Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-11-14
Iin the character II the jurors called to try.

1t must not be imagined, however, that
his countless qarrels originated at.the ga
ming table, or grew out Of the questions
relating to his fairness in dealing cards {;
the cause was both more romantic and
revolving. His wife. Juana, one of the
most fascinating women ever born in
Mexico, accompanied him as partner.
and bewldered the adverse players as
much by her extraordinary beauty as the
husband did by his skill (; while on every
occasion, and wherever she went, her
charms inspired the beholders with a sort
of phrensied passion, that. in spite of rea-
son. prudence and peril, brought adven-
turous lovers 70 her feet.
But Pedro Palacos was jealous even to
madness, and the slightest attentions to
his bewitching siren aroused his murder
ols wrath and vengeance and he never
failed to throw the onus of the challenge
on his enemy. or to provoke the first as
sault. when one blow of his bowie. knife
usually settled the controversy, and ST.
Icnted the wrong Of his rival forever !
In the month Of September. 1859. the
District Court was inaugurated in the
town of Laredo. and grand fandango
was given on the first night in honor Of
the new Judge, aud to the boundless de-
light of the lawyers in attendance. The
multitude assembled 10 the public square.
and the full moon, in cloudless splendor,
rendered the air SO luminous as to require
no lamps or torches. The entire Mexican
population turned out, besides the mem
bers Of the bar, and all the young officers
Of the army from the neighboriug fort.
A scene Of crater gaieLy or animation
could not we'll be pictured. as the merry
dancers foated like lairies in the moon
light, and every face seemed radiant with
smiles of love and happiness. But all did
not enjoy themselves thus innocently.-
Near one corner Of the old stone church,
which occupied the centre of the square,
gathered large circle of both sexes
around that altar of Mexican Worship
the monte table.
Juana Palacois was dealer Of the cards,
while her husband raked down the mon>
ey won. or paid The lost bets. And never
did stronger contrast present itself than
that which stood revealed in the appear
auce OF the couple just mentioned. He
was man Of helculean mould, with dark.
frowning ferocious features, mostly con.
fcealed by coarse masses of black hair and
a long bushy beard indeed, little Of his
visage could be seen. save pair OF sinis-
| ter flashing eyes. aud nose resembling
the beak Of hawk. His clothes were
costly, and adorned with gIittering jew
els, while the silver handle of his enor-
nous knife shown conspicuously above
the snowy ruff1es Of lis shirt>bosom.
The wife was a fair, slender woman, of
exquisite shape-every limb and feature
being alike full of g:"ce-with shining
| ringlets, black as the ravens hue, face
beamy and beautiful as star. and eyes
SO large. dark. dreamy and overhowing
with fire, that they seemed every moment
melting with the warmest emotions Of un.
uttcr"ble love. Aud this look Of tender.
est passion constituted the magic of her
power-the indefnable aud resistless
charm which enchained the gazer's heart,
and fettered every thought to the foot-
stool Of the mighty enchantress.
Several officers wearing the uniform Of
the United States, and young attorney.
esteemed The most handsome man in Tex
as. one Ebert Wallace. approached the
monte Table, and uttered simultaneously
eX"!amaiiors OF surprise when they beheld
the lovely vision presiding as dealer a!
| tn" game.
" How beautiful T. cried Captain Brew
ton.
She is an angel!'' added Lieut. Tuck
er.
The black whiskers of the jealous hus-
band curled with ire, like those of an in
Iuliate tiger; and such terrific CLEAN
shot from his diabolicul dark eyes. that a
dozen OF the Spectators grew pale with
flight, and several relreated from the cir.
Gle in anticipation Of an immediate exp!o.
sion.
But the young lawyer. Ebert Wallace
who was himself Of most fierce and irss-
chile disposition, and who felt insulted by
the scornful glances OF the gambler, pre-
cipitated the catastrophe by an act ol
reckless audacity. Taking two steps for.
ward. he Ihrust his fingers p3ayfuIIy into
the shower Of raven ringlets. and, ad'
dressing the beautiful Juana in tender
tones. he said
Pretty one, come, leave that ugly he
greaser, and 60 home with me to Browns
vile. l will make you mistress of fine
mansion, and that will be better than fol
Iowingssuch a monkey-like vagabond a:
the wretch beside you ~
She smiled. and blushed look o
nametess fascination and he was on thG
the point Of urging his request in perhaps
warmer and wilder words when the i'm
petuous husband snatched up handful
OF silver from the table, and dashed it il
I, e.