The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-08-21
From the Western Continent,
Too Good Looking for Service.

OF fellers tother even,n about the war,
and how he fit at Monterey. sThun-
der?' ses he "you may talk about your
earthquakes and sich, but | con tell
you what boys, one real genewine
scrimmage like we had at Monterey, is
worth ali the fourth Of Julys that ever
was, nocked into one. There aint
nothin in creation like it. Gettin tite
on brandy smashes makesa man feel
pretty considerably elevated for while
Its very inspiring to man OF ac.
tive imagination. But if you want to
feel taller than a shot-tower, bigger
than elefant, and stronger than jack
If you want TO feel like you could
pull up tree by the roots and sweep
all creation into kingdum cum with the
brushy ecnd--if you want to see fur
ther, hear better, and holler louder,
jump higher, and step further and quick
er than you ever did in your liie-all
you've got to do is jest to take hand
with old ZAcK at them internal Mexi
cans, and be ordered up to the pints
Of ther lances and bayonets like we
was at Monterey"
"Did you feel skeer'd, Bob?'
"Skeer'd the thunder" ses he. 81
didn't have no time to feel skeer'd.-
To be sure felt little skittish when
| seed we was gwine to have il sure
enuf. Perhaps did feel little weak
in the jints when | seed the officers un-
buttoning thcr shirt collors, and the
men THROWN away their canteens and
haversacks, as they was marchin up to
the works, whar the greasers was wait
tin for us, every devil with his gun pin
ted and his finger on the trigger
knew'd they was gwne to let us have
it, and felt monstrous uneasy till it cum
when heard the balls whistle round
my head and seed the dust fly from the
pavement whar they struck--when the
whole street was in blaze Of fire, and
the men was drappin round me like
min pines after ten strike.-when the
roarin OF the cannons, the rattlin of the
muskets, the squelin of horses, and the
shouts and groans Of the men was all
mixed up so | couldn't tell one from
tother. | never thott of nothing but
gettin at the cusses what was hid away
behind the walls and piles of rubbish,
in the houses, on the roofs, and in the
cellars given US partickeler goss,"
"You didn't feel fraid none thenp ax'd
a little feler what hadn't shut his mouth
or tuck his eyes off the speaker for ten
minits.
"Fraid, the mischief! How could |!
wasn't old Zack thar, on his old mill
boss, prancin round 'meng the plat
toons and collums, given his orders like
nothing was the matter? All, boys,
game like his ketchn jest like the mca-
sells, and one look from old Zack, when
he'd got his dander up, would make a
woman fight like wild cat. He's the
man to fight volunteers. Theirs no
need of standin army when he's in
command, for he'd make the greenest
volunteers that ever shouldered mus
ket stand agin the whole Mexican ma
ton, led on by all the ginerals they can
muster. The boys knows he dom, nev-
er surrender, and they don't never
think of sich thing themselves"
"Wasn't you .monstrous glad when
yer time was out, Bob so you could
cum homer'
"Not by no means, l wasn't. I'd
staid till yit, if it hadn't been for old
Scott"
"Why, don't you like Scott?"
"To be sure do--he's fust rate
old teller, and knows how to lick the
Mexicans too. But didn't suit him."
"What was that?'
"Why, you see the general'sgot pref
ty we'll into the heart of the country
now--rite in among the wimmin and
he scs he don't want to enlist any more
good looking men, He ses he aint a.
fraid of all the he Mexicans that can
bear arms, because he knows his men
wont surrender to them, but he ses he
don't like to risk 'em to the arms of the
Mexican gals, who never fails to lay
siege to the heart of every good lookin
volunteer they git thar eyes on. And,
boys, Mexican bullets & lances is hard
things to dodge, but look out for the
black eyes of them Senoretas as they
call 'em- you mought as well try to bid
defiance to a streak of lightnin, if you
happen to be good lookin enuff to draw
ther attention."
$50, then, it was your good looks
prevented you from staying in Mexi-
corr
"To be sure il was. They wouldn't
give no bounty 10 good lookin men, so
cum home."