Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-03
A TEXAN HERO.

MANY OF our readers no doubt recOlIeC
the faceious comedian Jim Wills, who play
q" IN this city SOME years ago. He was
queer compound of human nature-a maj
who could with ease make others laugh bn
seldom ever laughed himsell-a melanchol,
man through life, caused him to shuttle OF
this mortal coil ere half his race was run.
About the time the Texas excitement raj
so high in the United States, Jim Wills wa
IN Pittsburgh, in that situation so common tt
play actors, viz: fiat broke Standing on,
day on the wharf, with his serious visage ex.
pa"ded, planning how he should get down til,
river without money, when he heard drum
and fife. On looking around he saw com.
pany OF reckless looking, half uniformed sol.
diers, about embarking for New Orleans
bearing Texan banner. A thought struck
MN. Next day he sent his trunks on board
the first steamboat to start, and just as the
captain was tapping The bell for the last time
wills stepped on board, and dragged hi.
trunks INTO an unoccupied state room and
took from his theatrical wardrobe soldier.
coat with buff breast and three rows of but.
tons, chapeau with an immense plume, d
red sash, pair of military trowsers, a griz.
zly black wig and IA pair of false whiskers.-
By the time the boat was fairly under way
Jim was fully equipped with his stage sword
gracefully hanging by his side. Drawing his
white gloves, he hrsitated moment, but re-
lying on his peculiar powers, he opened the
door, gave the usual military stoop, and
walked into the cabin which was filled with
passengers. In moment all eyes were d.
rcctcd toward him, but he walked mp to the
bar and drank glass of brandy and water.
In the meantime all WIS hustle and conf
sion to find out who the officer was. A gen.
rral rush was made for the register. hut he
had not yet put down hls name-,he Captain
was consulted but he knew nothing. At
length, however feeling lille curiosity him.
self, he walked up to Jim, and bowed polite.
y to him SAID Sir.
Sir t" yon said Wills, touching his cha
pcau la militiaire.
Will you do me the favor to register your
name, so that can provide state room for
you.'
ooh, with pleasure said Jim, and walk
Ing up to the register he fnurished in round
text, &C. p. EDWARDS, Major, Texas
Army
The crowd passed round the table-,hcy
read the name-universal enthusiasm pre-.
vailed, and three tremendous cheers were
given for Texas and liberty.
jim took off his chapeau, acknowle lodged
ne compliment with d graceful bow, and IA
lew patriotic remarks.
1t is almost needless to say that from this
moment the sol disant Ma jor was lion.-
Every one sought to make mis- acquaintance
tile ladies' opened the cabin door to get a
peep at hI'n-hr was placed at the head of
a"lc-and at night he was made as drunk as
barrhns on champagne.
Next day he was promenading the hurri.
'ane deck, linked arm in arm with the cap
am and warm hearted sou,herner who re-
sided in Virksburg.
Major said the southerncr, Il know We
y well that you have been on a mission to
collect arms, ammunition and recruits-but
IN '''at subject you must Of course be mum,
n consequence of the treaty between Mcxi.
70 and the United States. For nv part, I
'"nld see every Id copper colorcd ras-
:al hung like dogs on trees!'
Whatever my business may have been
ind that have exhausted all my means in
he cause, in fact fear that shall not be-
me to pay my passage until get to New
)rleans.'
Don't mention it, said the Captain, i
o"ld no. think of taking anything of yon.'
| have it, said the soulherner. .con,
With me-
The trio adjourned to the clerks Office,
where stirring appeal for aid to Texas was
written. The southern gentleman carried il
mon@ the passengers and collected $50 dol.
,rs, which were handed over to Wills. A,
light grand supper was given AZ which
peecheS were made and toasrs were drank.
he cabin was decorated with the star spang.
ID banner entwIned with the flag of the lone
TAR manufactured by the ladies for the occa.
ion.
About IL o'clock the company commenced
nglng songs, and al length the Major was
allied upon to favor the company with a
ing. lie complied by favoring the compa-
with his famous song of Billy Barlow
Brave y said one.
Excellent J! said another.
'Capilal ! said third.
could do It "A ID sight BETTER said |
i'm who was fast verging into the fourth !
age ofacIion, if had the proper fops on
After giving three faint huzzas for Texas
e party broke up.
Next morning the clerk wen, INTO Wills {
ate room to call him to breakfast. Imac-
o his surprise when he discovered that the
aior had actually turned in all standing S
ilh bo'Is, clapean and sword on, the fee, '
ugly laid on the pillow. Tie was a Texas j
aior, and Of course no fault was found. 4
Thus things ran on, and Wills reached N.
rIeans in triumph. There he dof1ed his Il
'iorm, and returned to Vicksburg where v
got AN engagement. He became a erea, h
Vori'e-and when he was at the zenith of
! glory, the old gentleman whom no mel e
the boat, went to the theatre. Between
2 pieces Wills sang Billy Barow-lhe old n
low was bewildered-ihe afterpiece came 81
and Wills appeared in the identical suit 1t
which he had enacted the Texas Major. y
After the theatre let out, the old fellow a.
ight an interview with Jim. 81