Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-03-20

9. except when duty compelled US to q
&c SO. This. made it SO disagreeab
r that | was on the point of applyin
D. fora exchange, when the war wit
le Mexico broke out; we were ordered 0
l active service, and private animos
sr tiles were forgotten in our zeal agains
II the common foe.
Elliott and I continued on mucl
y the same terms, although, in spite Q
L my dislike, I could not help admirin!
e bis bravery, his noble daring, his en-
: ergy and presence of mind, and BIZ
4 fatherly care Of the troops under bi.
r command. Still, however, the lar,,
!, was smouldering in our ttosor,s. ONLY
, waiting an opportunity to break out
!, AT s,. last the Opportunity came.
Elliott had been left in charge of
large numbsr of sick and wounded
while tie rest of the army pressed OF
to@ard the Halls of Montezuma. I,
,Iof course, was there with several as
sistants. We were encamped in a
picturesque little hamlet, situated in
a wild romantic neighborhood; and
the country being pretty quiet, we
were In the habit of yenturing some
distance from the encampment, shoot
ing, sketching, or perhaps flirting;
for you know, our fellows did not
extend to the Mexican senoritas the
hostile feelings with which they re-
garded the men. For. myself /
cannot say that admired them much,
some Of them were very pretty, to
be sure, but that abominable habit
they have of smoking cigaritos
spoiled them in my eyes. 4 like
good cigar myself said the Doctor
re-lighting the one he held which
had gone out, but / don't like to see
a woman smoking. I couldn't fan
cy Venus herself with a cigar in her
mouth.
Well, one morning I had saun-
tered forth, portfolio in hand, for the
purpose Of taking some sketches,
and in the course of my wandering
came upon pretty little dwelling by
the side of waterfall, in a sweet,
sequestered spot. Ona messy bench {
by the door sat a young girl of
wonderful beauty, in a snowy but
picturesque dress, with a guitar in /
her hand, the sweet melody of which
blended delightfully."- with the soft ,
murmuring dash of the waterfall, and i
the gurgling of the little stream be- !
yond it. 1t was picture of surpass- .
ing beauty and loneliness, and / Inn ,
sat down on fallen tree to !
commit it to paper. :
6 While thus employed, man was :
observed approaching whom l soon /
found was no other than Elliott him !
self. As be neared the cottage, the !
young girl, who had evidently been '
him, threw down her guitar a
md ran eagerly to meet him. He :
sat down beside her on the bench;
when suddenly observing me, he :
started as if serpent had stung him i
md hastily approached me. He ,
ylared upon me with a look IN which
III the hatred that had been gather !
Nc for so many years seemed con- .
,entrated. t's-{ q +
This is the second time, sir, said t
lie fiercely that you have crossed my u
bath 1T shall be the last time! Fol-
ow me if you dare!
IF by crossing your path, said !,
YOU mean an allusion to that young :
fassure you that ] have not :
poken to her, nor approached to her !.
learer than ] am now.' 80 I
z Must I call you coward?' said he; :
will you follow OF not?' :
threw down my drawing materi- . .
Is and followed him. He entered the /"
and led the way TO a clear 7
pace near a running brook. Here
e turned and drew his sword. De- .
end yourself' he exclaimed. ?
Captain Elliott said /, although ! ;
N not conscious Of having injured =
ou, ! am ready to give you the sat "
,faction you demand. But had We
OF better return to the camp, obtain b
econds, and conduct the affair in the p
egular manner?' "
No. said he, 4 win bold no fur e
ber parley with you. Defend your b
elfl' p
Thus adjured, / drew my sword; o
ut had scarcely done SO when some a
hing whizzed past me, sharp report b
as heard, and With q Wild cry Eli b
- Enlf ~ M, .fs.nt 4. 1no1xod f,r nm a