Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-06-21
A Cantata in Texas.

ion of the morals of Texas by the re-
ports that are conveyed to our ears
through the venial press. One would
be led to think that every citizen car
ries from six to ten revolvers, to say
nothing of few dirks and several
torpedoes in his coat tail pocket.
Now, l am pleased to correct this
false impression, having but recently
returned from that State, where l at
tended oantata Of Queen Esther" ;"
Will you let me tell the gossipers how
the affair passed? st. Killiad is a
pleasant little town near the Mexi-
can line. 1t is noted for its docility.
No man is allowed to carry more
than six pistols at once there, and
the magistrate recently fined mig
ger for carrying shotgun concealed
about his person. The Sunday-school
scholars are made to deposit their
pistols in the vestibule before the
school opens, and no minister is per-
mitted to keep more than two shot
guns in the pulpit.
The cantata, the first ever gotten
up at st. Killiad, was q sublime af-
fair. Hobson Hall was filled at an ear
ly hour. During the opening chorus
strange noise was heard behind the
stage, and the manager said that their
Haman had accidentally shot himself
while practicing with Mordecai, and
Bill Briggs was substituted. Bill
forthwith made his appearance, with
pants stuck in boots, in the most non
chalant manner and began to call
Mordecai a secondhand clothing
store and other pet names. I saw at
once that Bill had the heart of ne
audience for cries of GO in, BIZ. !"
"Give it to EN- y came from every
part of the house. Ireally think that
Bill actually believed himself to be
Haman; but he was finally coaxed
from the stage by the muzzles of sew
eral shot-guns, that were poked at
him from the wings, and Ahasuerus
came on.
"Bully for Ahaz!" yelled a boy in
the gallery.
The Assyrian King stopped sud
denly and looked up at the enthusi-
astic youth.
"see here" he said, "this is relig-
ious play, and decency has to be OBJ
served. That boy forgets that this is
the State of Texas, and we're going
to have order if we've got to get it
with the pistol. I'm playing Ahas-
uerus just now but after the show I'll
be Sam Turner again, and if any man
wants to see me then he can make
his wants known
The cantsta proceeded, but I felt
uneasy. | thought that for an Assyr-
ian, Ahasuerus handled his revolver
in very careless manner, but some
body said it was natural. The King
had hardly got securely seated N his
throne, when Haman rushed from one
Of the wings and said that he under
etood that two Mexicans We're in the
house, and that he wouldn't play
until the greasers were put out. A
sacred concert shouldn't be spoiled
by the presence of a couple of lousy
Mexicans. His remarks were greet
ed by tumultuous applause, and a sud
den tussle near the door followed.
The next day the coroner held an in
quest on the bodies of Rive Goliad
and st. Jose Miguel two Mexlcans
who had displayed bad taste in at
tending sacred concert in St. Kill
laid. After the tussel Just referred
to the cantata proceeded.
Mordecai wasn't the meek looking
fellow l h,u expected to see. He was
& SIX foot chap, with piratical nous
tachs, who remarked to Haman in
hearing of one half OF the audience,
that he was the "man-eaten alligator
Of Texas" He certainly in appear
ance bore out his remarks. lie and
Ahasuerus had several spirited in
terviews, and once while Esther was
singing for the King, Mordecai's re-
volver was accidentally discharged
and did no damage except killing the
boy who was overhead helping to
manipulate tho scenery. AS the
hanging of Haman approached NOV
ed toward the door. From some side
remarks which l heard Haman drop
on his downfall, expected lively
time. l knew that Bill Biggs
would not be seized without a desper-
ate resistance, SO | sloped. 1t came
just as | expected. The King and
his bodyguard made rush for bl-
man, and the rush began. Bill got
the dead drop everywhere. Bullets
whistled through the auditorium, but
not man moved except one red
shirteG fellow from Galveston, who
jumped on the stage and knocked
A bosuarpc 1oup