Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-11-08
Sadly Mixed,
A PREACHER AND SNOWMAN COM
FARE NOTES OF A CHEROKEE TOUR.
fArkansaw Traveller.


ANY one who thinks his mission on
earth will not be fulfilled unless he
breaches to the Indians may 90
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 to preach to the poor, deluded
Indian, but my experience has taught
me misunderstood the situation.
Having made application, | was COM
missioned to 20 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 |
arrived. and felt very much encouraged.
Without introducing myself l went to
the rear end of the house, where |
found rude table. and asked the con
grcgation to sing. Then l prayed.
after which | took my text and began
to preach. | noticed that the con
gregation became very restless, and,
thinking it was because | Gid not e1-
hbit enough spirit. | doubled my
efforts. Pretty soon white man, who
seemed to have great influence over the
Indians. arose and said:
Hold on a minute. capn. We
want to know when the show is goin' TO
commence
- SHOW" l gasped.
Yes, show. Although we don't
think much of a one man show, yet we
concluded TO come and see what you
could do. Quit your talkin' an git
down to business
=. Il did not come TO give show, my
good people. said. 4 came ,oprcach
to YOU.
Z" That's all very we'll said the
white man. but We know what You
come for. You come to give us II show
and now want to back out. We amt
a goin' To have 10 such Shirkin' ~ that,
an if YOU don't give us song an dance
we'll tie You TO tree an whale you till
you can't -qucal.
Il begged. but 10 no purpose. The
Indians crowded around aud swore that
they would flaw me alive unless gave
them show saw that il was useless
to argue with them. and ! took of my
coat, struck up When Can Read Ny
Title Clear TO JIG time, and cut capcrs
to the best Of my limited ability. When
concluded the song and dance wanted
10 stop. but they would not hear to such
Il cut aud | was compelled 20 waltz
4 Charge to Keep | Have Then
they called for another jig.and sang and
danced Come All le Sinners 1t was
shameful, but | couldn't help it. After
Il while the white man announced that
might quit. lost no time III leaving
the accurScd place. let me assure YOU.
Just as was crossing the border saw
4 man limping along. and, catching up
with him. asked him the cause of the
impeachment il his step.
I've had a terrible time back
Wonder he said. pointing to the territory.
Il am a SLOVENIAN, and my name is
Billy Arlington. Il am onc-mau
show. because | find it easier to keep
myself organized than il | had "a
company. was advertised 10 give
show in the territory-onc performance
trec-and went over to fill my engage
ment. When got 10 the place found
quite large audience Of solemn looking
Indians, but the solemniiv Of the affair
did not discourage me. Well. | got up
and began 10 shuttle when Il fellow
hoped up and said, None Of that.
You have come here TO preach and
yo've got to preach" told them that
was Il Snowman. 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 my leg. | concluded to
preach. Oh. but it was a spirited
sermon. and was tickled when they
told me might quit.
II saw il all then. We had got our
appointments 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"
That man was a conscientious Christian