Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-22

engagement mentioned in tho begin
ming Of this article, terminated.
Lightning had often spoken OF his
stay in a printing Office in Talequah.
and intimated that no had 'learned TO
talk Indian equal TO tho greasiest
buck in the nation" but had always
been discouraged when he sought to
give sample OF this requirement.
Ono morning he failed TO show up at
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 ComanchH
redskin. He then commenced har-
rangue in Choctaw. or some other
choice brand of Indian tongue, and rs
last said: my time is out; let's settle
up. for want 10 go TO St Joe and
grow up with the country. When
does the next train go South?" lie
had been talking OF buying some win
ter clothing with his earnings. rs cold
weather was at hand. and the
editor suggested. ms he paid him, that
he do this. He replied, 1--WE got n
new pair OF socks and here is good
overcoat.' With this remark. he cut
sheet OF heavy paper, and said, as
he placed such 'overcoat" under his
vest: This will keep out the cold.
and prevent fellow from taking in
Illumination OF the stomach or bowels. I"
He then took his money and went TO n
saloon, where he talked Indian and
set up tho drinks until long after the
train for 81. 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 | IN Northern man, and will
90 on in. Have the caboose to draw
up TO the platform and telegraph the
porter TO bring me "a 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 lie 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 good education. and
a natural thirst for information. which
he sought to quench in his better mo-
ments oy drinking deeply from the
fountains OF History, literature science
and art, but his ambition soemed 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 exemplified in re-
marks called out by circumstances.
In the latter case he almost invariably
used the vernacular acquired during
his wanderjngs.
Tho world looks, in such cases as
his for life HISTORIAN unfortunate
love affair in youth. or cherished
ambition, killed by the early frosts of
disappointment II any such clouds
ever fitted across his life he never
mentioned tho fact He was probably
only member OF the large army of
men who formed a disposition for
roaming and il overshadowed any
particular purpose he might at one
time have had. He doubtless had a
surname, but he chose 10 be known
only as "Old Lightning, or Light
ming Jerry" Two objects seemed to
enlist his aifectionato attention. One
WIS his long beard. which had been
showing for at least twenty winters
and the other was a battered letter,
which he carried in an inner pocket,
and re-read at frequent intervals.
The letter he said, was from little
niece, whom he spoke of going to
see, when he got in better shape.
Whether or not this time ever came,
is not known. If he still lives may
the winter Of life, which is now far
advanced with him. find him better
prepared for his last great journey
than he was for the trip which he
took on the north bound freight" on
that winters dag years ago --Arilan-
saw Traveller.