Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-24

ANY one who thinks his mission Oh
earth will not be fulfilled unless he
breaches to the Indians may go and preach
to them said Rev. Mr.. Wildwood. but
prefer to preach to other people. was
very enthusiastic some time ago, and
thought it was my duty tn preach to the
poor, deluded Indian. but my experience
has taught me | misunderstood the situa-
ton. Having made application, | was
commissioned to go into the territory and
distribute the work among the red men.
My first appointment was at little log
house in the Choctaw Nation. Quite a
congregation had assembled when ar
rived, and | felt very much encouraged.
Without introducing myself went to the
rear end of the house, where | found
rude table, and asked the congregation to
sing. No one responded and sang a
hymn. Then | prayed, after which
took my text and began to preach. l no.
ticed that the congregation became yer,
restless, and thinking it was because did
not exhibit enough spirit, doubled my
efforts. Pretty soon white man who
seemed to have great influence over the
Indians arose and said:
"'IIold on minute, cap'n. We want
to know when the show is goin' to COM
mence.
show l gasped.
"'Yes, show. Although we don't think
much OF one-man show, yet we cOnclu-
ded to come and see what you could do.
Quit your talkin' and get down to bust
ness.'
IL did not come to give a show. my
good people, | said. Il came to preach
to you.
That's all very WE'LL said the white
man. but we know what you come for.
You come to give us a show and now
want to back out. We amt agoin' to
have no such shirkin' as that, an if you
don't give us a song an dance we'll tie
you to tree an whale you till you can't
squeal."
IL begged, but to no purpose. The
Indians crowded around and swore thai
they would fay me alive unless / gave
them show. | saw that it was useless
to argue with them and | took off my
coat, struck up when | read my title
clear to jig time, and cut capers to the
best of my ability. When l concluded
my song and dance wanted to stop. bnt
they would not hear of such cut and
was compelled to waltz "A charge to keep
| have Then they called for another
jig and sang Come all We sinners 1t
was shameful, but l couldn't help it.
After while the white man announced
that might quit lost no time in leav-
ing the accursed place, let Inc assume you.
Just as | was crossing the Dor er / saw
man limping along. and. catching up
with him, asked him the cause of the i'm
pediment in his step.
I've had terrible time back yonder.
he said. pointing to the territory. 4 am
a Snowman and my name is Billy Airing
ton. l am one man show. because
find it easier to keep myself organized
than if | had a company. | was adver-
tised to give show in the territory-one
performance free-and went over to fill
my engagement. When got to the place
found quite large audience OF solemn
looking Indians, but the solemnitv of the
affair did not discourage me. Well, got
up and began to shuttle when fellow
hoped up and said. None of that. You
have come here to preach and you've got
to preach" | told them that was show.
man. but they said that if didn't preach
they'd skin me. didn't want to be
skinned. and after one big fellow came up
and gave me welt that almost broke nv
leg concluded to preach. Oh. but it was
spirited sermon, and | was tickled when
they told my l might quit"
~ saw it all then. We had got our ap-
pointments mixed. but the discovery did
not renew my enthusiasm. ANY man who
wants to may preach to the Indians, but |
shall always respectfully request to be
counted out. Traveller.