The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-12-08
The Independen, Candidate.
BY CAPT. ALEXANDER, U. s. A.

In the early days of the existence OF
Texas rs State, had the evil fortune to
be at the head of forlorn command in
Austin. None but those who have expe-
rienced the misery of frontier life can for a
moment imagine the loneliness, discomfort,
and cursed ennui of resident in Texian
cities at that period Of their history. Anx-
iously awaiting orders that would call mo
10 some other station-no matter where
l was fain to seize upon any and every
source that could afford us moments a.
muscment. Five months thus passed had
we'll nigh driven us to suicide. Horse rae
ing had lost its attraction; euchre was un-
profitable, as no one had money to lose
and eau de vie was conducive to brain fe-
vers in that broiling climate. We wero
literally at our wits ends to find some
means to kill time, and prevent its killing
us.
One morning ia August, as crawled
from II bed made untenantable by ferocious
gangs Of bugs, who seemed to have or
ganized in relief parlies-one retiring and
another advancing to attack tho recumbent
foe-I was aroused by shrll blast rising
Immediately beneath my window. Such
an cxccrable "tooting" had never heard.
Had such n sound saluted my ears in the
days of rampant Milerism, l should have
at once cnshroudcd myself in sheet and
calmly awaited Gabriel. But l concluded
it was made by some earthly denizen, BIZ
ped, or otherwise, and accordingly looked
out upon tho courtyard below.
saw that thcro. was some unusual ex
element, and with an alacrity astonishing
in limbs as rusty as mine had become, l
dressed myself and descended to the door,
"Well, menw I exclaimed, "has the
Rio Grand burst its suspenders, and como
rolling down upon your Has Santa Anna
taken the national capitol and made bar
rack of the legislative halll Come, re-
port! What's up"
"Why, Cap'n, Tn up, reckon" ans
wered long, lean, bony, onc-eyed, red
headed, lantern jawed individual, stalking
up to me, and hourishing tin horn, some
five feet in length above his head.
"Up for whatG close hug?' inquired,
eying the fellow narrowly and studying my
chance for a clinch.
"No, sir, I haint como down yere to
fight; tho when Pm to hum / kin take
down anythn' airthly. kin skin the best
and smartest human coon that ever cooked
owe ovor rife. kin! But, Cap'n, Pm
down ycrc on lecterncring speculashin.
Pm goin to run fur the State Congress
by the great creation | am"
"Why, it's more than month in ad.
vance Of the election" l answered.
In coorse it am, Cap'n; but I'm ono of
that air kind what takes time by tho top
not, | am! You don't s'pose that I'm such
a derned fool as to wait until the times ar
rove to vote afore present my case, dew
yeou, sayT
The wild devil gave another long and
hideous blast upon the horn, nearly deaf
cning me with the Internal clangor.
'Hold upH I cried at the top Of my
voice, your instrument of torture is enough
to awaken the dead. We can believe you
to be good biower without a practical
demonstration
will you givc me your vote, Cap'n?'
Il tell you that the time has not yet
come to votcp
And I tell you that the time hes cump
well, what are your claims for our suf-
frages!'
Il don't want none on yeou to suffer on
my account. 'Taint for that Poll Tallman
and ne cum down yere.'
viii You Tell US why you did come
then?'
'By the great boot on the foot of the
I've telled yeou already, Cap'n.
Yeou see, feller subjicks,' he continued,
turning to the crowd who were enjoying
the fun immensely, Il emmygratcd sum
two years ago to these parts, bringin' with
mo, rs in dootv bound, Poll Tallmau thar
Here, Poll, where on airth be yeou?'
Thus summoned, woman, made, fit
ted, matched, and expressly designed for
tho ambitious politician before us, emerged
from the kitchen door, holding in hcr hand
a piece Of raw fat pork, and slice of rye
bread to fit, and walked coolly up to the
speaker.
'Yerc is, Sim,' she exclaimed, taking
another bite from her luxuries.
'Fcller subjicks and gentlemen, this yere
IS my old woman, Poll Talman. Ny
names Simeon-for short, Sim. Stand
close, Pollp
you commenced telling us why you
como down here,' | suggested.
go on with your experience or vamose,'
,red mine host Of tho 'City Mansion.''
We settle up thar, fcller subjicks, under
4 gooseberry bush, and tried morc'n year
10 bring both eends together; but tho land
vas so unairthly poor that it wouldn't er
aised roots enough to keep digger Ingin
IN, let alone tew sch accomplished chris
ians as me and POLL
Especially POLL interrupted some one.
Take keerful, mister, how yeou aspurse
he sect continued Sim, looking around
him for the miscreant. wall, arter wo'd |
lbout starved eout, says to Poll, 'old
woman, this ycre kind o. life hant ackord-
ng tu my views Says Poll, thev haint
lckordin' to this animals nuther.' Says I,
Poll, let's elevate our stakes and adiurn to
more pleasant pastures Says Poll, let's
md in consequence We elevated
Got high, reckon cried the same voice
hat had intcrpolated before.
'Evcrlastin' Jcrcwsalem! II yeou don't
lold on tew yer debate, stranger, yeou'll