Telegram-herald., 1889-06-01
AN INDIAN weOOlNG.

AN INDIAN WEDDING.
How . Converted siour Couple wsre Mar
ried at - Western Agency.
On We went unul quite abruptly we came
upon a grove OF trees, IN the midst OF which,
following a winding path, we found the little
chapel. writes Rosa T. Shelton in Chicago
Advance. Small and rude in many ways, II
had quiet dignity, and we felt solemnity
IS we approached II, listening 10 It's bell
which 50 regularly called from their sun
and stone worship the Indian children OF
the prairle" Inside the fading hight came
softly through the stained glass windows,
scarcely penetrating: making sllhoue,tes OF
the faces, dark even in the sunlight.
Gradually our eyes became accustomed
70 the dim light, and we discovered ven
erable Indian IN his kindly way beckoning
- forward 10 seats Of honor just before
the chanceL Indians are always kindly In
their feelings toward those white men
whom they can trust; warm hearted and
true are they 10 those whom they can prove
their friends; more often IS the smile seen
than the frOwn, and only after bitter wrong
does the cruel, savage part Of their nature
show itself Treacherous they are not; sus-
piclOus, the white man has made them.
Their true character is much distorted by
Us Eastern people, until We have lived
among them.
Poor as was the little mission church, 1t
stu possessed a simple, embroidered altar
cloth, and the rectOr's chair was one of those
made only for holy places. Gas was not
known here, and wax candles were too
costly, so the altar was lighted with simple
kerosene, sending out feeble rays over the
wooden benches below. A small cabinet
organ stood ~ one side Of the altar, but the
wedding march would seem out OF place at
the simple Indian marriage, and was tit-
tingly left out. Through those windows,
which were open, tree bOughs bent and
rustled, and mosquitoes lnnumerable entered
unforbidden. But what more suitable at a
marriage Of Natures children, than that all
nature, animate and inanimate, should lend
presence there.
The church gradually filed. Indian
squaws with babies predominated IN the
audience. Tho sad-faced rector, in gown
and surplice, entered with book in hand.
The hour arrived, but the bride was late.
The father Of the bride came, leading a
little boy, followed by the mother and three
small children. The father wore his
citizens dress, with handkerchief knotted
around his neck; the mother came IN her
shawl, the most important detail Of az In
dian woman's dress.
After q dead silence, broken frequently
BY the noise OF babies and dogs outside,
there sounded at the door a shutting OF
heavy boots, unlike the soft, soundless
steps Of Indian feet in mOccasins, and
Winona and Caske walked % the altar, side
by side. but out OF step and out Of time,
followed by bridesmaid and groomsman in
like manner.
Win0na was not yet sixteen years old,
and ike that OF all Indian girls, her cOifure
was mple / mention that first since
noticed 1t first The hair hung in a single
braid over her shoulders, tied with red
ribbon in schoolgirl fashion. Her dress
was short, OF some dark stuff, the only
sdornment being a broad cotton lace collar
around her neck. She wore brown straw
sauot hat and this completed her costume.
The groom was dressed IN ordinary citi-
zeu's clothes, q Lttle the worse for wear.
They stood in bashful reverence while
the rector stepped forward and read in
the musical Dakota language the marriage
ceremony Tho responses were low and
soft, sm0st iudisunguishable even to US
who were nearest
\ sadness came over me as watched the
girl5ride, for these Indian girls who marry
while yet children so soon become old,
wrinkled and hsggard with hard work,
when they should be strong and vigorous,
ia the prime Of womanh0Od. Aud they are
50 il prepared FOR the be awaiting them
no experience, no thought beyond the
present. Yet this was a marriage Of love,
unlike the contracts made 40 often by the
parents, IN whica those most concerned
have no voice a. al
As they krelt IN simple style for the
heavenly beued d.ctIou, even the dogs were
silent, and tue babies stopped crying, aad
quietly, SIDE By SIDE, they went out into the
night-husband and wife.
T. was beautiful wedding because of It's
simplicity. and toe lscx of all things ar
tldcial, Jet there seemed 20 be no gayety
among the people, and no rejoicing f0r the
happy ones Tbs might be becauss Indians
seldom show inner thoughts and feelings.
The deepest feelings never change anus
c.e Il a face OF an expression = Al eye Yet
Indians are "a capable q deep emotion a.
white men. Tais Is proved By those w DO
zrcw Them best
But there were % BE- festivities Upon
these ws dared nor utr1de Ru-ors Of a
dog feast cane % "a Dog flesh j. their
richest ieicacv and they SAY. ~ Way n0ti
You eat p.gi Is dog verse than plgi'
A We ef. the h-tie cnsQe. It seemed a
bencdctCa nj ITSELF No massive pi ars
no~ marble altar found ve tbe-e It-'e 20
show mems hlndi7vork- aut Standing 81
smp e ard plain. in rhe ve~r heart % nat
ure. 10 seemed a living thing. WI spering
Chrsr's message $50 ye into 81 the world