Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-07-22
A CANTATA IN TEXAS.

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the morals of Texas by the reports that
are conveyed to our ears through a venal
press. One would be led to think that
every citizen carried from six to ten re-
volvers, to say nothing of 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 can
tata of Queen Esther. VIII 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 man is allowed to carry
more than six pistols at once there, and
the Magistrate recently fined dead mig
ger for carrying shotgun concealed
about his person. The Sunday School
scholars are made to deposit their pistols
in the vestibulc before the 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. Hob
son Hall was filled at an early hour
During the opening chorus a strange noise
was heard behind the stage, and the man
agcr said that Haman had accidentally
shot himself while practicing with Nor
decai; and Bill Biggs was substituted
Bill Biggs forthwith made his appearance
with pants stuck in his boots, in the most
nonchalant manner, and began to call
Monlecai a second hand clothing store,
and other pet names saw at once that
Bill had the heart of the audience, for
cries of SEQ in, Bill!' SEQ in" came
from every part of the house. | really
think that Bill actually believed himself
to be Haman; but he was finally coaxed
from the stage by the muzzlcs Of the
shot-guns that were poked at him from
the wings, and Ahasuerus came on.
Bully for ALaz /" yelled boy in
the gallery.
The Assyrian king stopped suddenly
and looked mp at the enthusiastic youth.
"Sce here" he said, this is a relig-
ious play, and decency must be observed.
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 Ahasucrus just now, but after
the show III be Sam Turner again, and
if any man wants to see me then he can
make his wants known"
The cantata proceeded but felt un-
easy | thought that for an Assyrian,
Ahasuerus handled his revolver in a very
careless manner, but somebody said it
was natural. The King had hardly got
securely seated on the throne when HamaE
rushed from one of the wings and said he
understood that two Mexicans were in
the house, and that ''he wouldn't play
until the Greascrs were put out. \ sa-
cred concert shouldn't be spoiled by the
presence of a couple of louzy Mexicans.
His remarks were greeted with tumultu-
Gus applause, and a sudden tussel near
the door followed The next day the cor
oner held an inquest on the bodies Of
Rive Goaid and ST. Jose Miguel, two
Mexicans who had displayed bad sense
in attending sacred concert in st. Kill
lad. After the tussel just referred to,
the cantata proceeded.
Mordcca wasn't the mcck-l looking fell
low | had expected to see. He was a SIX
foot chap, with piratical mustachc, who
remarked to Haman in hearing of one
half the audience that he was the "man-
catin' alligator of Texas" He certainly
in appearance bore out his remarks He
and Ahasucrus had several spirited inter
views, and once while Esther was sing
ing for the King, Mordecai' $ revolver was
accidentally discharged, killing the boy
who was overhead helping to manipulate
the machinery. As the hanging Of Ha
man approached, | moved toward the
door. From some side remarks which |
heard Haman drop on his downfall,l ex-
pectcd lively time. knew that Bill
Biggs would not be seized without des
peratc resistance, so sloped. 1t came
Just as | expected The King and his
bodyguard made rush for Haman and
the fun began. Bill got the drop every
where Bullets whistled through the au-
ditorium, but not man moved except
one rcd-shirted fellow from Galveston, who
jumped on the stage and knocked Ahas-
ucrus down.
The next morning | heard all this sum-
med up as follows: Haman shot in the
mouth and cut in the groin; Mordecai
killed dead; Ahasueruss nose broken,
and shot in the thigh; two Assyrian Off
GERS badly wounded; Queen Esther bad
ly bruised. The st. Kitiad Weekly
Buckshot called it one of "the livliest
cantatas ever witnessed in the State, and
hoped it would be repeated at some fu-
ture day."-Bradtord Era.