Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-09

Letter from Texas.
no. w.

no. w.
AUSTIN.
Circumstances over which could exer-
else no control, compelled me to omit wri-
ting for some days. Thai necessity no
longer existing, will continue my journal
from the town OF Lagrange on the Colo
rado, where left my readers. This being
a night stand for poor weary mortals who
travel by post-coaches, they are glad to avail
themselves Of tho two hours offered for re-
ppse, and willingly cheat themselves into the
belief that some more convenient opportu-
nifty will occur to examine the beauties of
the city. | regret that it was the case
with myself, as the faint view | caught
from dim star-lit night, l felt prepossessed
in favor of this place, and would have been
delighted to have spent a few days at this
spot, but that never-en1ing, neve~-tiring
horn, chased Morpheus from our couches,
and bid the weary to arise, not to ''rest,"
and prepare for bounding o'er the prairies.
Now, hunters, poets &C., may praise the
cheerful notes of the merry horn, but for
my part, have come to the most wise and
sage conclusion that law should be passed
in every State in the Union, declaring the
use of stage horn to bo nuisance. With
lamps lighted we dashed off at merry speed,
but more unsocial, surly set never before
congregated in a stage-coach 'swe spoke
not word," but wrapped ourselves up in
our own thoughts, and thus passed the
hours until breakfast, which was not only
of the most liberal, but most excellent kind.
This restored the general sociability, and
the balanco of the day passed very agreea-
bic. The country we were now passing
through may be considered as gooi as any
in western Texas the same beautiful prai-
ries, .as live oak and other groves appear
ed to lend enchnntment to the scene. |
could no: help envying those whose fortune
had cast their lots in the midst of this
earthly PARADISE here where summer is not
chilled by the icy winters of the north;
where mans wants are but few. twas
easy to picture to the mind which has un-
successfully struggled with the caprces of
fortune, that here, retired from a world
of want AID misery, he could initiate the
patriarchs of old, and with the fccks and
herds live in peace with his God and him.
self. We reached Bastrop about twelve
o'clock ~, where We barely delayed long
enough to change h,rs.s. This place, al
though ,vins figured much in Texas his
tory, does not appear to be endowed with
that spirit Of o-aheaditiyencss that per
yadcs many others, whose comme1cements
are comparatively Of but yesterday, having
been once reduced to ashes by order OF
Mexico's yo1 len les champion, and not
enly its inhabitants, blt those Of the sur
rounIing country been driven to the Trin-
ty to obtain safety from the Mexican army.
LIS early birth can hardly have given su-
pcriorits o it over later locations. 1t is
situated in very pretty sandy bottom of
the Rio Colorado, and should that stream be
made subseryient to the interest Of the
country, may yet become a place of some
importance, 1t being Sunday, made the
town look, perhaps, duller than it would
have otherwise, but from general appear
ances, should not select it as place Of
much business.
Here We had an addition to our passen-
ger list; four deckers, as yertable looking
loafers as any country could produce. They
were on their way to the newly discovered
gold diggings, arn,l each with u ria, and
whisky bottle. They were prepared to face
any amount of danger that might oppose
their laudoble undertaking to obtain money
to buy whisky, for could not imagine that
means in their possession would be expen-
dod in any other manner than the purchase
of corn esscsnse. After much boisterous
nirth, and having put the brand of NJ. L.
on their bottles, they quietly coiled them
selves On top of the coach and went to
sleep, with the rays OF meridian sun
posed that sickness and death would have
bsen the result of this exposure not so.
Old Sol had only acted as their NJ. D., ex-
tracing by his rays the fiery liquid from
their inhamed brain, leaving them when
they walked up in the evening, as bright as
if they never Imbibed. But they were old
soakers, and | would be far from advising
any OF my friends to try the experiment, in
any climate, much less that of Texas.
Nothing material occurred from Bastrop to
Austin, which latter place We reached about
midnight, and were driven TO the 'scrack
hoteP' OF the city. But, alas our promised
comforts and rest vanished when we were
ushered into this place of dirt and filth
the very poorest-kept house found in the
State. This gave me bat an Indifferent opin-
ION OF the city, of which, however, was
agreeabiy disappointed next morning. As
the stage would not leave until Tuesday
morning for San Antonio, promised myself
much pleasure in days stay at the capita,
and good nights sleep. A description Of
Austin will give you in my next. G.
For the Journal
ObjeCtiO