CHAPTER IV.

The parlor at Ion, full of light and warmth, looked very pleasant and inviting this evening.  The whole family—­not so large now as it had been before Capt.  Raymond took his wife and children to a home of their own—­were gathered there;—­Mr. Dinsmore and his wife—­generally called Grandma Rose by the children—­Grandma Elsie, her son Edward and his wife, Zoe, and the two younger children;—­Rosie and Walter.

The ladies and Rosie were all knitting or crocheting.  Mr. Dinsmore and Edward were playing chess, and Walter was deep in a story book.

“Zoe,” said Rosie, breaking a pause in the conversation, “do you know, has mamma told you, about her new plans for benevolence? how she is going to let us all help her in distributing her funds?”

“Us?” echoed Zoe inquiringly.

“Yes; all her children; and that includes you of course.”

“Most assuredly it does,” said Grandma Elsie, smiling tenderly upon her young daughter-in-law.

Zoe’s eyes sparkled.  “Thank you, mamma,” she said with feeling.  “I should be very sorry to be left out of the number; I am very proud of belonging there.

“But what about the new plans, Rosie? if mamma is willing you should tell me now what they are.”

“Quite willing,” responded mamma, and Rosie went on.

“You know mamma always gives thousands of dollars every year to home and foreign missions, and other good causes, and she says that this time she will let each of us choose a cause for her to give a thousand to.”

“I like that!” exclaimed Zoe.  “Many thanks, mamma, for my share of the privilege.  I shall choose to have my thousand go to help the mission schools in Utah.  I feel so sorry for those poor Mormon women.  The idea of having to share your husband with another woman, or maybe half a dozen or more!  It’s simply awful!”

“Yes; and that is only a small part of the wickedness Mormonism is responsible for,” remarked Grandma Rose.  “Think of the tyranny of their priesthood; interfering with the liberty of the people in every possible way—­claiming the right to dictate as to what they shall read, where they shall send their children to school, with whom they shall trade, where they shall live, or ordering them to break up their homes, make a forced sale of their property, and move into another state or territory at their own cost, or go on a mission.”

“Their wicked doctrine and practice of what they call blood atonement, too,” sighed Grandma Elsie.

“And the bitter hatred they inculcate toward the people and government of these United States,” added Zoe.  “Oh I am sure both love of country and desire for the advancement of Christ’s cause and kingdom, should lead us to do all we can to rescue Utah from Mormonism.  Do you not think so, mamma?”

“I entirely agree with you, and am well satisfied with your choice,” Grandma Elsie replied.