The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-18
brave the crush. Ny friends had Just announc


about TO turn away when my eye was arrested
by the sight of young man wearing precisely
the same dress as myself, only perfectly new,
who, leaping out Of the dashing coup, gave his
arm to young lady Of great beauty, and fol-
lowed in my track. had scarcely time to
notice his own start Of unfeigned astOuishment
at the sight Of Texas navy coat and then
was compelled to enter the precincts Of the gay
and brilliant scene.
But already had forgotten this ball; my
mind was carried back several years, to another
ball given in Galveston harbor, on board dis
masted brig, by a set of joyous, thOughtless
young officers, whose doubtful prospects of a
next days dinner rendered them not whit
less merry. For my own part, | had long
ceased to think Of my privatiOns and suffer-
ings in Texas, to remember only its bright
side, and answered the admiring remarks Of
my companions but carelessly, as lived over
once more in memory, days which are always
pleasant when past, especially when belonging
to our first essays in manhood. Ny friends sat
down in a convenient spot, and left them a
while to look after my strange SOSia. He, tOo
was alone; he also had left his female compan-
ion, and was evidently in search ofme.
"Impossiblei" cried he, "no, it cannot be. /"
"Walter Bruce" exclaimed |, as | recogniz.
ed a quondam lieutenant Of the San Berdard
schooner.
"Well," said he, 81 expect this is e1traOrdi-
nary and pleasant too. We parted on the deck
of the New York steamer, bound from Galveston
to New Orleans, and here we meet in Paris, TO
all appearance in the identical clothes we wore
on that day."
passed my arm through his, scarcely able to
speak and we moved along few yards in ST.
lence.
"What are you doing herel" he said, after a
short pause. 'Quill driving, ! suppose. have
been told you have written considerable yarns
about Texas since you returned to Europe"
eyes, my dear fellow, replied 1, II am now
an author. That is my business, profession OF
calling; and you?"
"Oh, Is Why I've been to California since
| saw you, and Pm now on the lookout for a
place in old Europe, where to pitch my TENT
But come along, must introduce you to my
wife. | have often talked Of you to hen You
recolect that MS. volume Of mine, which
scribbled on board the Jim Bowie, and which
you corrected and revised for me. She has them.
But here she is"
was then hastily introduced to very love-
ly young woman, about twenty years OF age,
whose peculiar complexion and hair at once pro-
nounced her to be Mexican Of the mixed race
Of Spaniards and Indians. She received me
with the frank heartiuess Of her nation, and
when | alluded to my not being alone, she pro-
posed to Join my party. This was readily
agreed upon, and as my adventures in Texas
have always, fear, to the sorrow Of some pa
tient friends, formed an endless topic Of conVer-
sation, the union proved interesting and very
agreeable, The fair haired and blue-eyed Eng
| lish kirls, who composed the juvenile secti on
Of my companions, formed pleasing contrast
to the Mexican beauty, and the rest Of the eve
ming was spent in company.
Next morning l found myself at the break
fast table Of Walter Bruce, who occupied splen-
did apartments looking out on fashionable
boulevard. ALI around him bespoke Opulence
and wealth. his servants, his residence, his equip
ages, were allin style Of almost oriental splen-
dor, and could not refrain from remarking on
the wonderful change in his fortunes which had
taken place since the day when we lived in a
state Of semi-starvatiOn on board the old guard
ship in the port Of Galveston.
He smiled, and promised to explain the whole
affair to me, even at the risk Of appearing in
print. "For," said he, elf do narrate my ad-
venture you will not be able to resist the temp
tation."
After breakfast we drew our chairs near the
fire, smoked the pipe of peace, which more than
any thing else carried me back TO my old life,
and while Mrs. Bruce went out to make some
calls, frankly did my ex-comrade in danger and
difficulty relate his adventures and history.
When Walter Bruce left me, he was on his
way to Join two vessels Of the Texas republic,
lying in New Orleans harbOr, which had been
ordered down to Sisal, to assist the republic Of
Yucatan against the parent state Of Mexico. II
would require more space than can here de-
vote to the subject, to narrate all my friends
adventures until he found himself one fine morn
ing transferred from the deck Of man wal
to the counting house Of a merchant Of Vera
Cruz, a change which, however inglOrious il
may sound, was really very advantageous
Bruce had originally been educated for the bar
as had l, and like myself abandoned quiet life
to wander in Texas, carried away by the de-
tails Of her heroic struggle with Mexico. But
an American is generally fit for any thing, and
Walter Bruce soon captivated the confidence
Of Messrs Morris and franklin, his employers.
They had counters in the city Of Mexico, al
MaEatlan, and traded with California, whence
they drew hides and talloW, the very humble
but useful products Of that now gOld-exporting
region.
One day, about three months after the en-
france Of Bruce into the service Of Messrs. Nor.
ris and Franklin, the resident partner at Vera
Cruz called the young man into his private Of
flee. Walter Bruce presented himself, and was
requested TO sit down.
"Mr. Bruce said the merchant, opening q
letter which lay before him, 81 am in slight
difficulty, to get out Of which / require the as
sistance Of enc in whom not only we have con-
fidenee, but who is disposed to undertake foF
the house task Of some delicacy and nicely.
Il am completely at your service" replied
the young man.
"our counter to California is managed BY an
old Mexican, about whom we know very little,
but who has always been very honest and cor
rect in his dealings. He resided much in the
! tUnitsd States when young, but for the lasi