Reservation Life...............part four

Jake Peters arranged the ceremony with Chet Hastings. He is excited about getting joined to Marietta ! She was with him when he made the plans he wanted her to be there just in case she wanted something other than what he thought would be a nice ceremony. Marietta's parents were anxious but not really wanting to lose their girl as she was a great help to them. But she knew what they were thinking and told them, " No need to worry cause I will still be helping out with the chores cause I know how hard it is for the both of you these days. Walter seems to be kept pretty busy with his coyote pups and his trapping. "

Melva said, " You're such a good young woman Marietta, I hope you and Jake will be very happy, so does your Paw. I fixed up a nice dress for you to wear it's tucked away in that big trunk that Walter made for me. " "Oh Maw, thank you for doing this I was wondering what I was going to wear. Can I go see if it fits cause this afternoon is the ceremony. " They went to her Maw's room and took out the dress. Marietta tried it on what a perfect fit ! Made from light blue cloth that was bought from the traders. Long sleeved, it went down around her ankles too. " My first dress I ever had Maw ! I really like it too. We better get things ready to take to the Hastings place Maw."

"Well I made up some stew and biscuits to bring down there. We got some apple cider that was put up too. Didn't have nothing to fix anything else though Marietta. " "That's alright Maw I think Maddie is fixing up some food." Then Marietta went to show her Paw him her dress that Maw had fixed up for the ceremony. He said, " Well doggone !! I never seen you in a dress before ! You don't look like my little girl anymore, all pretty in that dress. " He gave her a hug which she didn't expect cause that never happened before. Not in all the years she was growing up did he ever hug her, it felt good.

Walter came in form doing his chores and when he saw Marietta in that blue dress he let out a whistle !! " My goodness I never thought you were so pretty Marietta but I sure do now. We best get going down the road to the Hastings place now." Just then he caught sight of Jake coming up the path with a big smile on his face. "Hey Jake, this is the big day for you and my sister Marietta ! Wait till you see her in this dress Maw fixed up for her to wear !! " When Jake stepped up on the porch he caught sight of her and it took him by surprise cause she looked so pretty !! He walked inside and said, " Oh my goodness Marietta, you look so different without those coveralls on ! I just came up to see if y'all were ready. It's time for the ceremony."

So they all walked down to the Hastings homestead, nobody hardly said a word all the way down there. Spirit Crow and Little Feather were there with Owl Tree Spirit who was playing with Goldie's pups !! Everyone was there waiting for Jake and Marietta to arrive so the ceremony could get started. Chet Hastings said, " Jake and Marietta we all hope you both will be happy together as husband and wife. That you will have many years together. " He said a few more words and then it was over. " Maddie said, "Now it's time for the feast everybody brought something to share. It's all set up so let's go eat !! " Everyone walked up to the front of the house where there was food enough to feed any and all who were there for the ceremony.

Openhand, Red Wing the twins Little Bear and White Dove, Tall Trees and Thundercloud Chief Wolfman, Trucker, Betty, Parley, Mabel, Hank, Nettie, Ted, Lizzie,Lew, Ruth, Jed, Mary, Gunner and Jolene were walking up the road to join them. Bringing food for the feast. When all the people were gathered in the yard, Grandfather asked the Creator to bless this bounty, to bless Jake and Marietta with a long life together. Then they all took plates to fill up with all that great food that was prepared by the women. The people were all eating with the usual grunts from them letting everyone know that the food was tasty. After the feast Grandfather lit the pipe and passed it round the circle of men that were there. Grandfather spoke," So many men are in this circle today to smoke this peace pipe. May we always live in peace !! "

TO BE CONTINUED WRITTEN BY BARBARA J BRIGGS 1/28/09