The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1884-12-13
PAINTING A REPORTER RED.

The Indians of the great territory lying
west OF Arkansaw and Texas are be-
coming better legislators as time rolls
along the great highway OF Jove. The
reference to yves highway is intended
to be classical. don't know that any
specified highway has ever been con-
coded to Jove after estimates on the in
accessible precincts were made, but since
studying the earl of Derby's translation
of the lliad, think that it is every
mans duty so far as it does not interfere
with his household affairs. to be ancient
in form of expression and classic in
reference. There was a time, and not
very long ago, either, when the Indian
legislator who took his seat on pine log
under a shed a, Tahlequah was hardly
alive to the demands OF a law-making
occasion but now, though he still sits on
log under the same general assembly
shed, he has keen eye to the advance
ment of his country and determination
to see that all the whisky belonging 20
! his side of a vital question shall be
promptly surrendered. Young Leander
Potter, who recently graduated with dis
tinction and accepted journalism as the
calling of his life, reported part of the
proceedings of the last session of law
makers at Tahlequah. When he left
Little Rock few weeks ago, he was the
oil painting of health and manly attrac-
ton when he returned last Tuesday he
brought back the merest suggestion Of
what he once had been. His ears were
sliced and his nose was lacerated, while
on his cheeks he bore the rude carvings
of an ancient race.
"Why, Potter, what on earth is the
matter p | asked, when he hobbled into
the hotel and feebly grasped my arm.
Nothing"
what makes you look so careworn p"
The legislature had great deal Of
business on hand, and was kept so busy
that | should not be surprised if some
physician should tell me that my health
has been injured. Shortly after the
house, or rather shed, met for the enact
ment of grave laws to be promptly
violated by red-headed cattle-herders, a
fellow with loEg neck and auburn eyes
came to me and said: Il am the only
journalist who ever reported this thing to
the satisfaction of the Indians. made
so much money at it that | now own a
big ranch. discovered the fact that the
Indian legislator is keen man for fun
No matter how wild he may appear and
how violently he may rant, just write
something funny about him and he be-
comes your lifelong friend. There, for
instance, is Boggy John, speaker of the
house have seen him sit round the
translator when my paper would come in
and laugh until the paint on his face
curled up like withered rose-leaf'
thanked him for the cue he had
given me, and mentally resolved that I
would turn the hint to good account
wro$e, up Boggy John in very laughable
manner; told how he took his seat with a
sssist of dignity, and grunted like the i'm
msrtal American hog; how he reached
up his flowing name and popped his
hoofs together. Oh, it was a humorous
description, and so tickled was that the
FIVE days necessary to the arrival of my
paper, it seemed, would never come. AT
last the mail boy came with the bag.
With delight which could but i'll con-
ceal, | sat on a stump and listened to the
interpreter read the report to Boggy
John. Once he glanced toward me and
iancying that | saw gratitude beaming
through the lesthery skin of his face,
smoothed out the ruffled edges of my
emotion and seemed unconcerned. Doggy
John arose and approached me. was
in the act of reclining my head with a
reverential bend, when he seized me,
jerked me from the stump, threw me
down, sat on me, took out his knife and
began to execute the engravings which
are now such prominent features In my
general appearance. He did not speak,
but soon felt that he was dispIeased
with my manner of reporting. This
silent contempt On his part naturally
made me indignant. | crossed the river
while the moon was rising with its usual
composure, and from quiet loiter, |
hoped into brisk trot. The Iadians
are improving as Legislators. Afew years
ago, had reporter made fun of speaker
of the shed, he would have been hurt, bot
now, you see, so little attention is paid TO
such matter that the reporter, through
lack of interest steals away while the
dried night shades and punches Of
| catpip' hang by the cabin waIl.n