The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and ChildrenWaite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
History
The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and Children
Waite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
Latter Day Saint churches; Young, Brigham, 1801-1877
Amelia is evidently living under constraint, and acting an assumed
character. She is playing the _rôle_ of a happy wife, with a breaking
heart. At the time of her marriage, her heart had been given to another,
to whom she should have been married. That she compromised her
character, in marrying Young under the circumstances, is a fact too
notorious to be concealed,--and this connection has brought more odium
upon polygamy than any the "President" ever formed.
Nevertheless, Amelia stands the recognized Queen of the Harem. She leads
the _ton_, and is the model woman for the saints. Thousands bow low as
she passes, and think themselves happy to receive her passing
recognition. She is now a queen, and is to be a goddess in the celestial
world. The new wife sometimes becomes restive and impatient, and treats
her liege lord rather shabbily. She is at times notional and imperious,
and somewhat coquettish,--to all of which her husband submits with good
grace for the present, and pets her as a child.
The Bee-Hive House, formerly occupied by Mrs. Young and her family, has
been vacated for Amelia. Servants are at her disposal, and her
establishment is extensive and imposing.
Brigham spends much of his time with his new wife, and often dines with
her. One evening a friend was taking tea with the newly-married couple.
Amelia behaved quite naughtily toward her lord. After tea was finished,
they remained at the table, eating nuts and confectioneries. Amelia
threw her shells through an open window, on the opposite side of the
room. Her husband said, "Amelia, don't do that; put your shells by your
plate." "I sha'n't do it," replied the fair one; "I'll throw them where
I please." Young was silent for a time, but became so annoyed that he
again said: "Amelia, I wish you wouldn't do that any more." "I don't
care," replied the spouse, pettishly, "I'll throw the shells where I
please, and I'll do as I please, and you may help yourself." And pulling
her guest by the dress, she said; "Come, let's go up-stairs, and let him
_grunt_ it out."
The theatre was dedicated by prayer and a grand ball. This was in the
winter of 1862-63. Brigham led off in the dance with Amelia, and all was
smiles and sunshine. On another occasion, he honored another one of "the
women" with his hand for the first cotillon. This so displeased Amelia,
that she refused to dance with him at all. He coaxed, she shrugged her
shoulders, and shook her head. It was only after much condescension and
solicitation on his part that she granted her forgiveness, and consented
to dance with him. This gay Lothario of sixty-three then led forth his
blushing mistress, and "all went merry as a marriage-bell."
Amelia has lovers still, for one of whom she entertains considerable
feeling. He was sent to "Dixie," or the Cotton District, in Southern
Utah, on a mission. He soon returned, however, to Salt Lake, and by his
presence in the city, causes the Prophet considerable anxiety.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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