Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-08-12


agc,when father thought he needed nv ASST
iance on the farm. Father never bore n
: much love, and from my infancy was cru
and tyranical towards me, perhaps more 50
because | was the favorite Of the rest of N
family. In the fall of "a he took me hom
to work with him. Twas very large for IN
age, strong aud robust. II was in Januar,
one very cold day, we were drawing rails
build ience. when had my mittens OF
and as'I was lifting one end of rail, il sir
ped out of my hands and fell. My fathe
made ME take my mit,ens of and handle tn
rails in the cold and snow with ms bar
hands. | worked so until night snfferin
severely. Afler supper, he went TO one O
the neighbors on some business; when toll
nv mother wanted some money and m,
clothes, as was going to leave home. Sh,
tiied TO induce me 10 stay; but il was no use
So she gave me twelve dollars, aud packed
my clothes in carpei bag, and with her en-
treaty for me to be good boy, / started.
took with me large iavorite hound, my ri
file aud hunting knife. That nightI stopped
al my grandfather's aud the next day started
for the Falls OF st. Anthony.
After tarrying at his uncie's awhile, be
heard oi the commencement cfthe Mexican
war.7 tNH
] Instantly determined to join the army;
made my way as expeditiousI, as possible
10 Monterey, where the army was lying =
As soon as arrived at Monterey, | found
that should not like the strict tactics of a
soldier; so offered my service as a. scout
and spy. When was first taken before Old
Iack, as he was called he asked me what
requirements possessed thar made me wish
TO be Scout; | told him that did not like
the restrictions Of soldier, that l spoke
Spanish, aud that was quite well skilled in
wood craft and warfare generally. Taylor
thought was very young for a scout, but
concluded TO try me so the next day was
sen, out for Sa'tillo, to see what Santa Anna
was doing Whilst at Now OrleansI pro-
cured pair Of false whiskers aud musta-
chios, which | nov found very useful The
Mexican army lay encamped near the city;
some were quartered in the city; and as soon
as | arrived in the height orhood Of the camp,
| determined to GO into the city; go, with
my disguise, and my countenance badly tan
ned from exposure, passed for Spania,6.
entered the city about nine o'clock, and
went into a cafe where there were several
Mexican officers smoking and drinking.
sat down on one side OF the room, called for
a bottle Of wine and segars, picked up
newspaper, and seemed very busy reading the
news. | ionnd from the conversation that
IN tho right place 10 get my news, il |
only got away without being caught. After
n couple Of houis, The most Of them left.
WtbQulno.icing me. In few moments
lie for the wine; not thinking [ nanuet nsa.
a FIVE dollar gold piece, half eagle. The
moment | handed it TO him saw my mis-
lake; but was too late TO ietrace. and the
Did Mexican was a cunning fellow; as soon
rs he saw il he looked al me and said, 'swait
here moment until &C, the change--I
have none in the drawer" He instantly
stepped out, leaving me with a young lady
Who was tending bar, she was quite a hand
'ome girl, OF about seventeen, though OF ra-
her datk complexion. yet her features were |
egular, with graceful form; her hair was
IS black as the iaven's wing, and hung in |
glossy luxuriance around her neck and shoul- |
lers; her eyes were large, black, and very |
fright and expressive. AS soon as the old |
Mexican, who, il seems, was her father, had !
tepped out, she spoke to me in a low, hur-
led voice: "Young man you are in danger; |
ly instantly, Tor in few minutes my father
will be back with the soldiers. and you will
e shot as a spy" thanked her very kind
y for her ad vice, und told her should act
N it., and moved toward the door. Stop"
ays she. "you will be taken if you 60 that
,ay--follow me-" She conducted me
hrough several rooms toto the garden, and
Unlocked the bach gate which opened into a
y y-sireet--''Ados, seuor," she said as she
pened t"c cato. "and may the Holy Virgin
rotect you" took her hand and piessed
gently TO my lips, then took a small dia
nond set ring from my hand. and placed il
q her finger, telling her TO keep il as me-
,ento Of my gratitude until the war was o.
or, when would express my gratitude in
lofe worthy manner. "God only knows
heu that will be-" she replied, shut fly, and
Ike this she presenting me with a silk
cart, which she had over her shoulders"
nd as you look al il, sometimes think Of
'armilila." again pressed her hand to my
ps and hurried away. | h,d jus. got past
lie Mexican camp as day broke; then
rawled into a thick chaparal or cump OF
ushcs, and soon fell asleep. woke about
ic middle Of the afternoon. and went care
lily to the edge Of the bushes to see i'll
,ere wcro any Of The enemy's scouts out, ,
hen To my surprise. saw v ilhin about five I
IDS Of me three Mexican troopers, with an |
IfiS"Hcf, cd'tUg iUclf ulnUcf, NOW
n some fun, thought; and as it was rather ,
70 far TO fire with my pistol, for had no
TN, crept through the bushes, making I
rcuitous route so as to crawl on their rear, {
be nearer without being seen; got with $
about two rods when one of them saw me- ,
I'd with shout jumped to his feet, but he
as no sooner orcct than dropped him a. ,
lin; the other two sprung to their feet, but !
,fore they could reach their horses for their O
,lstcr pistols, put a ball through the leg Z
each, and took their swords from them; | I
on unbound tho Yankee, and wo finished q
o dinner for the Mexicans. We had hard {
got through dinner when tho Yankee said. il
Vol.. III be d--d if we amt got to streak q
now, for there is legion of these devils v
ming" looked up, and sure enough 4
Gro was body oflancers coming. .Well.'I fl
w my friend, said, "wc must try tho Z,
oed OF Mexican horsesl SO in minute we Q
ore on tho back Of tho two best horses. go- r
z as il tho d. was after u.s. But for n
no favored US. and about ten o'clock we Z
rived at tho outpost Of tho American army; Il
d in the morning were taken before Cen b
o. Taylo,, where gave an account of my f"
ventures. The old General laughed har- .
v. and, said he s'there IL roth,nc like a