Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-16
AN INDIAN WEDDING.
How a Converted Sioux Couple Wefo Nh
ried at q Western Agency.

How a Converted Sioux Couple Wefo MAJ.
ried at q Western Agency.
On we went, until quite abruptly we came
upon grove Of trees, in the midst of which,
following winding path, we found the little
chapel, writes Rosa Z. Shelton in Chicago
Advance. Small and rude in many ways, it
had quiet dignity, and we felt solemnity
as we approached it, listening to its bell
which so regularly called from their sun
and stone worship the Indian children OF
the prairie" Inside the fading light came
softly through the stained-glass windows,
scarcely penetrating: making silhouettes OF
the faces, dark even in the sunlight.
Gradually our eyes became accustomed
to the dim light, and we discovered a ven
cradle Indian in his kindly way beckoning
US forward to 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 to those whom they can prove
their friends; more often is the smile seen
than the frcwn, and only after bitter wrong
does the cruel, savage part of their nature
show itself. Treacherous they are not; sus-
picious, 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, it
still 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 at one side Of the altar, but the
wedding march would seem out of place at
the simple Indian marriage, and was fit
tingly left out. Through those windows,
which were open, tree boughs bent and
rustled, and mosquitoes innumerable entered
untorbidden. But what more suitable at
marriage of Natures children, than that all
nature, animate and inanimate, should lend
a presence there.
The church gradually filed. Indian
souaws with babies predominated In the
audience The 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 q handkerchief knotted
around his neck; the mother came il her
shawl, the most important detail Of an In
dian woman dress.
After 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, souEdless
steps of Indian feet in moccasins, and
Winona and Caske walked to the altar, side
by side, but out of step and out of time,
followed by bridesmaid and groomsman in
like manner.
Winona was not yet sixteen years old,
and like that OF all Indian girls, her couture
was simple / mention that first since l
noticed it first. The hair hung in single
braid over her shoulders, tied with red
ribbon in schoolgirl fashion. Her dress
was short, Of some dark stuff, the only
adornment being broad cotton Lace collar
around her neck She wore brown straw
sailot hat and this completed her costume.
The groom was dressed In ordinary citi-
zen's clothes, a little the worse for wear.
They stood in bashful reverence while
the rector stepped forward and read in
the musical Dakota language the marriage
ceremony. The responses were low and
soft, almost iadistinguishable even to Us
who were nearest.
a sadness came over me as l watched the
girl-bride, for these Indian girls who marry
while yet children so soon become old,
and haggard with hard work,
when they should be strong and vigorous,
in the prime OF womanhood. And they are
so i'll prepared for the life awaiting them |
no experience, no thought beyond the
present! Yet this was a marriage of love,
unlike the contracts made so often by the
parents, in which those most concerned
have no voice at ell.
AS they knelt in simple style for the
heavenly benediction, even the dogs were
silent, and the babies stopped crying; and
quietly, side by side, they went out into the
and wife.
1t was beautiful wedding because of its
and the lack Of all things ar
yet there seemed to be no gayety
among the people, and no rejoicing for the
happy ones. This might be because Indians
seldom show inner thoughts and feelings.
The deepest feelings never change mus
Gle OF face or an expression of an eve. Yet
Indians are as capable of deep emotion as
white men. This is proved by those who
know them best.
But there were to be festivities. Upon
these we dared not intrude. Rumors of a
dog-feast came to US. Dog-fesh is their
richest delicacy and they say: ny not.
You eat pigl Is dog worse than pigG"
AS we left the little chapel it seemed a
benediction III itself. No massive pillars
nor marble altar found we there; little 80
show mems haadiwork, but standing so
simple and plain, in the very heart of nat
ure, it seemed living thing, whispering
Christ's message: $50 ye into al the world
anG preach the Cos peLa