Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-10-08
From the Cincinnati Sunday Mercury.
A TEXAN HERO.
By U. J. Jones.

| VINO mas not nearu OF jim VIII, the &C.
centric and facetious comedian? He was
queer compound of human na,ure-a
man who could with ease make Others
laugh. but seldom laughed himsef--a
melancholy man through life. which caus-
ed him to "shuffle off this mortal COLL"
ere half his race was run.
About the time the Texas excitement
ran so high in the United States, Jim
Wills was in Pittsburgh, in that situation
so common to play. actors who visit the
smoky city, viz: "ffat broke" He stood
one day on the wharf with his serious
visage expanded, planning how he should
get down the river without money, when
he was suddenly awakened from his rev.
erie by the spirit stirring drum and ear
piercing ffe.' On looking around he saw
a company Of reckless looking, half uni
formed soldiers, bearing Texan banner
and followed by ,hrong of enthusiastic
clizens, loafers, boys, and negroes, whose
patriotic zeal for the young republic caus-
ed them to 'huzzav until the very hills
sent back the echo. thought struck
Wills and for moment smile litup his
troubled coun,enance.
Next day he sent his trunk on board
the first boa, TO start, and loltered about
the landing until the steam was fairly up,
and the captain was tapping The last bell,
when, taking advantage of the hustle and
confusion incident to such occasions, he
slipped on board, dragged his trunk into
the first unoccupied state room, and lock-
ed the door after him. He then opened
his trunk. and took from his theatrical
wardrobe soldier coat. with buff breast
and three rows of buttons, chapeau with
an immense plume. red sash. pair of
military pan,aloons, a grizzly black wig,
and pair of false whiskers. By the
time the boat was fairly under way. Jim
was fully armed and equipped with his
stage sword dangling at his side. Draw
ing on his white gloves, he hesilaled a
moment. bu, relying on his peculiar pow
ers. he opened the door, gave the usual
military s,oop, and walked into the cabin,
which was filled with passengers. In a
moment all eyes were turned upon him,
bu. he did not be,ray the slightest embar-
rassmen.; with the same ease and grace
that he was wont to tread the boards of a
theatre he walked through the crowded
cabin to the social hail. called for and
tossed off in the most graceful manner a
glass of brandy and water, then. after re-
guessing the bar keeper TO mind it,. he
returned to the cabin, seated himself al
The table, drew sheet of paper from his
pocket. and was soon bnsiy engaged in
drawing imaginary diagrams. In the mean
time all was hustle and commotion to find
out who the officer was. general rush
was made for the register, but he had no
yet put down his name--the captain was
consulted, but he knew nothing about him
At length. however. feeling little curos
iy himself, he walked up to jim, ant
bowling politely TO him. said,
Sir
> Sir to YOU said Wills rising from hi,
seat, and touching his chapeau la mill
taire.
will you do me the favor to regisle
your name, so that can provide stat,
s. room for your
'Oh, with pleasure said Jim, and up
. on the register. in large round text h,
forthwith hourished.
&C. P. EDWARDS, Major Texas Army.
The crowd pressed around the table
they read the name--unlversal enthusl
e. asm prevailed, and three ,remendou
cheers were given for Texas and liberty
Jim took off his chapeau, acknowledg
: ed the compliment by gracious bow, an
made few patriotic remarks.
l, is almost needless to say that fror
that moment the sol distant Major was
> lion. Every one sought to make his az
quaintance-,he ladies opened the cabi
door to get peep at him--he was place
at the head of the table--and at night
was made as drunk as Bacchus on chan
palgne.
+. Next day he was promenading the dec
linked arm in arm with the captain, an
a warm hearted Sou,herner who reside
in Vicksburgh.
Major said the Southerner. Il kno
NJ very well that You have been on a m
sion TO collect arms, ammunition aud RI
cruits- saw them embark at Piusburg
Ms yesterday-but in consequence Of the e,
listing treaty between Mexico aud the [
nited States, we must remain mum; ne
q ertheless, cannot but say that for m
part shonld like TO see the copper CO
ored rascals strung up like onions-fif
: to rope
This was the critical moment f
+. which Jim had been looking. .Whatev
er my business may have been. find tn
nd have entirely exhausted my means.
fact shall have to throw myself on Il
+. kind indulgence of my friend the capital
- until we reach New Orleans
sDon't mention it, said the captain,
> shall no. charge you the first cent
er, Il have it,, said the Southerner. 'con
with me-
= The trio adjourned to the clerks off
y where stirring appeal for aid TO Tex
q was written. The Southern gentlem
carried it among the passengers, and C,
= lected $50, which was handed over
Wills. AT night grand supper was gi
en-, at which speeches were made al
:. toasts were drank. The cabin was de
On, Grated with the star spangled banner, e
twined with the flag of the lone star, ma
ufactured nv the ladies' out Of soma