Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-24
SADLY MIXED.
Preacher and n Snowman Compare
Notes of a Cherokee Tour.
From the Arkansaw Traveller.

TfVih 'ht arhsulsaW traveller.
ANY one who thinks his mission on earth will
not be fulfilled unless he breaches to the Indians
may 60 and preach to tbem," said the Rev. Mr.
McilwoOd, but prefer to preach to ether peo-
pie. l was very enthusiastic some time ago,
and thought it was my duty to preach to the
poor, deluded Indian, but my experience has
taught me that Emisnnd erstood the situation.
Having made application, was commissioned
to go into the territory and distribute the Word
among the red men. My first appointment was
at little log house in the ChOctaw Nation.
Quite congregation had assembled when ar
rived. and felt very much encouraged With
out Introducing myself went to the rear end
OF the house. where | found rude table and
asked the congregation to sing. No one re-
sponded and l sang hymn. Then prayed.
AFTER which took my text and began to preach.
| noticed that the congregation became very
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:
Hold on minute, capt'n. We want to
know when the show is goin to commence
"'ShOw!' | gasped.
Yes. show. Although we don't think much
OF one man show. yet we concluded to come
and see what you could do. Quit your takin'
an git down to business
81 did not come to give show. nv good
people, said. Il came to preach to you!'
That's all very well,' said the white man,
but we know what you come for. You come to
give MS show and now want to back out. We
amt agoin' to have such shirkin' as that. an
If you don't give US song an dance, Wen tie
you to tree an whale you till you can't
squeal.'
IL begged, but to no purpose. The Indians
crowded around and swOre that they would
ilay me alive unless gave them show. saw
that it was useless to argue with them and l
took off my coat, struck up when I Can Read
My Title Clear to jig time and cut capers to the
best of my limited ability When ] concluded
the song and dance wanted to STOP but they
would not hear to such cut and l was com.
PEELED to waltz A Charge to Keep / Have
Then they called for another JIG and sang and
danced Come All Ye Sinners 1t was shame
full. but couldn't help it. After awhile the
white man announced that l might quit
lost no time in leaving the accursed place. let
me assure you. Just as | was crossing the
border saw man limpIng along and, catch
ing up with him. asked him the cause of the
impeachment in his step.
1--we had terrible time back yOnder,' he
said, pointing to the territory. 4 am show
man and my name is Billy Arlington. am
One-man show, because l find it easier to keep
myself organized than if had a company. /
was advertised to give show in the territory
one performance free-and went over to fill nv
engagement. When 1 got to the place l found
quite large audience of solemn looking In
dians. but the sOlemnity of the affair did not
discourage me. Well, I got up and began a
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
Snowman, but they said if didn't preach
they'd skin me. l didn't want to be skinned,
and after one big fellow came up and gave me a
welt that almost broke my leg. / concluded to
preach. Oh. but it was a spirited sermon, and
was tickled when they told me might quit"
81 saw it all then. We had got our appoint
ments mixed, but the discovery did not renew
my enthusiasm. Any man who wants to NAV
preach to the Indians. but l shall always re-
spectfully request to be counted out"