p. 155 | The Missionary

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1890

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 16, No. 10.

The Missionary.

A STREET SCENE IN OKLAHOMA.

A STRANGER came into the city on Saturday, and took a low-priced hotel. To-day—Monday—at noon his inquiries gave the landlord the idea that he was without money. The landlord in a few minutes asked him to pay his bill. The stranger said he could not until he could get something to do. The landlord made out the bill, took it to the city sheriff, who furnished him with the necessary legal authority, and both went to the hotel and presented the bill. The stranger said again he could not pay it. The landlord and sheriff went to the man’s room, took his trunk, and carried it to a street crossing close by—one of the most public places in the city. The sheriff announced that the trunk and contents would be sold at auction to pay a board bill. A hammer soon smashed the lock. The stranger pleaded that the trunk and contents be sold together to some one person, that he might have a chance to redeem it if he could. The sheriff answered that it would not bring enough if sold in that way, as there were costs to be covered. Article after article was brought out, held up, spread out, and knocked off for almost nothing, much to the fun of the crowd.

Among other things the sheriff brought out a book. It was morocco bound, and had a clasp. He held it up and opened it. It was a Bible. The noisy crowd became quiet; the Bible was knocked off in silence to the first bidder for twenty-five cents. One or two articles more were sold, when someone spoke out, “That man ought to have his Bible,” and added, “I’ll give ten cents to buy it back for him.” Another said, “I’ll give five.” Immediately twenty-five cents were paid in. The man who had bid off the Bible gave it back. Someone else called out, “A man that carries a Bible in his trunk is not the man that doesn’t pay his board bill!” Another asked, “How much is that man’s bill?” In three minutes’ time the amount of the bill was chipped in. The articles sold were called for. Everything was brought back, and the money returned. The stranger was given his Bible, his trunk and contents, and his board bill paid.—Rev. Lemuel Jones, in Congregationalist.