The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-09-09

dll dlu AltuOlllllltt ulu HOl kllOW
how to preach good. On this sub
ject Abraham replied to them
that my business was preaching.
teaching school and instructing
the Indians in mechanical trades
and in agriculture; that Menom-
inee being preacher also knew
by experience that preachers re-
ceived but little pay and had but
little to give away. | then inform
ed them that | desired to address
them solely on the subject OF re-
ligion and wished the women al
so to hear. They were called but
were ashamed to come into the
house, it not being customary for
women to mingle with men
when in a council from which
they could not distinguish this
assembly. The females generally
seated themselves outside OF the
house but near enough to hear.
All listened attentively 20 the
discourse, and then retired about
half an hour, which time the
principal men employed in pri-
vate conversation. When we re-
assembled they made the follow
ing reply:
Our Father: We are glad to
see you and have you among us.
We are convinced that you come
amongst us from motives of char
ity. We believe that you know
what to tell us, and that you tell
lis the truth. We are glad to
hear that you are coming
amongst lis TO live near us, and
when you shall have arrived we
will visit your house often and
hear you speak of these good
things"
The bowl of hominy was then
passed around the company
again; all smoked. shook hands,
and parted in friendship. On
leaving some OF them gave their
blessing. The benediction of one
was as follows:
May the Great Spirit preserve
your energy and health and con-
duct you safely to your family,
give success TO your labors, and
bring you back to us again"
Mr.. Mccoy remained two
days. During the time he said
'Menominee delivered to his peo-
pie a lecture. He had no cere-
mony but commenced without
even rising to his feet and spoke
with much energy"
Menominee Had Two Wives.
Mr.. Mccoy continues: "a lit
tie after dark the company dis
persed and all shook hands with
me as they had done at meeting.
When we were alone Menominee
informed me that he had two
wives. Some had said if | had
knowledge of this circumstance
] would push him aawy from
me-" 81 tell you" said he, that
you may know it. 1t is a COM
mon custom among our people
and often the younger sister oi
the wife claims it as a privilege
to become a second wife that she
may have some one to provide
meat for her. This is the case in
regard TO my two wives who are
sisters. did not know it was
wrong to take second wife; bul
il you say it is wrong | will put
one OF them away" This
thought like cutting off a hand OF
pulling out an eye, because il
offended and | therefore said
must think before l speak in re-
gard to it."
| "Menominee at one time show
ed me square stick on which
he had made a mark for every
sermon he had preached. | then
showed him in my journal the
list of texts from which | hat
preached at different times SHOW
ing at the same time that what
had preached at different time:
had been taken from such and
such places in our good book. HI
Immediately began counting hi.
marks and mine in order to &C.
certain which of us had preachet
most frequently during the cours,
OF the year. Finding consider
able difference in my favor ht
pleaded his inferiority. He mus
now see all my books and pa
pers, hear me read notwithstand
ing he could not understand :
word ! attempted to write in my
| journal, but he kept SO close te
me that | had TO defer it. | retir
ed into the bush to make some
hasty notes with my pencil bu
he followed and in a few minute:
was soon gazing at me.
The weather being excessive
| ly hot and we being obliged t.
use water taken from a filth;
pond, the flies exceedingly sever
TO our horses, and our situation
IN every respect being very TN
pleasant and unwholesome Abra
ham, who was already sick in
sisted on our leaving. He said
1--WE stay here, I'm sure we die
our horses die too. Me no wan
to die here. Menominee callet
together all his people OF whom
took an affectionate leave afte
promising them that, if practi
cable. ] would visit them agar
when the leaves began to fall
Menominee walked with us hal
| 4