Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-10-28

( as his dark eyes SEone Win lhat daTe
devil light, while his form swelled in ey-
cry muscle, as with the conscious pride
of manly strength and beauty. "Would
vou-' he bent forward, sweeping his
curls aside once more, while smile be-
gan TO break over his lips-'.Would you
like to see me ride? My horse is at the
door. You see 1 came post haste for this
commission"
Silently the old man followed the boy,
and together they went forth from the
White House. II was a clear, cold win
ter's day; the wind tossed the Presidents
white hairs, and the leahess trees stood
boldly out against The blue sky. Before
the portals of the White House, with the
rein thrown loosely On his neck, stood
magnificent horse, his dark hide smok-
ing foam. He uttered shrill neig as
his boy master sprang with bound IN
to bis saddle, and in a flash was gone,
skimming like swallow down the road
his name and tail streaming in the
breeze.
The old man looked after them, the
horse and his rider, and knew not which
to admire most, the athletic beauty of
the boy, or the tempesiuous vigor OF the
horse.
Thrice they threaded the avenues in
front of the White House, and at last
stood painting before the President, the
boy leaning over the neck of his steed,
as he cody exclaimed-"Well, how do
you like me?"
"Do you think you could kill an In
dian?' the President said, taking him
by the hand, as he leaped from his horse.
"Aye-and eat him afterwards" cried
the boy, ringing out his fierce laugh, as
he read his fate in the old mans eyes.
"You had better come in and get
your commission" and the hero Of New
Orleans led the way into the White
House.
There came a night, when an old
man-President no longer-sat in the
silent chamber of his Hermitage home,
a picture OF age trembling on the verge
of eternity. The light that stood upon
his table revealed his sunken form rest
ing against the pillows which cushioned
his chair, and the death-like pallor of
his venerable face. In that face, with
/ its white hair, and massive forehead, g,
everything seemed already dead except
the eyes. Their deep gray blue shone
with the fire of New Orleans, as the old
man with his long, white fingers grasp
ed letter, post marked Washington" "
'tThey ask me to designate the man who
shall lead our army, in Ease the annex
alton of Texas brings on war with Mexi-
co''-his voice, deep toned and thrilling.
even in that hour OF decrepitude and de-
cay, rung through the silence of the
chamber ''there is but one who can do
it, and his name is Zachary Taylor"
1t was dark hour when this boy and
this General, both appointed at the sug-
gestion or by the voice of the Man of
the Hermitage, met in the battle of
Resaca de la Palma.
By the blaze of cannon, and beneath
the canopy of battle-smoke, we behold
the meeting.
"Capt. May, you must take that bat
teryl"
As the old man uttered these words
he pointed far across the ravine with his
sword. 1t was like the glare of a volca-
po-the steady blaze of that battery,
pouring from the darkness of the chap
paral.
Before him, summoned from the rear
by his command, rose the form OF a
splendid soldier, whose hair waving in
long masses, swept his bread shoulders,
while his beard fell over his muscular
chest. Hair and beard as dark as mid
uight, framed a determined face sur
mounted by small cap, glittering with
a single golden tassel. The young war
rior bestrode a magnificent charger,
broad in the chest, small in the head.
delicate in each slender limb, and with
nostrils quivering as thOuh they shot
forth Jets of fame. That steed was as
death.
Without word, the soldier turned TO
his men.
Eighty four forms, with thrOats and
breasts bare, eighty four battle horses,
eighty-four sabres. that rose in the clutch
of naked arms, and flashed their light
ming over eighty four faces, knit in eve
ry feature with battle FIRE.
Men, follow!'' shouted the young
commander, who had been created a
soldier by the hand of Jackson, as his
tall form rose in the stirrups, and the
battle breeze played with his long black
hair.
There was no response in words. but
you should have seen those horses quiv-
er beneath the spur, and spring and
lunch away. Down upon the sod with
one terrible beat came the sound of their
hcols while through the air, rose inglitter-
Iing circles those battle scimitars.