Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-03-05
Geronimo ana the Sunday School.

Readers or the Tribune may remem.
Der Gero imo, the distinguished Apa-
che, who, a few years ago, created a
sensation down IN New Mexico and
Arizona neighborhood. Geronimo ap-
peared at that time to he sowing his
wild oats. Not only did he disturb the
settlers and kill a good many OF them,
but he actually had the audacity to
whoop at the United States army.
And while the army thought it was
chasing him up canon to avenge the
insult, the irreverent savage used to
come down another canon and woop at
it again. In fact, he led the army a
long chase, but he was caught at last
and transferred to Florida, where the
Government could keep its eye on him.
Geronimo is probably an instance of
a man who went West too young.
While he was attracting attention in
New Mexico, he showed evidence of
having been in bad company. He had
learned to drink and scalp his fellow
men. But at heart Geronimo was, in
the words OF the political procession,
''all right" His intimate friends knew
his all the time-it was only casual
acquaintances-say, for instance, those
who had met him once only and been
Scalped-who insisted that Geronimo
did not mean well. Now, it would seem
that even they must be convinced
that his heart was in the right place.
For, since his residence In Florida, we
are told by special despatch that he
has lost all heatrei of the white peo-
pie" More than that-and even his
friends may be surprised at thIs-Gero-
nimo IS teaching Sunday-school
class"
1t is said to be a rare and beautiful
sight to see this dangerous savage en-
gagged impart:ng Suniay-school instruc-
tion. He is much attached to the boys
and girls who make up his class. He
owes to lay his hands on their heads
and toy with their curly locks. Once
or twice, on such occasions, the Super
intendent of the sch Iol has noticed him
make a quick, impulsive movement
With his other hand toward his bet,
but, finding 1t empty he only sighed
and went on with the lesson. Great
difficulty was experienced with Gero-
nimo at first, from his desire to revise
the creed and otherwise make changes
in not only the forms and the lie son.
but even in Scriptural passages. In
deed, he has not got over 1t entirely
ent WAS asJonished 20 hear ili n explain
ing certain points to his class. 1t ap-
pears that the lesson was in st. Mat
thew, and one of the girls having
asked some question, Geronimo an
swered without referring to his Testa-
ment, and became sadly confused be-
fore he got through. The old Mosaic
doctrine - he Is reported to have said,
was, as you know, an eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth. That, my chill
dren, is now passed away, and we have
something much more beautiful and
practical IN its place. 1t is this: If We
smite man on the right cheek make
him turn likewise the other that ye
may SmIte that also. And if We take
away a mans coat take We his cloak
also. This is the new dispensation,
Children, and, rude savage though l
was, / livei up 10 il in Arizona" The
superintendent Interrupted him at his
point and took him into a hack room
and read him the chapter he was try
ing TO eXpound and illuminated the
whole subject for him. When Gero-
nimo came back TO his class he Admit
ted his N stake, but still insisted that
hIs plan seemed the better. But those
having him in charge are conf lent
Jhat he VIII sOOn get over these little
eccentricities and become a model
teacher. He loves to employ pictorial
art in his class, and recently. when the
subject of Samson and the PhilistInes
was under cons deratioa, he drew a
reilly striking picture of the scene Oh
The blackboard. There was a great
crowd of the Philistines running away
as fast as their legs would carry them.
while Samson, alone AMI brandIshing
his well-known weapon, was coming
close behind. The only possible fault
that anybody could have found WAS
that Samson was made with feathers in
his hair and a string of scalps around
his waist, while the Philistines were all
in the un form of the United States
Army.
But, though Geronimo may occa-
sionally make a little mistake, we are
sure that everybody will be glad to
hear of the great change which has
come over him. 1t is better to draw
Samson with scalping-knife in his
belt than to be using it on South
western settler. Chief Geronimo is ell
titled to all praise for the new life lie is
lealIng.-NeI1 York Tribune.