The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-12-05

him Indifferent to his once esteemed pro-
fessors. AS for his studies, he neglected
them entirely; for the stake for which he
had played was gone, ambition was driven
from his soul, and despair revelled in the
violated sanctuary of his affection.
! It was the morning after the battls of
San Jacinto. and General Houston, the
hero Of that glorious struggle, lay beneath
a wide spreading oak, with his saddle for
/, pillow. A painful wound in one of his
ankles rendered it impossible for him to
move, but his eyes, that had blazed on the
battlefield like beacon ights in raging
tempest, showed the JOY Of his heart His
small army, suddenly called from peace
ful pursuits, had routed powerful Mex
ican force, and the brsggard Santa Anna
when last heard from, was flying for his
| life
An officer approached the rccumbent
chief--it Was Horace Morgan, but how
two years had changed his appearance
His hunters costume WAS soilcd and dir
ty; his dull eyes were sunk deep into his
emaciated features, and q mingled express
sion Of sorrow and Of scorn played over
this countenance- Leaving West Point,
he had found his way to the Mississippi,
and so down to New Orleans Here he
toiled as laboror, at times, to procure
sustenance, but though in this world was
not of it. The heavy wave Of trouble,
breaking over hisbsrk of life, had carried
away at its ornaments, and left but the
strained hull, which heavily drifted along,
regardless of its destination Yet when
the news came that Santa Anna had in
vaded Texas, that Crockett and his brave
comrades had been slaughtered in the AL
amo, and that the gallant command of
an oke to new life. Perhaps the thought
/ that it was a Mexican who had snatched
his idol from its heart-shrine had some
influence, bat certain it was that he en-
lis.ed - q private. Bat his military ed
ncstioH sooa Developed itself. and, ere the
struggle Of San Jacinto, he had been ap-
pointed by General Houston adjutant OF
the artillery
"Well, my paladin,' said Houston, as
Horace approached, "have you returned
! weary from the chaser
,'one RcFef vearics in well-doing, gen
/ eral; but we have found sone rare game
-an officer, who insists on seeing the
general in command"
"Ah Well, usher him into our august
presence"
/ Horace beckoned to group not far
distant, which Immediately approached.
In their midst was small, -bright-eyed
man, whose clothes were in tatters, and
who had evidently passed the night in a
muddy swamp. No sooner did he ascer-
/ tain that he was before General Houston,
than he he'advanced, and, with a theatrical
air. exclaimed:
"Soy Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,
Presidente de la Republica Mexicana, Y
general en- gese del ejercito de opera
clones V'*
"Why, Morgan" said General Houston,
''you are captor of Santa Anna. Sit
down Mr.. President, aud take some re-
| freshEnent."
The news soon spread throughout the
camp, and Horace was greeted as the "cap-
tor of Santa Anna" Indeed, the soubrii-
yues followed him to Galveston, where he
was sent with dispatches, and stationed
in command of a small fort, which he was
ordered to put in order for defence. The
mental and bodily employment soothed
his troubled spirit, and he was actually
persuaded to attend ball, given by the
residents of Galveston, on Christmas eye-
ming. What was his surprise when, on
taking his place in the dance, he discov-
cred his vis-a-vis was Cousin Katrina!
Yes! 1t was his cousin--in the full
glory of her dazzling beauty, and he felt
a long unknown thrill of joy throughout
his whole frame as she rnshed across to
meet him, holding out both hands, and
exclaiming: 'tDear--dear Cousin Horace
Why, we have almost mourned you as
dead ~
"And you-are you"
His voice faltered, but Katrina OWNED
what he would have asked, and she re-
piled:
"Did you really think I could marry
him?"
Blessed words Did he hear her right
AS the divine harp of the inspired David
stilled the evil spirit in Saul's breast, SC
did that one short phrase quiet the waves
of passion, that, for two long years, had
made the heart of Horace q chaos of tu-
multuous thoughts. Leaving the dance
the cousins went out upon balcony
There, the past was soon forgotten; ex-
plantations were given and received; mol
/ did tho star-lt waves that rolled upon the
sandy beach near by move more gently
than did the feelings of these now pleged
lovers.
| Katrina had also experienced yicissi-
tudes. Before Horace had left West
Point, the house of Morgan & Wykof
had stopped payment, and this proud un-
Gle was actually dependant upon the char
Iity offriends for support. 1t was severe
I L. L Il