The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-07-16
A Cantata in Texas.

We are prone to form bad opinion of
the morals of Texas by the reports that ara
conveyed to our ears throughthe venal press.
One would be led to believe that every citi-
zen carries from six to ten rcvolvers, to say
nothing of a few dirks and several torpedoes
in his coat tail pocket. Now, am pleased
to correct this false impression, having but
recently returned from that State, where /
attended a cantata of Queen Esther" Will
you let me tell the gossipers how the affair
passed Off st. Killiad is a pleasant town
near the Mexican line 1t is noted for its
docility. No one is allowed to carry more
than six pistols at once there, and the magis-
trate recently fined dead niger for carry
ing a shotgun concealed about his person.
The Sunday-school scholars are made to de-
post their pistols in the vestibule before
school opens, and no minister is permitted
to keep more than two shot-guns in the
pulpit
The cantata, the first ever gotten up at
st. Killiad, was a sublime affair. Hobson
Hall was filled at an early hour. During
the opening chorus strange noise was
heard behind the stage, and the manager
said that their Hannah had accidentally shot
himself while practicing with Mordecai and
| Bill Biggs was substituted. Bill forthwith
made his appearance with pants stuck in
| boots in the most nochalant manner, and be-
gan to call Mordecai secondhand clothing
! store and other pet names. / saw at once
that Bill had the heart of the audience, for
cries of $50 in Billl'' Give emf came from
| every part of the house. l really think
that Bill actually believed himself to be Ha-
man; but he was finally coaxed from the
stage by the muzzles of several shot-guns,
that were poked at him from the wings, and
| Ahasueras came on.
| an. no oI a hor fho
lery.
The Assyrian king stopped suddenly and
looked up at the enthusiastic youth.
''See here" he said, .'this is religious
play, and decency has to be observed. That
boy forgets that this is the State of Texas,
and we are agoing to have order if we've to
get it with the pistol I'm playing Ahasuerus
Just now, but after the show I'll be Sam Tur-
ner again, and if any man wants to see me
then he can make his wants known"
The cantata proceeded but / felt uneasy.
1 thought that, for an Assyrian, Ahasuerus
handled his revolver in a very careless man.
ner, but somebody said it was natural. The
king hardly got seated on his throne when
Hannah rushed from one of the wings and
said that he understood that two Mexicans
were in the house, and that he wouldn't
play until they were put out" A sacred
concert shouldn't be spoiled by the presence
of a couple of lousy Mexicans. His remarks
were greeted with tumultuous applause, and
a sudden tussle near the door followed. The
next day the coroner held an inquest on the
bodies of Rive Golad and San Jose Mignel
two Mexicans who had displayed bad sense
in attending sacred concert in st. kiliad
After the tussle Just referred to the cantata
proceeded.
Mordecai wasn't the meek-looking fellow
had expected to see. He was six foo
chap. with piratical moustache, who re
marked to Hannah in hearing of one-half the
audience that he was the ''man eatin' alliga
tor of Texas" He certainly in appearance
, bore out his remarks He and Ahasueru
| had several spirited interviews, and onc
f while Esther was singing for the king, Nor
: decafs revolver was accidentally discharged
f killing the boy who was overhead helping
to manipulate the scenery. As tn
/. hanging of Hannah approached 1 moved to
3 ward the door, From some side remark
which heard Hannah drop on his downfall
/; / expected a lively time. l knew that Bill
/ Biggs would not be seized without desper
4 ate resistance, so / sloped. 1t came Just as
:, expected The king and his body-guar
' made rush for Hannah, and the fun began
t Bill got the drop everywhere. Bullet
. whistled through the auditorium, but not
I man moved except one red-shirted fello'
F.; | from OalNcslOl. WHO juniper oii viz Ss"5
a and Rocked Ahasuerus down.
: The next morning i heard all thi
f summed up as follows: Hannah shot in tn
e mouth and cut in the groin; Mordecai killed
Ahashuerus nose broken and shot in tn
thigh; two Assyrian officers badly wounded
Queen Esther badly bruised. The st. HI
). lad Weekly Buckshot called it one of "th
y liveliest cantatas ever witnessed in the Stat
!; and hoped it would be repeated at some fu
ture day"