The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-05

Nv.
0OSSIPING HUMBUGS AND THE
QUILTIN' BEE.
(Continued.)

(Continued.)
We danced through the set, and as we
were located at the foot OF the line we
didn't go down the centre until the last
ones. and when we did all eyes were
fxed on US, for they'd heard how Tolera-
tion used to dance when he was young
and had the name OF putting In the most
steps OF any Of the young men OF his
time in the old-fashioned dances. Well.
somehow we both felt just like doing the
very best we could, and the way we went
down the centre a heelin' and toein' 10 the
music was a caution 1 can tell ye, Then
how the young folks did cheer, and what
a good time we did have And 10 my sur
prise most all OF the church members
were in the barn alookin' on and enjoying
Il as much as the rest OF US did. Now
there's human nature for you. We talk
one thing and do another for we don't be-
neve half what we say ourselves.
Jane Bates had TO have her say, or
course. although she didn't say ii publicly.
But heard afterwards that she said.
when asked how she liked Toleration's
dancin. that she said as how he stepped
pretty well, but she guessed 1 made him
step n good deal higher than he ever did
before after he got married. But what do
care, she's an old maid and always will
be, and that's all I've got to say.
Altar everybody had gone home with
about as much good cheer in their hearts
as we had ever seen at any such Ike
meetin, and the young folks had all gone
10 bed. federation pulled his chair up TO
the fireplace, and after poking over the
Goals and putin on another stick or
wood, he sot back I'm his chair and says:
"Malnda. where do you suppose they'll
stop before they get through talking
about the dancing that has been goin on
tonisht7'
"Well" says /, Probably they'll never
stop short OF the minister's ears. And
II he wasn't a man OF good common sense.
I'd expect they'd make lot OF trouble.
Or at least, some OF them would, no mat
ter IL they did have a real good time
iookin' on themselves. Some folks like TO
enjoy what they call dissipation and then
blame somebody else for It. But I'm not
worried about the outcome OF the young
folks adancin I'm the barn, nor for the
old folks who danced nuther, for there Is
no call for condemnation OF the spirit,
and as there isn't what's the use OF caring
about what is said
Greatest trouble / know OF with the
churches today Is" says federation,
There is too much claim for the work
that we are doing as Christians. because
OF the amount OF hapgers-on who cling 10
our skirts while performing evil things.
but those evil things are not in the line
OF dancing The sooner the Christian men
and women OF this country shake of
these imposters who are using our belief
ss a cloak to their wrong doing the better
we will be OFF, and the more good we can
do In the world. The old Creek Indian
Chieftain 'Tomo Chachi,' put the thing in
q pretty clear light when he said, after
being urged to listen TO the doctrines Of
Christianity: why, there are Christians
In Savannah: there are Christians at
Frederica' And then the observing old
savage exclaimed Christian much
drunk Christian beat menl Christian tell
lies! Devil Christianl We no Christianv"
The Indian delighted TO hold his own
people high and above any kind OF religion
that would make liars and drunkards. OF
course, he saw only the evil that evil
men performed under the name OF the
Christian church. and he was not able to
draw the line between the real and imi-
tation Christian. If. instead OF chasing
theatres and dance halls we would devote
more time TO chasing Satan out OF our
midst we'd do enough sight more good.
and savages would not then humiliate us
-by-teliihg naked truths
suppose that old Red man meant the
frontier settler who sold tin pans for
mirrors TO the Indians and then after
wards sold his people firewater. who was
the same class OF white man who I'm the
larger towns puts the large potatoes on
the top OF the bushel and then swears
that's the way they'll run all through.
But when you git down TO the bottom
you'll find lot OF little lies. Another mer-
chant sells you a suit OF clothes for your
boy and tells you there isn't single
thread Of cotton in the garment. All wool.
After a time you find out that he has lied.
Garment didn't wear well. but the lie was
more durable. Hasn't worn out yet
Member OF a Christian church and a
Christian community. but had no scru-
pies about selling you a little oleomargar-
Inc for real cream butter Well, yes; he
did stop II after time. but not until
Uncle Sam made a law that he should
stamp every pound so that his customer
would know what he was agittin'.
'Twasn't because he had any scruples
his respect for his Creator. Stopped the
traffic because he didn't like 20 take
chances OF going 10 Jail. Well. guess
'tain't TO be wondered at that savages
can see n lot OF evil In our midst. There
was too much truth I'm what the old
Sachem said
When the Christian merchant sells the
garment OF cotton and wool. OF with a
flaw I'm the weave, and shows the custom
or Just what II IL: when the Christian
stops drlnkin liquor that intoxicates:
when the Christian r. long sufferin' and
kind; when he is willing 10 tell the truth
at all times; when he is sensible and pl-
Gus enough 90 stop tnlkin' about his
neighbor TO his injury; when he stops
sellIn' wind-falls for hand picked apples:
when he can borrow n rake and not forgit
70 bring 10 back: when he can see his
neighbor aprosperin and not git envious;
when he can look kindly enough upon n
Democrat 20 credit him with n soul: when
he's willin' TO take mortgage at four
per cent on poor mans home and feel
satisfied. when the banks are paying only
three when he's willin' 10 pay hts work
mon living wages while he's asittin' rich;
when he recognizes that n horse has got
feelin'i when he can trade horses and
point 10 the SPAWN and. when he can do