Formerly a tin pail and tin wash-dish constituted the toilet set of most of the wives, but since the Prophet has had so many fat government contracts, and his purse has become plethoric with public money, and from the continued inflow of tithing, he has indulged his "women folks" with crockery ware. As Uncle Sam is rich, and a good easy-going soul, why should he not furnish "Harems" for his "loyal and law-abiding citizens?"
No. 10 is Aunt Fanny Murray's room. Her furniture consists of a red and yellow carpet, home-made bedsteads, oak chairs, a fall-leaf table, and oil-shades. A sitting-room and a small bedroom belong to Aunt Fanny. But you ask, Who is Aunt Fanny? She was in her young days, Fanny Young, and had a great awkward brother, called Brigham. She married a Mr. Murray, to whom she was devotedly attached. She was a gentle, kind creature; and when her husband died, she became dependent on her brother. She had long been a believer in Mormonism, and was with the Mormons at Nauvoo. After the death of her husband, she was, by the earnest persuasion of her brother Brigham, induced to be sealed to another. She protested at the time, and said it would break her heart. And in relating the story to a young friend, years afterward,—"Bessie," said she, "my poor, poor heart is breaking now;" and laying her hand on her heart, she wept aloud. Aunt Fanny has gone to her rest. She has suffered want and privation, mental
anguish and bodily pain, for her religion. Who shall say that her dear heavenly Father, whom she so blindly worshipped, will not reward her with a crown of glory in His kingdom above, when she shall rejoin the partner of her youth, free from the shackles of tyranny and superstition?
Nos. 11 and 12 are staircases.
No. 13. Main Hall, extending the whole length of the building; it is lighted from a large window at the further end.
This completes the principal story of the Lion House.
The Basement Story.—No. 14. General cellar, where all kinds of vegetables and provisions are stored.
No. 15. Ash-house.
No. 16. Weaving-room. The wives spin, color, and prepare the yarn, and a man is kept employed in weaving. A large quantity of cloth is made at the Harem every year. Brigham's motto is, "No drones in the hive."
No. 17 is the coachman's room.