Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-01-22

engagement mentioned in tho begin
ming Of this article, terminated
Lightning had often spoken OF hi
stay in a printing Office in Talequah
,fnd intimated that he had .learned (,
talk Indian equal to the greasies
buck in the nation" but had Away
been discouraged when he sought Il
give sample OF this requirement
One morning he failed to show up a
the Office, but came in at IL o'clock,
and, to use his own expression.
fetched yawp" that would have
done credit TO an untamed Comanche
redskin. He then commenced a har-
choice brand of Indian tongue, and q,
last said: MY time is OUT let's settle
up. for want to go TO St Joe and
grow up with the country. When
does the next train go Southp" He
had been talking of buying some win
ter clothing with his earnings, as cold
weather was at hand. and the
editor suggested, as he paid him, that
he do this. He replied. 'Tvc got a
new pair OF socks, and here is a good
overcoat." With this remark. he cut
a sheet OF heavy paper, and said. as
he placed such 'overcoat" under his
vest; This will keep out the cold.
and prevent n fellow from taking in
Illumination Of the stomach or bowels. {"
He then took his money and went to q
saloon, where he talked Indian and
set up the drinks until long after the
train for st. Joe had passed. He then
went to the depot and asked which
way the next train would go. When
told that the next train would be the
north bound freight he said: 'All
right I'm a Northern man, and will
go on in. Have the caboose to draw
up to the platform and telegraph the
porter to bring mo footstool." He
left on this train, and during the half
score OF years that have passed since
then, nothing has been heard of his
wanderings
Poor old Lightning Jerry! He pos
sessed qualities of mind. which, if
rightly directed, might have entranced
a nation. During his life and wander
ings he had gathered pearls OF thought
that would have decorated the most
beautiful structures of language, but
yet were ruthlessly thrown in the
mire or used to accomplish ignoble
ends. He had a good education and
a natural thirst for information, which
he sought to quench, in his better mo-
ments oy drinking deeply from the
OF history literature. science
and art but his ambition eoemed to
reach no higher than the existence
which has been depicted herein. His
familiarity with important events use
full facts, ETC., shone brilliantly when
he chose to talk In extended strain.
but was more often exemplifed in re-
marks called out by circumstances.
In the latter case he almost invariably
used the vernacular acquired during
his wanderings.
The world looks, in such cases as
his, for life HISTORIAN unfortunate
Iove affair in youth. or a cherished
killed by the early frosts of
II any such clouds
ever fitted across his life he never
mentioned the fact He was probably
)nly a member OF the large army of
men who formed a disposition for
Gaming, and it overshadowed any
purpose he might at one
line have had. He doubtless had a
surname, but he chose to be known
'nly as "Old Lightning or Light
hing jerry" Two objects seemed to
enlist his affectiona,e attention. One
vas his long beard. which had been
showing" for at least twenty winters,
md the other was q battered letter.
which he carried in an inner pocket
md re-read at frequent intervals.
The letter. he said. was from little |
liece, whom he spoke of going to !
zee, when he got in better shape"
Whether or not this time ever came,
$ not known. If he still lives may
he winter OF life. which is now far
advanced with him. find him better
for his last great Journey
han he was for the trip which he .
ook on the north bound freight" on
hat winters day years ago. -Arkan-
aw Traveller