Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-04-14
DIDN'T Do N0THIN',"
But Bessie's Father Thought Differ
entity.
BY HARRIET CARYL COX.

BY HARRIET CARYL COX.
Once there was a good old Mormon
Bishop. who had only one wife. This
at first may not appear TO be very
/ startling statement, but it must be re-
membered that this particular Bishop
/ lived in Utah at q time when plural
matrimony was the rule and not the
| exception. especially with bishops, who
! were expected. in this respect, at least,
| TO set a bright example TO the church
/ members in their several wards. Most
! bishops had several wives, and any one
/ of the episcopal rank who limited
himself to one was locked upon as
freak. Indeed this good old Bishop
was even more severely criticised. IL
! was openly alleged that his shameful
neglect of his matrimonial oppOrtuni-
! Ties was a serious stumbling block to
10 some of the weaker brethren. When
the doctrine of polygamy was first
taught in Zion many of the best Nor
mons. while accepting the theory, were
/ slow to indulge in its practice, making
various excuses. IN our BisbJp' ward
! the excuse generally ran thus: Look at
our Bishop He has only one wife
And it came to pass that one day thu
| BistoD's two cOunsellOrs came to him
and said they desired to" take coun-
sci" with him.
Come into the front room, said the
Bishops wife and | will call him.
But the first counselor said that he
could see the Bishop at work near the
barn. and they preferred to so out
there TO talk with him. After the
usual salutations, the Bishop and his
counselors sat down on q log behind
the barn. and whitfield at the log
while the following proceedings were
| had:
/ "Bishop." said the first counselor,
! eve have come to talk with you on a
matter Of grave concern to the chm On. ~
Yes
And one which has long lain heav-
lily on our hearts. And we feel cont
dent that il the matter is properly
presented you will agree with us as to
the best thing 10 do
Yes" said the Bishop, who suspect
ed what was coming.
Bishop, we think you ought to take
What! Ne? Ne? No, no, no,
man! Tut. tut. tut, I'm 400 old; I'm
too Old" sputtered the Bishop.
Now. look here, Bishop" said the
Second Counselor. you're not any
older than Brother Brigham Young
eyes, but then
H. Won bovn y
nice large house, plenty of room, and
YOU are rich enough to provide for two
more wives if you should see fit to
take them
The Bishop smiled a superior smile.
"Ah. there was never a house built
big enough for Betsy and another
wife"
why. you don't mean to tell us
that Sister Betsy would object to
Walking in the path which the Lord
has SC marve ously opened Up for his
chosen people," exclaimed the First
/ Counselor.
20. no. I suppose not" replied the
bishop. hastily, only, YOU see, Betsy
has been a mighty good wife TO me
all these years and a good mother TO
to the children, and 1 could hardly
think of dong anything
There need be no trouble, put In
the Second Counselor. Look at
| Brother Lyman. He has three wives
all living in the sweetest accord, and
one house much smaller than yours.
1t is really not right for you to delay
any longer. Bishop. It is creating
much comment among the brethren.
Yes" added the First Counselor,
"when | was in Salt Lake City last
week Brother Young spoke of It.
Did he. indeed What did he say?'
"He said he was sorry you were not
UNFOLDING the doctrines and coYen-
ants more devoutly.'
There was a long pause, during
which the Bishop gaZed abstractedly
ut the distant mountains. Finally he
spoke in constrained voice:
well. even if l should be will
I'm that case" said the First Coun-
selor there is Brother Edwards
niece. Just came over with the latest
load from Wales. A very nice lady.
| Doesn't talk English very well, but
] very ueNOleu 10 lAC true lt4lS lOAl.
Yes. but how do l know Mat she
would be willing to become a plural
wife," And the Bishop laughed.
That's easy enough. I've already
had some talk with Brother Edwards.
You leave this to me. I'll arrange
matters.
'WeH, there's no hurry ABOUT It.
I'll think about it. III let You know, ~
said the Bishop, rising and so the
conference came to an end.
As they walked around the corner
Of the barn the Bishops wife was just
coming out Of the barn door with her
apron full of eggs she had been gath
ering from the hay NOV, and her
black eyes were swapping.
That night, after the children had
retired for the night, the Bishop and
his wife sat by the freside alone and
simon" said the Bishops wife.
Eyes. Betsy.
what did those fellows want to-
day."
church matters" And the Bishop had
2 sudden and severe nit Of coughing.