The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1890-09-05
AZ Indian Wedding.


On we went until quite abrnpAiywe came
upon . grove of trees, in the midst Of which,
Following winding path, wefound the little
chapel, writes Rosa T. Shelton in Chicago
Advance. Small and rude in many WAYS, it
nad quiet dignity, and we felt a solemnity
rs we approached it,, listening to its bell
Wnlch so regularly called from their sun
ana stone worship the Indian ''children of
fhe 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
10 the dim light, and we discovered ven
cradle Indian in his kindly way beckoning
us forward to seats Of honor Just before
the chanceL Indians are always kindly in
then 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 frown, and only after bitter wrong
does the cruel, savage part Of their nature
show itself. Treacherous they are not; sus-
plcious, 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 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 innumerableentered
antorbidden. But what more suitable at q
marriage of Natures children, than that al
nature, animate and 'inanimate, should lend
presence there.
The church gradually filed Indian
squaws with babies predominated in the
audienee. 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
little boy, followed by the mother and three
small children. The father wore hi:
citizens dress, with handkerchief knotteC
around his neck; the mother came in hel
shawl, the most important, detail of an In
dian womanss dress.
After dead. silence, broken FREQUENTLY
by the noise of babies and dogs outside
there sounded at the door a shutting O
heavy boots, unlike the soft, soundles
steps of Indian feet in moccasins, ant
Winona and Caske walked to the altar, sid
by side, but out of step and out of time
followed by bridesmaid and groomsman il
like manner.
Winona was not yet sixteen years old
and like that Of all Indian girls, her coiffur
was simple. / mention, that, first since
noticed it first. The hair hung in singh
braid over her shoulders, tied with re-
ribbon in schoolgirl fashion. Her dres
was short, of some dark stuff, the onl
adornment being broad cotton lace cola
around her neck. She wore brown stray
sajlot hat and this completed her costume
The groom was dressed IN ordinary cit
zen's clothes, . iiiittttiss the worse for wear.
They stood in bashful reverence Will
the rector stepped forward and read /
the musical Dakota language the marriag
ceremony. The responses were low an
soft, almost indistinguishable even to u
who were nearest.
"A sadness came over me as watched tn
girl-bride, for these Indian girls who MARI
while yet children so soon become oil
wrinkled and haggard with hard worl
when they should be strong and vigoron
in the prime of womanhood. And they al
so ill prepared for the life awaiting them
no experience, no thought beyond IL
present. Yet this was marriage of Low
unlike the contracts made so often by Il
parents, in which those most concerne
have no voiceat all.
AS they knelt in simple style for IL
heavenly benediction, even the dogs we
silent, and the babies stopped crying; al
quietly, side by side, they went out into Il
night-hnsband and WIFE,
1t was beautiful wedding because of i
simplicity, and the lack of all things a
tifcial; yet there seemed to be no gave
among the people, and no rejoicing for Il
happy ones. This might be because Indial
seldom show inner thoughts and feeling
The deepest feelings, never change mn
Gle of face or an expression of an eye. Y
Indians are as capable Of deep emotion
white men. This is proved by those vi
know them best.
But there were to be festivities. Up
these we dared not intrude Rumors of
dog-feast came to us. Dog-fiesh is the
richest delcacy and they say: "Why nc
You eat pig Is dog worse than pigp
AS we left the little chapel it seemed
benediction In itself. No massive pilla
nor marble altar found we there; little
show mems handiwork, but standing
simple and plain, in the very heart of nj
ure, it seemed living thing, Whisper
Christ's message: go We into all the wol
and preach the Gospel"
About Old Maids.