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Show i 44 PRACTICAL POLYGAMY I have before spoken of the resignation and submission with which wives accept their lot, and of the causes of their unhappiness, but it is not common for them to admit that polygamy is the real cause of their discontent. I cited one case where the woman was willing to submit to it' all in a good Christian spirit ; but jccasionally one is found who talks plainly of her situation. One of the wives of an apos tle has frequently been heard to reproach herself for present unhappiness. She recently remarked to a friend ct If I had not been the thing I was, to marry as I did, I would not be so unhappy now ; but I have no one but myself to blame, I did it all." This same lady is often emphatic in her in junctions to her daughter, in the presence of others, never to marry until she is sure pf having a husband of her own. This class I have no doubt is more numerous than the one I referred to elsewhere. A Mormon wife who does not become a mother within a reasonable time after marriage, suffers in the estimation in which she is held by the Saints generally, and if she should happen to have a second husband and still no issue she is almost despised by her sex. This, however, does not ap ply to Amelia, the last wife of Brigham, who has been mar ried two or three years, as her urifruitfulness may be ac counted for from natural causes. The tendency of polygamy being to immorality general ly, I might refer to indecency in conversation as particular ly observed. This occurs with women and children as well as men. Several wives of one man, with their children present, have been known to indulge in such indecent con versation as would bring the blush to the face of a modest woman if repeated to her alone. The result of this may be seen in the precociousness of their children in certain ways. Urchins of eight or nine, know more of what they should not know, than youths of sixteen or eighteen in a refined community. They are not only afforded opportunities of thus corrupting their minds, but often encouraged to do so. |