The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-11
A Drummer Amory Nor,non.

On my arrival at the I.ehf Iwas AZ
rected. as usual. TO the bishon'a house
Tor entertainment Rappino at fhs
door was soon confronted hy n Iaros
heayy-builf. broad-shouldered fsIlosv
who asked me. in anything but nol,,s
language. what l wanted. infar,,ss,
him that | desired entertainment for
the night
Where are you froms'
California. sir
Nv here are you goines'f
South, | answered After ,,i,-;r,-
me with few more questions of . sim,
liar nature, he invited me in. On en-
tering the house. be turned to me and
said:
do you see that rifle up there?''
Looking up TO the point indicated T
saw one of those LONG. murderops =
rifles resting snugiy upon the antlers
OF Rocky mountain buck. l told
MIN that saw 1t, aud much admired
the artistic manner of hanging it.
We'll. mister. that Is our lawmaker.
W hen anyone comes among us and
commits any dirt we do not hesitate ia
use 1t. Now. listen to me. anu the
bishop of this settlement. l have two
wives and several daughters. Now. il
you can promise me not to speak to. OF
even look at any of my women folks,
you are welcome 10 remain over night.
Keep your eye on that rifle and minc
what told you. Can you do it?''
1t was mighty hard Job, but frs
told him that | was at his command
and if it was his honest desire why O
course would obey him. At tha
time he bade me to follow him into al
adjoining room. where his family wa:
assembled | was dimly consciou!
that there were several females seated
around the fire. He drew up a chail
and bade me be seated. Turning t,
the women he gave them orders t
prepare supper, he himself taking m,
orders for what | wished
All this time | dared not turn M,
head nor look toward anyone but tho
bishop. l knew that his eyes were up
on me, and that his two wives an1
daughters were studying me closely
L was greatly embarrassed. but witha
managed to dispose of a hearty supper
at the conclusion of which we agar
returned 20 the sitting-room. 1t wa
by this time quite dark; and his son.
large. athletic fellow, coming in. tn,
bishop told him 10 entertain me. an,
at the proper time to show me to bed
Putting on his overcoat and fur cap
for it was quite cold, he bade me goo,
night. saying that he was compelled t,
attend u ward meeting. Before clos
ing the door he pointed to the rifi
| overhead and said: Remember
young man, what told voun'
1t was positively unkind of him t
old gun was constantly on my mind
L had seen some of their treacherou
work, and had heard much more.
knew what they were capable of doing
| and after the circumstances, dared no
disobey his warning. The door close
and he was gone. The ladies wer
seated on my right, the son on my lef
| To make assurance doubly sure l turI
| ed my back to the ladies, and, facin
| the young man, entered into convers;
| ton with him. One of the ladies o,
up several times and went to the doc
Finally she came up and bluntly aske
| me if l was Mormon. | hardly kne
what to do. | had been warne
against speaking to or even looking ;
| any of the women. Was she trying |
| draw me into trouble? She certainl
knew that l had been forbidden to a,
dress her under penalty of death. Y
| there she stood, calmly inviting me [
my fate. The young mans eyes wei
upon me. Great beads of perspiratio
started out on my forehead.
DO not fear to speak, young mar
he has gone, and will not return b
fore midnight, she said, and at th;
she laid her hand on my head.
Its all right. stranger" said th
son. Its all right; speak up an
look around you as much as yo
please. Pli youch for your safety"
/ The ice was now broken and turnin
to the old lady l said that | was not
| Mormon.
THANK God for that" she said, an
| then the conversation became genera
| was told all about the heartaches an
sufferings of the original wife; how
almost every case they had been d.
luded into joining the Mormon fait
under false pretenses; what shame an
| modification came over them when
| was found out that second or thin
wife was to be taken into the hous
hold. | was rather reticent. and d
not express my opinion on the suble'
as | otherwise would have done. III
two daughters were comely and fu
of life. About 10 o'clock they bac
me good night and retired. A hal
hour later l was conducted to my roo
by the young man.-Ciactnnati Ri