Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-22
sadly Mixed.
ArkansaW Traveller.

ANY one who thinks his mission OF
earth will not be fulfilled unless b
breaches to the Indians can go an'
preach TO them" said the Rev. Mr.
MellwOod, but prefer to preach 4
other people. | was very enthusiastic
some time ago, and thought it was ny
duty to preach to the poor, deludeC
Indian, but my experience has taught
me that misunderstood the situation
Having made application, l was com
missioned to go into the Territory an!
distribute the Word among the rec
men. My first appointment was at
little log house in the ChoctawNAtion
Quite little congregation had assem-
bled when l arrived, and felt very
much ENCOURAGED. Without intro
dueing myself | went to the rear end
of the house, where | found rude
table, and asked the congregation to
sing. No one responded and | sang I
hymn. Then prayed, after which
took my text and began to preach.
noticed that the congregation became
very restless, and thinking it was be-
cause did not exhibit enough spirit
| doubled my efforts. Pretty soon q
white man, who seemed to have great
influence over the Indians, arose and
said:
Hold on minute, cap'n. We want
to know when the show is goln Ia
commence.
Show | gosped.
"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 talkin an gil
down to business.
az did not come to give show, my
good people, | said. L 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 9
show and now want to back out. We
amt goin' to have no such shirkin'
as that, an if you don't give us a song
an dance; we'll tie you to a tree an
whale you till you can't equal.
II legged but to no purpose. The
Indians crowded around and swOre
that they would fay me alive
unless | gave them a show. | saw
that it was useless to argue with
them and took off my coat, struck
up When can Read my Title Clear,
to jig time and cut capers to the
best Of my limited ability. When |
concluded the song aud dance !
wanted to stop but they would not
hear to such a cut. and | was com.
PEELED to waltz : A Charge to Keep |
Have. Then they called for a jig and
| sang and danced Come all ye Sin
ners 1t was shameful but | couldn't
help it. After awhile the white man
announced that | might quit. / lost
40 time in leaving the aceursed place,
let me assure you. Just as | was
crossing the border, saw a man limpa
ing along, and catching up with him,
asked him the cause Of the impedi-
mentin his step.
1--WE had a terrible time back
yonder, he said, pointing to the Ter
ritory. 1 am a shOwman,:and my
name is Billy Arlington. am a one
man show, because fnd it easier to
keep myself organized than if | had a
company. | was advertised to rive q
show in the Territory-one perform
ance free-and went over to fill my
engagement. Whet got t
the place found quite large audi
ence Of solemn looking Indians, bur
the solemnity Of the affair did not dis
courage me. Well, / got up and be
gan to shuffis when a fellow hoped
up and said, None OF that. Yor
have come here to preach and you've
got to preach" | told them that
was a Snowman, but they said that il
didn't preach they'd shin me.
didn't want to be skinned, and after
one big fellow came up and gave me {
welt that almost broke my leg, | con
cluded to preach. Oh, but it was I
spirited sermon, and was tickleC
when they told me might quit"
81 saw it all, then. Va had got oui
appointments mixed, but the discoye.
ry did not renew my enthusiasm. AM
man who wants to may preach to thu
indians, but shalt always respect
fully request to be counted out