Show COURTING with A FLUTE A method in use amona the sioux tribe of indiana courting by means of the flute is very popular among the sioux indians the flute is made ot willow or some other wood that has a bark easily detached and is usually about a foot in length if ha several perforations through the bark each af pf which resents a musical note the sound produced though somewhat shrill and fife like is not unpleasant to the ear the indian bouth who desires a wife first mentally filea his choice upon maiden of his tribe then some pleasant evening he takes bis flute and strolls through the village in the direction of the tepee of the maidens father he stations himself in a convenient spot about fifty or sixty yards from her abode and then the reed from beneath his blanket begins to play a plaintive strain while the young man is discoursing these strains the maiden has remained quietly within her fathers lodge listening to the serenade with characteristic te indian composure when it becomes perfectly apparent to the father that his daughter is the object of this musical attention he steps to the edge of his wigwam and if it is dark issues forth and cautiously creeps behind the youth and ascertains who ha is then ho returns to hia daughter and makes known his wishes in words something like this go my child he is a worthy dakota and will make you good master or remain my daughter he is not a desirable person the maiden in obedience to her parents wish advances timidly toward her if he is favored or if the paternal judgment condemn him withdraws into the dark recess of the tepee in case the suit is favored and the daughter has gone out to meet the warrior the young man on seeing her approach gives a triumphant toot upon his flute and then throwing down the instrument rushes forward to greet her whom he has so easily won american art journal |