denomination. The convert was a young woman of more
than average intelligence. Some of her relatives had been polygamists,
but she repudiated the whole cult and creed. For a while this decision
made it necessary for her to find other residence than her rightful
home.
Some time after she permitted herself to be persuaded that a young man
of her acquaintance loved her more than he did the polygamous tenet of
his church--he was a Mormon--and that he never would attempt to woo
and win another woman while she remained his wife. She consented, and
was happy in her home life. Not for a moment did she suspect him of
double-dealing. Her honest heart was above entertaining such suspicion
had it entered. Serenely she saw her children growing to useful
womanhood. Not a cloud of anxiety appeared on the calm sea of life;
all was fine sailing. One day she was making some repairs in one of
her husband's garments when a letter fell from a pocket. It bore the
postmark of a city where they both had relatives, and it was quite
natural that she should look into its contents.
What despair and agony seized her when she read therein the statement
from the "other woman" telling her "fond" husband of the birth of the
child!
The poor, heart-stricken, and hitherto trusting wife immediately rose
to the dignity of outraged womanhood and insulted wifehood and
compelled the polygamist to choose at once between her and the
concubine. He did so, choosing the younger woman and leaving her who
had trusted him too fondly.
This is not a tale of the ancients in Utah, but a living, festering
story of the vivid present.
One way of avoiding prosecution by the law is the surreptitious,
clandestine rearing of children, whose mothers lose no prestige in the
community; for it is well understood "among the neighbors and
friends." "Public polygamy has been suspended," but the requirement of
the doctrine remains unchanged.
GREAT SALT LAKE
So lonely 'twas that God himself
Scarce seemed there to be.
--_Coleridge_.
This is truth the poet sings
That a sorrow's crown of sorrow is remembering
happier things.
--_Tennyson_.
GREAT SALT LAKE
Many stories, weird and lurid, true and untrue, have been told of this
body of saline water lying imposed on the breast of the beauti
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