Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-29
EVENING STAR.
THE RANGER IN NEW ORLEANS.

But few years ago, an immense sensation
was produced among the excitable and sight
loving citizens of New Orleans, by the appear
ance Of two rainbow -colored Mexican blanket
in their gayest thoroughfares and places of
public amusement. The effect did not result
so much from the singularity Of the curious
costume, by no means rdr1 aus tn tsrrsS to
the good people of the river Crescent, as from
the rich brilliancy Of the article, ard the
brave looks and demeanor of the wearers
Indeed, their martial aspect would have rem
dered them the objects of attention in any
capital Of the civilized or savage world; for
their every gesture, glance and motion, an
nounced cool self possession, and even reck-
less prowess. Their very boot heels, as they
cracket like pistol shots on the pavement.
sounded as sort of general defiance and chal
lenge to all mankind
Of the many external tokens which reveal
the interior spirit of the individual, perhaps
taere Is none so evident and unerrinG as the
gait Who can fail to discover the millionaire
by his measured, steady, solemn tread, appa-
rently counting his steps, as if each were worth
some thousands, while he keeps his shining
beaver erect and pointed towards the zenith
like golden crown? Nobody ever mistakes
modern reformer - the member Of all the
new patent societies for the emasculation of
the soul, and the universal femint=ation of
a
pitiful air, and his very countenance seems to
bear about with it a perpetual apology for the
daring presumption of his unnecessary exist
epce in the realms of space. His footballs cause
no echo on the earth, and the meek, shrinking
look Of his eye says, in plain pantomime-
''Oh, pray. let no one insult me, for l am a
philosopher, and cannot fight duel!'
Very different was tho walk of the comrades
under the Mexican blankets. They conscious
IL E~lA L.. III. &L .lok~ IL
their feet, and had no fears Of its crust break
ing through. They appeared to claim suffi-
cient quantity of air and sunshine as their
birthright, for which they stood ready to bat
tie against all monopolists and tyrants until
death. One of them was handsome man, of
ordinary stature, approaching the meridian of
life, with an aspect Of equal courage, intelli-
gence and good humor; while the other, TALL
massive, and powerful, could not have seen his
twenty fifth summer His long yellow hair
fell In waves round his large but symmetrical
shoulders, and his bright blue eye twinkled
with mischievOus mirth.
"See how they stare their admiration for
US, Jack Hays" remarked the youth, laugh
ing, and giving his rain bow radiant shawl an
extra toss, that showed all its sparkling tints
in the sunbeam; Il" the girls of the Blue Royal
and Charles street will dream about our rich
blankets for a month"
Let US wear our gay ornaments with due
nOdesty, Ben," replied Hays; " the French
fops, in this part of the city, arc quite fiery,
assure you, and the first thing We know may
bo an insult, a knock down, and the ineyita
bic sequel, duel with small swords or pis-
fols "
sOh, how should like thatn' exclaimed
the young man, ardeDuy; and mis- blue eyes
burned like stars; al have fought enough
with English, Irish, Germans-indeed, with
nearly every race; but unfortunately have
neveri had an affair with one of the frog
eating nation"
"Yes-and can well vouch for the fact
they are the ugliest customers of all, espe-
cialiy in New Orleans, where many of their
professional bullies live, at least half their
time, In the shooting gallery and fencing
school" returned the other, seriously
"But what is all that compared to the prac-
tice of Texan Ranger ," cried Ben, with en-
thusiastic admiration. "We learn to aim at
live Camanches instead of paper figures, and
when the bullet strikes it does not ring tho
bell but the death-howl of the Indian war
riOr ~
" / would never advise a friend Of mine to
take an insult timely" answered Hays in
tranquil yet determined tones; " but deem
1t both folly and inhumanity to provoke acts
which naturally tend to useless and cruel
bloodshed.'
"Such is my opinion, too," affirmed the
youth, with a slight blush; "but l would as
soon receive a blow in the face as a contemp-
tuous look, and such has been the real found
alton Of all my dozen combats''
"You should first have sought an amiable
explanation, before proceeding to the fatal is
sue, urged the other. "The countenance Of
man is, at best, difficult cipher to read, and
very liable to be mistranslated, even by the
best interpreter"
"Well, to please you will be more eau
tlous on the next OCCASION" said Ben, with
tinge of malice in his smile
The companions now sauntered UP the Rue
Dauphine, into a locality of rather dubious
reputation for quiet and orderly conduct; and
all the inmates Of the houses swarmed to the
doors and shop windows to gaze at the Texan
strangers; for such every body recognized
them to be without hesitation. Hays, how
ever, soon felt as much surprised as he was
annoyed by the emotions which their presence
everywhere seemed to produce for most Of
the pretty women that they met colorel to
the eyes, while several of the bolder sex
scoWled furiOusly, bat for what reason the
ranger could not possibly imagine, as he did
not observe abe sly winks which Ben, with in
discriminate prOfusiOn, dealt in all directions
among the crowd.
At length stentorian voice nailed them
from one of the cross streets -" 1s that you,
Captain Hays'-aye, and Ben Cullun, too
What, boys 4! have you both just dropped down
from the moon?"
"How are you, General Henderson How
happen you to be here" exclaimed the
friends simultaneously as their old acquaint-
ance advanced, with a certain air of exhila-
ration, to shake their hands. The General
was lean, bOny, but very athletic man; ex-
tremely tall. indeed-so much so, that he
commonly boasted, after the tenth glass, of
having more daylight under him than any
other hero of the age. His eyes had natural
ly the same tint as his hair, and both were of
the purest white, while his arms looked long
enough to have supported the sails of wind
mill. 1t Is hard to form fitting mental con-
caption Of the ludicrous figure exhibited by
this individual when influenced by LIQUOR,
which truly appeared to be the proper and
normal state Of his nervous system. But to
indulge in laughter at his expense was most
perilous species of amusement; for, if the
keen white eyes detected the fact, they in
stantly turned red and lurid as liv;d cpals,
and the sledge hammer of a hand was always
prompt to strike as the head of q rattleSnake
"What brought you to the Crescent City at
this season of the year, General" inquired
Have