The Arkansas advocate., 1833-12-11
This ods fh5 eoblcst Roman of Hem aa.
TALES OF CHARACTER X COUNTRY.
 NO. III.
Written for the Advocate.
 Y'sae GacEaupfEl.

For the truth of the following tale, on- ly voueh thus far. It was related to me by q very excellent and worthy friend, whose word never saw cause to doubt. Such as he told it to me, do give Il to my read- CTS. relate it in the first person, and in his oWn words.
 ''Just after the execution of iturbide, and the establishment of the Republic, was in the village at the Pass of the Del Norte.-- Just at this tirne,' (thls was in 1851, ''it Is amusing to observe the respect paid the memory of that weak Emperor, compared with the abuse which was then lavished on hun. He is now eulogised as q patriot he was then stlgmahsed as tyrant, and so iisc i'v;;;5-b;it stici tyfaiit as belts tlis people. They have no such thing in their heart as repabfoanism; and not the Peo- ple@s love of liberty, but the revenge of sant Ana, tuinbled Itubide from his throne. But never mind him. l had travelled thro' the villages of the Rio Abajo, and the dreary Jornada de ia Muerte, and was at length safely lodged at the posada of mine host, Don Vicente ,Iaramilo. Just then, all American was in good odor-they had not quite forgotten our seryices-and l was well treated, well fed, and had free access to every vineyard and wine-ceilar on the banks of the Del Norte.
 l walked oat one evening, far down inc river, and delayed a good while, pluclSing the ripe grapes and peaches, and chatting with the pretty and lively paisanas, who were wandering about in the moonlight.- Some of them even looked beautiful, in their quaint, old Spanish attire, with the thin shawls which covered their heads, tos- sed back from their foreheads, and floating out behind. It was near midnight, when I got back to the village; but had no fear, for was well armed, and accompanied by my faithful dog Tigre, who, you know, IS match for any Mexican.
 As was walking leisurely along, under a portico, which extended the whole length of the street, was surprised at singular grating noise, seemingly on the other side of the street. stopped and listened, but was for time uncertain whence 1t proceed ed. ii length cast my eyes upward, and upon the roof of one of the opposite build ings, saw fellow, engaged in removing the rubbish from the rafters, thus making a hole, thro' which to descend into the house. l hesitated-should cry out, he would es- cape. placed myself at the door, and awaited my hero, with good cudgel III my hand. In about half an hour, the door open ed softly, and he came out, with his arms full of silver plate; and at the moment his head appeared, lent him blow upon 1t, which laid him across the threshold. The plate fell rattline on the ground. and hait a dozen servants awoke at the noise and came bustling out. Upon seeing me, there was tumult of fierce cries. 'Que hal Maldito que sea SUI corazon!-Al suelo con ei Americanop <'EVhat 's the matferl- Cursed De hss hea,fi-Io the ground ac'tt tbe .americanr) Sticks were brandlshed, and knives giittered. Nevertheless, 1 stood my ground, and Tigre growled and showed his teeth. In the midst of the clamor, stern voice ordered silence. It was ther master. .sWhatla the matter2n said he.
 ssThe matter is," 1 answered, "that your sleepy servants have let thieves enter your house. Mend the hole in your rooi-plck uD your plate-and thank God, that you can yet eat out of silver, like your ancestors.
 "But how?n said he, 'spray explain J
 "With all my heart. l saw this fellow