Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-01-30
From the Mercury
A TEXAN HERO.

Many Of eur readers no doubt recolIect
the facetious comedian Jim Wills, who
played in this city some years ago. He
was aqueer compound Of human nature
"a man who could with ease make 9th
ers laugh but seldom ever laughed him.
self-a melancholy man through life,
caused him to ''shuffle off this mortal
coil" ere half his race was run.
About the time the Texas excite ment
ran SO high in The United States, Jim
Wills in Pittsburgh, in that situation so
common to play actors, viz: ''Aat broke !"
Standing one day on the wharf, with his
serious Visage expanded, planning how
he should get down the river without mon.
ey, when he heard drum and fife. On
hooking around he saw company ofreck.
less looking, half uniformed soldiers,
Sbout embarking for New Orleans. bear
ing Texan banner. A thought struck
him. Next day he sent his trunks on
board the first boat to start, and Just as
the Captain was tapping the bell for the
last time, Wills stepped on board, and
dragged his trunks into an unOccupied |
state room, and took from his theatrical
wardrobe soldiers coat, with a buff
breast and three rows Of buttons, chap
eau with an immense plume,a a red sash,
a pair Ofmlitary trowsers, a grizzly black
wig, and pair Of false whiskas. By
the time The boat had got fairly under
way, Jim was fully equipped with his
stage sword gracefully hanging bv his
'ide. Drawing his white gloves, he hes. ,
lated moment, but relying on his PEE ,
;uliar powers, he opened the door, gave =,
The usual military stoop, and walked into =
he cabin, which was filled with passen- :
gers In momsnt all eyes were dirsc :
ed toward him, bat he walked up TO the
'ar ard drank glass Of brandy and wa
er. In the meantime all was bus,le and :
,onfusion to find out who the officer T
vas. A general rush was made for The \
egister, but he had not yet put down his
lame-the Captain was consulted but
le knew nothing. Al length, however,
eeling little curiosity himself, he walk. =,
d up 10 jim, and bowing politely to him .
aid, SIR
'sir to you,' said Wills, touching his =
hapeau a la militdirc.
'Will you do me the favor to register I,
our name, so that | can provide state
Dom for your
'Oh, with pleasure, said Jim, and walk
lg up 10 the register he fourished in
Dund text.
&C. P. EDWARDS, Major. Texas AR $
n.y.
The crowd passed around the table
hey read the name-uniVersal enthusi.
SIN prevailed, and three tremendous Y
hoers were given for Texas and Liber.
y! :
Jim took off his chapeau, acknowledged
he compliment with a graceful bow, and
few patriotic remarks.
II is almost needless to say that from .
bis moment the soi-disant Major was =.
ion. Every one sought to make his ac-
uaintance-the ladies' opened the cabin :"
OOr 10 get peep at him--he was placed
/ the head of the table-and at night f,
10 was made as drunk as Bacchus on IN
in
Next day he was promenading the IIur-
icane deck, linked arm in arm, with the
Captain. aud a warm hearted southerner, pi
Who resided in Vicksburgh. p!
Major, said the sOutherner, 4 know nj
,ery we'll that you have been on mis- Gu
on to collect arms, ammunition and re.
on that subject you must OF
course be mum, in consequence Of the of
rea,v between Mexico and the United Q
jta,cs. For my part, could see every M
d copper cOlored rascal hung, Of
ke dogs on treesH
Whatever my business may have been o.
find that have exhausted all my mean G.
the cause; in fact fear that shall ou
OF he able to pay my passage until get ia
New Orleans.' tn
.Don't mention it, said the Captain, 81
,uId not think Of taking anything Of o.
1u.' ch
Il have il, said the sOuthernsr, ,'coms q
;th VoOlS h1