Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-13
a Drummer Among Nformons.

4 -
On my arrival Ut the Lehl was d.
rected as usual, to the bishops house
for entertainment. Rapping a: the
door was soon confronted by a large,
heavy-built, broad -shouldered fellow,
who asked me. in anything but polite
| language, what | wanted. | informed
him that | desired entertainment for
thesnight.
Where are you fromP"
California, SIR"
where are you goingp"
South l answered. After plying
me with few more questions of a sim
liar nature, he invited me in. On en-
tering the house, he turned to me and
said:
.'Do you see that rifle up thcrep"
Looking up to the point indicated
saw one Of those long. murderous
rifles, resting snugly upon the antlcrs
OF Rocky mountain buck. | told
him that l saw it. and much admired
the artistic manner Of hanging it.
'Well, mister, that is our lawmaker.
When anyone comes among us and
commits any dirt we do not hesitate to
use 1t. Now, listen to me. am the
bishop of this settlement. I have two
wives and several daughters. Now, If
you can promise me not to speak to, or
even look at any of my women folks,
you are welcome to remain over night.
Keep your eye on that rifle and mind
what told you. Can you do itp'
10 was mighty hard job. but first
told him that l was at his command,
and If 1t was his honest desire why of
course would obey him. At that
time he bade me to follow him into an
adjoining room, where his family was
assembled. l was dimly consciou,
that there we're several females seated
around tho fire. He drew up chair
and bade me be seated. Turning to
the women he gave them orders to
prepare supper, he himself taking nv
orders for what wished.
All this time dared not turn nv
head nor look toward anyone but the
bishop. l knew that his eyes were up.
on me, and that his two wives and
daughters were studying me closely.
l was greatly embarrassed, but withal
managed to dispose Of a hearty supper,
at the conclusion OF which we again
returned to the sitting-room. 1t was
ny this time quite dark; and his son, q
large, athletic fellow, coming in, the
bishop told him to entertain me, and
at the proper time to show me to bed.
Putting on his overcoat and fur cap,
for it was quite cold. he bade me good
night. saying that he was compelled to
attend ward meeting. Before clos
ing the door he pointed to the rifle
overhead and said: 'Remember.
young man. what told you!"
1t was positively unkind of him to
remind me Of it, for the confounded
old gun was constantly on my mind.
had seen some of their treacherous
work, and had heard much more.
knew what they were capable OF doing,
and after the circumstances. dared not
disobey his warning. The door closed
and he was gone. The ladies were
seated on my right, the son on my left.
10 make assurance doubly sure | turn
cd my back to the ladies, and, facing
the young man, entered into conversa,
tion with him. One of the ladies got
up several times and went to the door.
Finally she came up and bluntly asked
me if was Mormon. hardly knew
what to do. l had been warned
against speaking to or even looking at
any of the women. Was she trying to
draw me into troublep She certainly
knew that | had been forbidden to ad-
dress her under penalty of death. Yet
there she stood, calmly inviting me to
my fate. The young mans eyes were
upon me. Great beads of perspiration
started out on my forehead.
''Do not fear to speak, young man;
he has gone, and will not return be-
fore midnight she said, and at that
she laid her hand on my head.
"lts all right. stranger" said the
son. Its all right; speak up and
look around you us much as YOU
please. I'll vouch for your safety"
The ice was now broken and turning
to the old lady said that was not q
Mormon.
"lhank God for that" she said. and
thcn the conversation became general.
l was told all about the hcartaches and
suiferings of the original wife; how in
almost every case they had been de-
luded into joining the Mormon faith
under false prctenses; what shame and
modification came over them when it
was found out that second or third
wife was to be taken into the house,
hold. ! was rather reticent. and did
not express my opinion on the subject
as ! otherwise would have done. The
two daughters were comcly and full
of life. About 10 o'clock they bade
me good night and retired. A half
hour later was conducted to my room
by the young mani [jncinnati En-