Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-21
Gge Storp GtlItr.
Written for the Eastern Zines
OLD CIR A T CHI.
A TEXAN SKETCH.
BY d. J. CLIFFORD.

"Mas que diable aait il faire dams cette galere ?"
doubtless most people know-or, at least,
people in general have had passable reasons to
doubt if Texas, just previous to the annexa-
tion, or in fact, at any time, was precisely the
place that timid man, posted up in the pc
culiar characteristics of its early pioneers,
would be likely to select as permanent resi-
dence. Emigrants, however, with no bumps
of combativeness to speak of, drifted across
the Sabine into disagreeable sense of inse-
curity, and found, this side Of the Neches, no
position allotted to them that did not speedily
become exceedingly, SO to speak, near the
wall In fact, the border settlements were
governed by and at the mercy of desperadoes,
who taking the name of Regulators or Mod
orators, levied black mail on the helpless set
tier or drove off his cattle with impunity. 1t
is true that there were in this part of the
country, traditions, at Jeast, of sherffs-real
sherifls-and their doings; but few honest
settlers ever had the luck to see live one two
miles from Nacogdoches.
About the year 1888, few families, push
ing their fortunes in this new country, found
on branch of the river Neches, spot of
exceeding beauty; and here, pitching their
cabins, they proceeded to clear land. For
time they were left to extend and cultivate
their clearing unmolested. At length, how
ever, band of men, calling themselves Reg
ulators, seeing, and being unfortunately struck
by the beauty Of the locality, Immediately con-
ceived the idea of ousting the occupants and
taking possession themselves. This, after
some bloodshed, they succeeded in doing and
directly this beautiful valley began to obtain
reputation by no means enviable. All set
tiers for miles around were required to pay
tribute-failing this, no farmer between New
castle and the Tweed, was ever harried more
effectually. Villains, however, who presumed
to commit vilainies on their own private re-
sponsibility, got nothing from the Regulators
save short cord and the nearest tree.
About half mile beyond the principal
clearing was the solitary cabin of an old man
who with his family had squatted here some
time previous to the descent of the Regula-
tors. This family had thought proper to re-
sist the authority of the latter persons, and, as
consequence, the old man and his two sons
were shot down in front of their own door
The cabin at the same time was somewhat in
jured and for this or some other reason, no
one had attempted to take possession of it, un-
til nearly year after, when news was re-
ceived at Hoods grocery that an old man was
engaged in repairing it. This information, as
it offered chance for new outrage, created
among the dram-drinkers therein congregated,
somewhat of sensation. So long time had
elapsed since any new conner had presumed to
occupy land in the vicinity without first pur
chasing the sanction Of the principal regula-
tors, that the old mans audacity was pro-
nounced by Tom Blake, the leader of the ma
rauders, id amazin,' since he had seized
upon what that gentleman was good enough
to consider his own private property. Curl
GUS to get glimpse of this new victim, the
gang, cracking horrid jokes at the expense of
the deIuded old man, started at once for his
quarters. 1t was not, hewever, their policy
to interfere with him at present. They gen
orally permitted strangers to house themselves
snugly, in order that they might be, when
called on, less willing to quit, and consequent
ly more likely TO come to fair terms or open
resistance.
Two weeks after this, the band, having
gathered at Hoods, larger quantity than
usual, of corn whiskey, helped them to the
conclusion that it was time to show up the
stranger; and accordingly three of their num-
Der was about to start for the old cabin to for
mally notify the interloper Of their rules and
regulations, when the object of their cares
suddenly stalked through the door, and quietly
saluting them, called for powder. He was
tall old man, past fifty, but apparently as 1.-THE
and active as ever STOPPING good deal when
he walked, but when motlonless, standing firm
as stake and straight as an arrow. Save
his eye, which was like an eagles, there was
very little in his appearance to distinguish
him from any one Of those men who spend
their solitary lives in the forests of the west,
under the names Of hunters and trappers He
was followed into the store by wiry-haired
dog with a muzzle as worn and battered as
the rifle which his master carried on his arm.
After an interchange of news with one of the
men who had civllly accosted him, the old man
was on the point Of departing, when Blake
who, by the way, was short, heavy-limbed
fellow, with queer nose, but countenance
that bore very little evidence Of the villainous
soul within-arrested him with
/ say, stranger, you don't seem to remem-
Der me, but ! reckon I've seed your kewris
mug before. / don't keer to hurt your feel
ings, but the last time was in Galveston
there was a longshanked chap, onkimmon like
you, toted up for horse stealin'. He started a
stampede from the caral of a cattle drover on
the Sabine. P'r'aps it acas you!'
Not likely said the hunter, with good
humored laugh. But howsomever, if it hap
pened lately, I've a notion it was the same
man the people over yonder were in sarch
after the last time passed that way. A sar-
tain Thomas Rrake. or Blake, / disremember