Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 89 



sent that the families may be united in peace and harmony. My grand- 

 child likes the girl very much and agrees to earn the girl in the usual 

 way," said the olS woman. 



After due consideration on the part of the parents, both of them 

 expressed their willingness for the contract. "Well, old woman, we 

 have concluded to call fcr our daughter and tell her the circumstances 

 of your visit,'' said the husband. So the wife went out and called the 

 daughter in. The daughter came in and seated herself. "Well, my dear 

 daughter, this old woman sitting here in our tipi has come to us with 

 li special request for a marriage with you. We have thought of the 

 matter sincerely and decided that it is the proper thing for you to do," 

 said the father. "No! I don't want to get married, father, and I do not 

 want this to go any further," said the girl. This girl was very charm- 

 ing and at the right age to get married, but she wished to remain 

 single. 



The old woman got up and returned to convey the answer to the 

 family of the boy. "The parents were willing, but the girl objected 

 and made herself understood that she would not get married under any 

 circumstance," said the old woman. 



The second daughter born into the family was very promising. 

 She had grown up rapidly and soon attracted the attention of the 

 young men. One day an aunt of a young man came over with a 

 proposition of marriage for the girl. The request was made in the 

 usual way, but the girl objected, giving as her reason the same as her 

 sister had given. The father and mother were willing and gave their 

 consent, but it did no good. 



There was another girl born into the family, who was well built 

 and beautiful. This third girl had grown rapidly and was like a 

 picture to the young men. One day an old woman came to the family 

 and asked for marriage with this girl, by her grandchild. The parents 

 consented, but the daughter objected. 



Another daughter was born to this family, which the parents 

 thought surpassed her sisters in beauty. The fourth daughter was 

 growing fast and soon behaved like a woman, besides beihg charming; 

 One day a young man sent his mother to this family, who presented 

 earnestly the wash of her son. "Will you please excuse me. I have 

 came over to make a plea for my son that you kindly consider my 

 proposition en behalf of my son for a marriage with your daughter 

 (the fourth one). Can you bring about this marriage? My dear son 

 is anxious to marry your daughter," said the mother. So the father 

 and mother called for their daughter to come in. The daughter was 



