A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the MormonsWilliams, Elizabeth Whitney
History
A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the Mormons
Williams, Elizabeth Whitney
Beaver Island (Mich.); Latter Day Saints -- Michigan; Strang, James Jesse, 1813-1856
One pleasant day in August, the eighth anniversary of our wedding, my
husband said to me, "I shall not be home to dinner as there is some very
important business to be done at the temple among the elders. Have tea
at five o'clock and I shall surely be home at that hour." I followed him
to the door saying, "Now remember, Mr. H----, this is our anniversary."
He kissed me saying, "I will remember it Mary and be home at five." I
sang at my work as I had not done before for months. I felt so happy. I
looked about the home and it seemed more like the old home in York
State: my flowers on each side the walk to the gate, in front the
mountain ash was lovely, and my climbing rose bushes all about, which
gave it all such a home-like look. I soon started for the woods to
gather wild flowers, mosses and trailing vines to trim the room with so
it would look nice when Mr. H---- came home. I met a neighbor and asked
her to go with me. She said. "No, my heart is too sad. I fear my husband
will soon bring home another wife. Are you not afraid Mrs. H----?" I
answered, "No I am not afraid, for Mr H---- would tell me so if anything
like that was to happen." She gave me such a sad look with her eyes full
of tears. Pulling her sunbonnet over her face she passed on. I gathered
my flowers and vines, returned home and trimmed my rooms. I put the
vines around my white muslin window curtains with the pretty lace I had
knit around the edge and the white bed curtains to match. I set my table
the prettiest I knew how, with the lovely wild flowers in the center; I
then ran over to mother, telling her all I had done. I saw her and
sister Sarah exchange looks, both saying they were glad I had done so. I
played with the children a few minutes, then ran home to prepare the
tea. I wore a pink muslin dress, the only one I had left from the old
home, and a pretty white apron, the last I had of the kind. Somehow the
day had been long, but I felt no fear, only a sadness for the neighbor I
had met. Her sorrowful face seemed always before me. Remembering my
husband was fond of warm biscuit, I made some, and just as the clock
struck five I heard the gate click and our faithful dog Tiger give a low
growl. I thought strangers must be coming, as he always barked with
delight to see his master. I hurried to the door. Mr H---- was coming up
the path with a woman holding to his arm. Before I had time to move or
speak they stepped past me into the house. Mr. H---- said to me, "Mary
let me introduce you to my wife to whom I have just been sealed in
spirit this day, and I hope you will welcome her and show her the
respect which is her due from you." I stood still; I could not move; I
could not speak; my tongue would not move in my mouth. I tried to say
"husband, husband," but no sound came. Oh the agony I suffered! I could
only follow them with my eyes. I could not speak; I was dumb. The woman
gave me an insolent look, saying, "I guess I must have been expected.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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