Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-26

bread, and steaks, increased my strength so much,
that was able TO mount my mustang had still
pains in all my limbs, but rode slowly the
morning was bright, the air fresh and elastic, and
through the prairie, the river lringed with wood
on the one hand, the vast ocean ofgrass sprinkled
with innumerable islands Of trees on the other
We saw abundance Of game, which sprang up
under the very feet of our horses but altho' Bob
had his rife, he made no use Of IT, He muttered
continually to himself, and seemed to be arranging
what he should say to the Judge for heard him
talking OF things which would Just as soon moi
have listened to, il could have helped it, | was
heartily glad when we at length reached the planta.
ton fthe Alcalde.
II seemed very considerable one and the size
and appearance Of the framework house, bespoke
comfort and every luxury. The building was sur.
rounded with a group Of China trees, which |
should have thought about ten years of age but
which afterwards learned had not been planted
half that time, although they were already large
enough to afford very agreeable shade. Right
in front of the house rose a live oak, inferior in
size 10 the one in the PRAIRIE but still of immense
age aud great beauty To the LEFT were some
two hundred acres Of cotton fields, extending to
the bank ofthe Jacinto, which at this spot made
sharp turn, aud winding round the plantation
incosed it on three sides. Before the house Law
the prairie, with its archipelago of islands, and
herds OF grazing cattle and mustangs to the right
more cotton fields and in rear of the dwelling,
negro cottages, and out buildings. There was a
Sabbath like stiffness peryadng the whole scene,
which seemed to strike even Bob He paused as
If in deep thought, and allowed his hand to rest
moment on the handle Of the lattice door. Then
witha sudden aud resoue Jerk, bespeaking an
equally sudden resolution he pushed open the gate,
and we entered garden planted with orange ba-
nana, and ctron trees, the path ofwhich was incos.
ed between palisades, and led to a sort of front
court with another lattice work door, beside which
hung bell. Upon ringing this negro appeared
The black seemed TO know Bob very WELL
for he nodded 10 him as to an old acquaintance,
and said the squire wanted him, and had asked
after him several times He then led the way to a
large parlor, very handsomely furnished for Texas,
and IN which we found the squire, or more proper
ly speaking the AlcaIde, sitting, smoking his cigar
He had just breakiasted, and the plates. and dishes
were still on the table. lie did not appear TO be
much given TO compliments ceremony or par.
take at all of the Yankee failing of curiosity for
he answered our salutaton with laconic good
morning. and scarcely even looked at u.s. At
the very first glance il was easy to that he came
either from tennessee or Virginia, the only proyn-
ces in which one finds men Of his gigantic mould
Even sitting, his head rose above those of the me-
gro servants in waiting. Nor was his height alone
remarkable he had the true west Virgnian build;
the enormous chest and shoulders, aud hercuean
limbs. the massive features and sharp grey eyes
altogether an exterior well calculated TO impose on
the rough backwoodsman with whom he had to
deal
was tired with my ride, and took chair
The squire did not apparently deem me worthy
OF notice or else he reserved me for later scrutiny
but he liked long, searching look upon Bob who
renamed standing, with his head sunk on his
breast.
The Judge at last broke silence
SO here you are again, Bob. It's long since
we have seen yon, and | thought you had clean
forgotten Well Bob, we shouldn't have broke
our hearts, | reckon; for | hate gambIers-ay
that do-worse that skunks. It's vile thing is
play, aud has ruined many men in this world
and the next. It's ruined you too, Bob
Bob said nothing.
You'd have been mighty useful here last week;
there was plenty for you to do My sep-daughier
arrived. but as you were not to be found, we had
10 send to Joel to shoot US buck and couple
dozen snipes. All, Bob one might still make
good citizen Of you, you'd only leave of that ours
ed pl1yp
Bob still remained silent.
Now go into the kitchen and get some break
fast
Bob neither answered nor moved
Dye hear! Go into the kitchen and get some.
thing To eat. And, Ptoy'-added he to the negro
tell Veny to give him pint Of rum
DON'T want yer rum-ant thrsty'-growled
Bob.
Very like very like said the Judge sharply
Reckon You've taken too much already. Look as
ifyou cOuld swallow a wild cat claws and all. And
yon,' added he, turning to me-'What the deuce are
yon at. Ptoyl Don't you see the man wants his
breakfast Where's the coffee Or would YOU
rather have tear
Thank you, Alcade, | have breakfasted al.