Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-07-15
CHAPTER III.
THE LAST ACT OF THE DRAMA.

CHAPTER III.
THE LAST ACT OF THE DRAMA.
A few days after the events related in the
last chapter, as | was passing down street,
met one of the Regulators who said
The packet is just in, and who do you
think | saw on board Of herr
'How do know-who was it!'
'Why. old Waterson Of Wabash memory
| Indeed! What is he doing therep
| 'He has enlisted for Mexico, and with
| fourteen others is on his way to join Capt
Lewis company at Fort Wayne.
Let us go down and see him.
We walked down and sure enough there
was Waterson, as usual about two thirds
drunk, seated on a trunk on the deck, with
his head resting on his hands stupid. calous
his countenance bioated and altogether so
depraved looking object that the eye rested
on him with pain. A short distance from
him was standing an individual, in q blouse
with sucn rroiusion of hair on his face that
it was almost impossible TO distinguish his
| features. This person, as I have since lear.
ned. was James Morris. He TOO had enlis-
ted. True to his VOW TO the last, he follow
ed Waterson whenever he went. then
knew nothing Of this history, and knew Wa
terson, only as the Wabashed' which was
the only motive for my curiosity.
The company proceeded to Mexico after
numerous delays, and here we lose sight of
Waterson for some time, although it was
said he was the general victim of all the
practical joking practised by the soldiery.-
None seemed to take so much pleasure in
tormenting and causing him pain and dis
comfort, as the young man in the bouse.--
a flor n finaa tal TO-
pany, and he was exchanged into a company
of artillery. Still ne did not escape, for
James followed him.
One night, while the company to which
he then belonged were on the road from Ve-
ra Cruz to the City of Mexico, they were
kept in continual state of alarm and appre-
hension by party Of gderrillas, who threat
ened to attack the train under their proteo-
ton. They slept upon their arms, and a
strict guard was kept. Waterson was one
of the guards that night, and when the OFF,
Ger came to relieve him he was gone. No
trace of him could be found and it was sup
posed that he had been either murdered or
captured by the guerrillas. No bitter tears
were shed, for he was universally disliked
by the members of the company.
Next day the train was attacked by the
band of fgueras who had threatened them
the day previously. Sweeping down from
neighboring height, they surrounded three
ofthe wagons, and according to their usual
custom, attempted to drive them off to the
hills; but after sharp skirmish they were
repulsed and fled faster than they came, leav-
ing nine of their number upon the field.
Halle cried one of the company, who was
examining the dead, 'here's one old fellow as
amt dead yet,
Turn him over so that he can get air.
said the captain, perhaps he may recover
The man did as he was ordered, and sud
denly started back. exclaiming-
'Cuss me if it amt that old scoundrel WA
terson!'
Sure enough, instead of having been mur
dered, Waterson had deserted and joined
the guerrillas, and now he had received his
reward. AS he lay upon tho ground, grasp
ing for breath, tho lfe-blood oozing from a
wound in his breast, James came and knelt
down by his side, and whispered to him in a
low, menacing tone-'Remember EmeiineP y
Then, and not till then, did Waterson recog-
nize his fiend tormentor. He died, as he
had lived, a curse to himself and to his race,
with an oath upon his lips.
James had fulfilled the VOW which he made
upon the grave of that murdered angel and
her heart broken mother, and after Water
sons death he was a changed man. He re-
mained in Mexico, after the troops were re-
called, and is now living in the city, beloved
and respected by all who know him.