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Show ABUSES OF POLYGAMY. 167 there on a visit, to assist in the domestic duties of the family, during her illness ; they consented, and I, favorably impressed with my aunt's former kindness, willingly went. At this time, I was in my seventeenth, year, and although surrounded by Mormons, and hearing nothing else but Mormonism preached, I still retained the religious views in which I had been educated, and refused to be baptized in their faith. " Several days elapsed, after I was domiciled in my aunt's residence, during which time, most marked attentions were shown me by my uncle, my aunt's husband; he would affectionately kiss me for good night, and morning, and I returned his embraces with the affection of a niece. One morning, after my duties had been completed, I went into the parlor, and seated myself on the sofa; shortly afterwards my uncle came in, and taking a seat next to me, placed his arm rather familiarly around my waist, and pressed me towards him. This unusual demonstration annoyed me, and I endeavored to extricate myself, from him, but he held me the tighter, and attempted to kiss me. Highly indignant at this proceeding, I asked him how he dared to treat me thus ? he replied, ' that as I was to be his little wife, he thought himself privileged to kiss me.' I had never heard of the spiritual wife system, and I could not but believe he was joking; but he told me in earnest, ' that I was destined by the Almighty to become his wife." I rushed out of the room in tears, and putting on my bonnet, hurried home, as fast as I could. My father, was a man of high temper, and quick to resent an offence ; he was at home when I got there, but, not daring to tell him of the insult, which had been put upon me, I went to my mother's chamber, and bursting into tears, revealed to |