The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-09-04

4 y
81 laid out this town of Lehigh just
thirty-four years ago, and you are the
first Gentle woman who ever got into
| itv'
"Well," said, as took o chair and
seated myself comfortably, "that is
quite an interesting circumstance. I'm
sure I'm proud of the honor of being
the first appreciate it"
you've got to CO." he growled, in
the same jerky tore in which he had
said "Put her out! Put her out!''
ooh, no." l said; 'I'vc come to stay.
1t is all the more necessary for me to
stay if am the only one, but 1 assure
you. Bishop Evans. there are plenty
more who will come after me.''
He looked as if he were going to
strike me. l have no doubt but that he
would have done 50 if he had dared.
But ones life is safe enough in Utah.
The killing days have gone by and the
Mormons know it. They are afraid OF
our Government interfering when they
shed blood. The Bishop simply glared
with ferocious look and clinched
hands, then strobe out of the house.
giving the door terrific bang behind
him. Mrs. Evans was nearly frightened
out of her wits.
There's train from Lehigh at
eleven O'clock" she began, when in
terrupted her. ~ didn't come to Le-
high at five o'clock Friday afternoon"
/ said, ito leave it at eleven on Satur-
day morning. have come to stay,
my dear madam, as / told your hus-
band"
That day l attempted to find board
ing-place, the attempt consisting in
walking from house to house, knocking
at the door and asking for a room of
some SORT not being particular as to
size, location or furnishing. The doors
were invariably slammed in my face,
though in many cases the slamming
process was preceded by the question,
which after awhile became ludicrous
enough to me: "Be you Presbyteri-
an?" That I was a Gentle seemed
somehow obvious enough.
Not getting boarding place bought
ahouse--apoor little affair of four rooms
and, though Saturday afternoon was
not very favorable time for setting up
housekeeping, l managed to &c. my
trunks. boxes and some provisions into
it. finding that hurried and unsatisfac-
tory operation preferable to returning
to the Bishops house for the night,
even if he had not carried into execu-
ton his threat to '.Put her outs
Sunday morning brought divers of
his families" to visit me in my new
abode-Matilda, Jane, Loreny and
Martha Ann all had their representa-
tives under my roof.
Can you sing us tune out of your
own head?" one of the girls asked.
l sang a few lines for her, then said:
''Wouldn't You like to get lot of your
young friends in Lehigh to come and
have good sing this afternoon? have
plenty of books in big box, and I'll
teach YOU"
''All the young folks in Lehigh?"
eyes; Just as many rs you can get''
"Oh, my! They'll all come"
never mentioned the word Sunday
school, but that is the way began one,
the first in all the thirty-four years OF
Lehigh.
My day school grew slowly and
through bitter opposition. l had fur
nished two of my little rooms with the
school appliances sent from the East,
and enough wonder and curiosity was
excited by them to keep some of the
children in daily attendance.
But their greatest wonder was about
my religion. They became convinced
Mt last that was not Presbyterian,
but what was remained mystery.
One day a girl said to me in an insinu-
ating manner: Teacher. you amt n
Presbyterian or Methody, and l can't
think what you be. Don't folks have
any religion where you come from?"
answered: "Oh, yes, a very beauti-
full religion. was writing some of it
this morning on the blackboard, as in
deed l had done, and l turned the board
that she might read these words from
Ephesians:
LET all bitterness and wrath and anger and |
clamor and evil speaking be put away from |
you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to |
another, tenderhcartcd, forgving one anot.i- |
err, even Us God for Christs sake has forgiven |
you"
God was not an unknown word to
the Mormon children, for they are
taught that every Bishop becomes a
god in reward for faithful service, and
was not surprised at the girls next
question: 'Is your God a smarter man
than Brigham Young?" They seemed
profoundly impressed when \ read to
them that God made the mountains.
brigham Young couldn't do that"
was one of the comments. '.Did your
God make the mountains round here.
teacher l shouldn't think he could
make them if he lives way of il the
States" One OF the boys brought me-
several packages of books from the
post-office, and coniidentially informed
some of his playmates that God was
real good friend Of teachers, and He
lived in the States, and made all the