Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-14
A DRUMMER AMONG MORMoNs
A Bishop Points to Rifle and HOspi-
tably Entertains Him.
.froa ~ 0ineinnati Knql4.rer.

! l UlI6CiCu.
as usual, TO the Bishops house for enter
tainment. Rapping at the door, / was
soon confronted by large, heavily built,
broad-shouldered fellow, who asked me,
in anything but polite language, what L
wanted. l informed him that / desired
entertainment for the night.
'Where are you from?"
california, SIR"
'Where are you going"
South, !" answered. After plying me
with a few more questions of a similar
nature he invited me in. On entering the
house he turned to me and said:
"Do you see that rifle up theresr
Looking up to the point indicated saw
one Of those long, murderous rifles, com
monty called Mississippi rifles, resting
snugly upon the antlers OF q Rocky noun
tain buck. told him that | saw it, and
much admired the artistic manner of
hanging it.
"Well, mister, that is our lawmaker.
| When any one comes among us and COM
mits any dirt we do not hesitate for one
moment to use it. Now, listen TO me.
am the Bishop of this settlement. / have
| g.
| il you can promise me not to speak to, or
even look ut, any of my women folks, you
are welcome 70 remain over night. Keep
your eye on that rife and mind what 1
told you. Can you do itf"
1t was mighty hard job, but first told
him that l was at his command, and if it
was his honest desire, why, of course, /
would obey him. At that time he babe
me follow him into an adjoining room,
h,r ~ L. ~.
dimly conscious that there were several
females seated around the fire. He drew
up a chair for me and babe me be seated.
Turning to the women, he gave them or
ders to prepare supper, he himself taking
my orders Tor what l wished.
All this time dared not turn my head
or look toward any one but the Bishop. !
knew that his eyes we're upon me, and
that his two wives and daughters were
studying me closely. | was greatly en-
| barrassed, but withal managed to dispose
of a hearty supper, al the conclusion of
which we again returned to the sitting
room. 1t was by this time quite dark,
and his son, large, athletic fellow, COM
ing in, the Bishop told him to entertain
me, and, at the proper time, show me to
bed. Putting on his OveTcoat and fur
cap, for it was quite cold, he babe me
goodnight, saying that he was compelled
!
| ing the door he pointed to the rifle over
head and said: Remember, young man,
what l told YOU"
1t was positively unkiDd of him to re-
mind me OF it, for the COMPOUNDED old gun
was constantly on my mind. i had seen
some little of their treacherOus work, and
had heard much more. | knew what they
were capable OF doing, and, under the cir
| cumstances, dared not disobey his warn
/ a, ,.In ha
| The ladies' were seated on my right. the
son on my left. To make assurance
doubly sure, l turned my back to the la
| dies, and, facing the young man, entered
! into conversation with him. One Of the
ladies got up and went to the door several
times. Finally she came Up behind me
and bluntly asked if was Mormon. l
hardly knew what to do. | had been
warned against speaking to or even look
ing at any of the women. Was she try
| ing TO draw me into troubleI She GER
tainly knew that had been forbidden to
address her under the penalty OF death.
Yet there she stood, calmly inviting me
to my fate. The young mans eyes were
upOn me. Great beads of Precipitation
started out on my forehead.
''Do not fear TO speak, young man; he
has gone, and will not return before mid
night" she said, and at that she laid her
hand on my head.
sits all right, stranger" said the son.
ats all right; speak up and look around
you as much as you please. Pll vouch for
! your safety"
The ice was now broken, and, turning
to the old lady, said that / was not
| Mormon.
"Thank God for thatw she said, and
then the conversation became general. /
was told all about the heartaches and suf-
g.. hfarrr
| in almost every case they had been de-
| luded into joining the Mormon faith I'M
der false pretenses; what shame and NOR
| LITIGATION came over them when 1t
was found out that second or third
| wife was to be taken into the household.
was rather reticent, and did not express
my opinion on the subject as l otherwise
would have done. The two daughters
were comedy and full OF life. About 10
o'clock they bid me goodnight and re-
tired. A half hour later | was conducted
TO my room by the young man.
Ascending pair Of stairs and entering
the door 10 my right / was somewhat
amazed to find myself in the bed chamber
Of the young ladies, who had by this time
retired. Their lamp was still burning,
and, having forgotten all previous warn
ings, 1 allowed my eyes to roam at will
around the room, and naturally they
| At5ANu oh hNU NlhABltu A0btn b0hNaAh
snowy caps. As was enjoying the scene
| was brought TO a realization OF my posi-
ton by the deep tones OF the young man,
who said:
"This way, please" and taking me
by the arm pointed TO a bed In an ad-
joining room, remarking, "You will sleep
there"
The rooms were connected by double
doorway. The doors had been dispensed
with, aud, consequently, we were vlrtu-
ally in the same room. | was soon snugly
slowed away, and az naught divided US
but an imaginary door my courage re-
vlved. Situated AS ! was, began 10 am
alyZe my feelings. Here | was in the
house Of strangers. True, one head OF the
family had forbidden me 10 hold any COM
munication with the other part, while the
other part OF the family had vetoed the
first injunction, and | had Obeved them
both. Here was certainly confidence. IL
struck me that the young ladies' were ex-
ceedingly vivaciOus, as they kept up
constant litter, aud their murmurngs Of
soft nOthings were somewhat embarrass-
Ing 10 my sensitive nature. l was just
beginning 10 congratulate myself on hav-
ing so much confidence repOsed In me by
my host, when whit was my astonish-
ment TO see the young man dragging a
mattress into tho doorway ard making
his bed there. As he was going TO lie
down he drew forth q large sized six
shooter, and. placing 40 under his pillow,