The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-02-14

'At any rute,Well hear what the nelghDOrS
say,' added the Judge.
Bob stepped up to the Judge, and held out
his hand 10 bid him farewell The other did
not take il, and turning to me said-y0u had
better stop here think
Bob turned round impetuously.
The gentleman must come with me-
why must he" said the Judge.
ASK HIMSELF
again explained the obligations was UNI
der to Bob; how we had fallen in with one
another; and what care and attention he had
shown me ut Johnny's.
The judge nodded approvingly, Never
theless,' said he, you will remain here and
Bob will go alone. You are in n state OF mind
Bob, in which man is better alone,d'ye see;
and so leave the young man here. Another
misfortune might happen; and, at any rate,
he's better here than at Johnnys. Come
back tomorrow, and Wen see what can be
done for you"
These words were spoken in n decided
manner, which seemed to have its effect up
on Bob. He nodded assentingy and left the
room. remained staring at the Judge, and
lost in wonder AT these strange proceedings.
When Bob was gone, the Alcalde gave n
blast on n shell, which supplied the place Of II
bell. Then Selling the cigar box, he tried
one cigar after another, broke them peevsh-
! " up, and threw the pieces out of the win
dowThc negro whom the shell had summon
ed, stood for some time waiting, while his
muster broke up the cigars, and threw them
away. AT last the judges patience seemed
quite TO leave him.
1Iarll We Ptoly:' growled he TO the fright
encd black, the next time you bring me CT
! CARS that neither draw nor smoke, I'll make
your back smoke for il. Mind that, now;--
! there's not Il single one ofthcm worth n rot
ten maize stalk. Tell that old coffee -colorcd
hag of Jolnny's, that ri have no more Of her
cigars. Ride over to Mr. Ducic's and fetch
box. And, dye hear? Tell him ] want TO
speak n word with him and the neighbors.-
Ask him 10 bring the nciglhOrS with him TO-
morrow morning. And mind you are home
again by two o'clock. Take the mustang we
caught last week. want TO see how he
goes
| The negro listened TO these various com
mands with open mouth and staring cyes,thcn
giving perplcXed look AT his master shot ont
Of the room.
where away Ptoly?' shouted the Alcalde
after him.
TO Massa Ducie.'
Without a pass Ptoly: And what are you
going to say TO Mr. Ducie"
Him uebber send bad cigar ugin, him cot-
fce-cullud bag Massa speak to Johnny and
neighhors. Johnny bring ncighHors here
Il thought as much snd tue Iudg with
perfect equanimity. wait Il minutc;l'll write
the pass and II couple of lines for Mr. Ducie.'
This was soon done, and the negro dis
patched on his GRAND. The judge waited till
he heard the sound ofhis horses feet gallop-
ing away, and them laying hold of the box of
dcspsed cigars, lit the first which came 10
hand. 1t smoked capitaly, as did also one |
took. They were Principles, and ms good as
ever tasted.
Ipassed the whole of that day tete-d-iete
with the Judge, who, soon found, knew Varl-
Gus friends ofmine in the States. | told him
the circumstances under which had come
to Texas, and the intention | had of settling
there, should find the country TO my liking.
During our long conversation, was able TO
form a very different. and much more iRVora-
BILE estimate ofhis character, than had done
from his interview with Bob. He was the
very man to be useful to a new country; OF
great energy, sound Judgment, enlarged and
liberal views. lie gave Inc some curious in
formation as to the state of things in Texas;
and did not think it necessary 10 conceal from
me- as an American, and one who intended
settling in this country, that there was plan
in agitation for throwing oil the Mexican
woke, and declaring Texas an independent
republic. The high-spirited, and for the
ted States, who formed IL very large majority
of the population of Texas, saw themselves,
with no very patient feeling, under the rule
of people both morally and physically infe-
rior to themselves They looked with con-
tempt, and Justly so, on the bigotcd idle, and
ignorant MeXicans, while the difference of
religion, and interference ofthe priests, serv-
ed to increase the dislike between the Span
ish and Anglo-American races.
Although the project was yet not quite ripe
for execution, it was discussed freely and o.
penly by the American settlers 1T is the in
terest of every man to keep IT secret SAID the
Judge; 'and there can be nothing 10 mduce
even the worst among us to betray cause,by
the success ofwhich he is sure TO profit
We have many bad characters in Texas, the
offscourings of the United States, men like
Bob. or far worse than him; but debauched,
gambling drunken villains though they he,
thew are the men we want when 1t comes 10
STRUGGLED and when that time arrives, thcy
will all be found ready to put their shoulders
to the wheel, use knife and rifle, and shed tile
last drop ofther blood in defence OF their
fellow-citizens, and of the new and lndepen-
dent republic of Texas. AT this moment,we
must wink at many things which would be
severity punished i'll an older and more set
fled country: each mans arm is of immense
value to the State: for on the day of bnttle,we
shall have, not two TO one, but twenty 10 one
opposed to u.s. H.,
Twas awakened the following morning by
tbe sound of a horses feet; and looking out OF
the window. saw Bob dismounting from his
mustang. The lasttweIty-four hours had
told fearfully upon him. His limbs seemed
nowerless. and he reeled and staggered IN
such a manner, that at first thought HIM IN
toxicated But such was not the case. lis
was the deadly WEAKNESS caused by mental
| .S.,t;-I, NJ lool,ad like one mst taken off the