St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1897-09-18
In Cyclone Streak.

\ HIS LlIuG IdSt week QtQU y KNOW O.
blessed bit more than you about
what was goin on over there in that
rugged strip of country which they
call Cyclone Streak. But soon Friday
nornin little Bunk Weatherford rid by
to tell us that they would have big.
picnic and public speakin in Cyclone
Streak that day. Nothin must do but
what must go, and SO consequentially
went with him.
Well, first and last, I have lived long
time, been about considerable and seen
heap of sights. But that was the
gonebyest, hottest day. and the blam-
dest, most hottest place have ever
driv into, do believe. White people,
if dirk knives and six-shooters don't
grow on the trees in that country I'll
be essentially himfamed if can tell
where they come from in such alarnin
plenty. And bless the heavens if it
don't look to me like you could take
and saw up the rotten logs over there
and squeeze out moonshine whisky by
the gallon.
It was ruther late when me and Bunk
driv up that day and they had already
opened the performance. But in the
mainline it would seem like they had
got up red-hot disputation and some
of the delegates had bolted the con-
vention. One half of the crowd want
ed to put up six of their most ablest
young men-three to the side-and
debate the great question as to who
discovered America, whilst the other
side wanted to hire a pair of fddlers
and adopt platform in favor of free
and unlimited good time. That was
the snag on which they first tore the
blanket, and all but tore up the bosom
Of mother earth with a anonymous re-
port in.favor of free fight. When we
Sriv up the fidd1ers were playin little
patches of some lively old tunes like
"Cotton-Eyed Joe," and "Mollie Pat
the Kettle On,'' and ''Soapsuds Over the
Fence whilst one-half of the crowd
went on with the dance. C1ost by Gus
Harkins had clum into a wagon, opened
the debate and was holdin forth on the
mainest question: "Who discovered
America - Christopher, Columbus or
George Washington?"
As time wore on the dancing waxed
fast and furious, and the speakin
Waxed loud and louder. It was then
four bits with one and so cents with
the other as to which could kick up the
most fuss-two fiddlers with their fid-
dies or Gus Harkins with his mouth.
BY and by the thing got SO sulfurious
hot till somethin had to blaze. Tie
fire broke loose out in the edge of the
crowd, and when The dust riz and the
smoke cleared away there was wound
ed-6; dead-o; badly skeered-217.
When Bunk Weatherford come by
that mornin he fetched the news that
they would have dinner on the ground.
But I didn't see no signs of kitchen
physic. All could see was people
and empty bottles and six-shooters.
Consequent tally when / come tolthink
about it, il had any business totend
to it was here at home, and { hadn't
lost nothin over there in Cyclone
Streak. VI. a
When me and Bunk hooked up and
drfv or they hadn't yet settled the
great question as to who discovered
America. But Bunk lowed it didn't
make a a. st.afs difference with him
whether vas Christopher Columbus
or George Hashin gton or Anay Jack
son. He was ii favor of the resolution
to return back home. And icome with
him.