Middletown transcript., 1884-12-19
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 Jove's highway is intended
to be classical. don't know that any
specified highway has ever been con-
ceded to Jove after estimates on the in
accessible precincts were made, but
since studying the Earl of Derby's
translation of the Iliad, think that it
is every mans duty so far as it does not
interfere with his household affairs, to
he ancient in form of expression and
classic in reference. There was time.
and not very long ago, either, when the
Indian legislator who took his seat on
pine log under a shed at Tahlequah
was hardly alive to the demands of
law-making occasion but now, though
he still sits on a log under the same
general assembly shed, he has keen
eye to the advancement of his country
and determination to see that all the
whisky belonging to his side of vital
question shall be promptly surrendered.
Young Leander Potter, who recently
graduated with hdistinctiona and accepted
journalism as the calling of his life,
reported a part of the proceedings of
the last session of lawmakers at
Tahlequah. When he left Little Rock
a few weeks ago, he was the oil painting
of health and manly attraction 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 ?'' asked, when he hobbled
into the hotel and feebly grasped my
arm.
NOthing.n
What makes you look so care
worn ?''
The legislature had great deal of
business on hand, and l 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
enactment of grave laws to be promptly
by red-headed cattle-herders, a
fellow with a long neck and auburn
eyes came to me and said am the
only journalist who ever reported this
thing to the satisfaction of the Indians.
I made so much money at it that / now
own big ranch. discovered the fact
that the Indian legislator isa 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 becomes your lifelong friend.
There, for instance, is BOggy John,
speaker of the house. have seen him
lit round the translator when my paper
would come in and laugh until the
paint OH his face curled up like a
rose-leaf.
81 thanked him for the cue he had
given me, and mentally resolved that 1
would turn the hint to good account.
wrote up Boggy John in very
aughable manner; told how he took
lis seat with a twist of dignity, and
yrunted like theimmOrtal American
log how he reached up his flowing
name and popped his hoofs together.
Oh, it was a humorous description, and
70 tickled was l that the five days
to the arrival Of my paper, it
eemed, would never come. At last
he mail boy came withthe bag. With
delight which could but i'll conceal,
sat on stump and listened to the
Interpreter read the report to Boggy
Tohn. Once he glanced toward me
md fancying that 1 saw the gratitude
,eaming through the leathery skin of
lis face, 1 smoothed out the ruf1ed
,dges of my emotion and seemed un-
BOggy John arose and ap-
,roached me. 1 was in the act of re-
.lining my head with a reverential
DeDd, when he seized me, jerked me
rom the stump, threw me down, sat
N me, took out his knife and began to
execute the engravings which are now
uch prominent features in my general
appearance. He did not speak, but I
ioon felt that he was displeased with
ny manner of reporting. This silent
contempt on his part naturally made
ne indignant. crossed the river
while the moon was rising with its
Usual cOmposure, and from q quiet
otter, hoped into brisk trot. The
Indians are improving as legislators.
few years ago, had reporter made
fun of a speaker of the shed, he would
have been hurt, but now, you see, so
little attention is paid to sucha a matter
that the reporter, through lack of in-
terest steals away while the dried
night shades and lunches of catnip'
hang by the cabin wall. n-OPIE P.
READ, IN N. Y. Mercury.
MONTREAL purposes having a big