simply press closely together and look
sadly happy. But if the girl is averse to
the proceeding, there will be short,
sharp and decisive battle, which always
ends to the discomfort of the amorously
inclined swain, for he dare not persist
by force.
Capt. W. z. Clark, in his work, says
that the oPlain Indians do the most OF
their counting in standing position.
An Indian lover will stand and wait
near the lodge, where abldes the OBJECT
of admiration, until she appears, when
he walks up alongside of her and throws
his blanket around her. If she recipro-
Gates the tender sentiment, they VIII
thus stand for hours, his blanket cover
ing both their heads and closely wrap
ped round both their bodies.
| have seen as many as half dozen
Young men waiting by the path, which
led down to the water near camp, ana
one after another throw his blanket
around a girl rs she was going down 10
fiji the water vessel. While so waiting or
standing outside lodge, they usually
have their heads entirely covered with
their blanket, excepting only a little
hole for one eye. If the girl likes 10 De
held, she makes some reply TO the llTSt
tender greeting; if she expresses dislike
to his advances, the man, by the law OF
cOurtShip. must at once deSlSt.
The boys aspire TO appear IS men at
the age of l6 or Is; they have become
successful hunters and warriors, and, as
soon as their means warrant, they Will
marry. The girls, under the tutorage
of their mothers, learn the manifold de
tails of their future life of drudgery and
attain womanhood at about IL, when
they soon after marry.
After the young man has succeeded
in courtShip il becomes necessary TO
obtain the consent of the parents and
relatives. He puts on his robe with the
hair-side out, draws it over his head, so
as TO entirely conceal his face, and in
this guiSe walks to the lodge Oh the IN
tended fair one, enters and squats down.
No one addresses him, nor does he utter
a word-but his object IS sufficiently
understood by all concerned. Having
thus sat in silence awhile, he arises and
passes out. After a lapse of a few days
he repeats his visit, wearing his robe as
before. If, upon entering, the bear-skln
or other seat of honor was made ready
for his reception, he is at liberty to dis
close MS face and be seated, for such
welcome indicated thathis addresses were
not unacceptable; but if he met with no
such preparations, he might as well re-
tire, for his attentiGls are not regarded
fayorably. If ne was received, the
Young girl soon took her seat by his side.
The father of the girl would then sug-
rast that both families of the contract
ing parties make feast, and hold coun-
ell concerning the proposed alliance:
This is done within few days, and
usually results in harmonious solution
of the all-important question. 1t Is sell
dom that the match falls through on
account of the poverty or of some stigma
attached to the suitor, or the personal
aversion of the maiden.
In the latter case, if the man was ac-
ceptable to her relatives, they endeavor
to overcome her opposition by persua-
sion. in some cases even reSorting to
violence, cruelty beating her with their
fists or sticks until consent Is eXtorted.
If no cause of objection was raised on
either side, then the two families pro-
ceed to settle up the price that the
Young man should pay. This custom OF
paving for the wife is universal among
all Indian tribes; the coSt-from one to
six horses. The union then follows
without any further ceremony, than a
final feast given by the girls father.
The husband generally goes to the lodge
of the father-in-law and lives there with
his wife. A particular part of the lodge
is allotted to him. and hencefOrth he Is
a member of that family.
With many tribes the son-in-law mar
ries his wife's sisters as they become
marriageable, paying to the father a
horse or two for each successive one.
Hence the son-in-law usually speaks of
his wife's sisters as wives, though they
might yet be small children.
When a white man marrleS an Indian
woman, it is a genuine sale, growing
out of greed or gain or some benefit,
real or imaginary, which will accrue to
the father and relatives; the poor, dirty
maiden is often led away with tears and
protestations of a most violent nature,
i r.. EaaTl .EHnl