Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-25
NISHIN DESPERAD
Scene on the Mexican Frontier.

Scene on the Mexican Frontier.
After the triumph of the American arms on
the field Of PalO Alto and Resaca de la Palma
the victorious force hurried across the Rio
Grandc, and occupied the Mexican town of
MatamOras. But, unfortunately, these were
not the only invaders, for. marching with the
valiant sOldiery, or following rapidly in their
rear, came another host, of small merchants,
of desperadOes, of gamblers, and every variety
Of reckless sdventurers, including swarms of as
sassins and thieves
Among the numerous gamblers, were three
brothers by the name Of Allen. Their art and
dexterity. backed in each emergency by the
bOwie-knife and revolver, soon rendered them
notorious, and promised, in brief period to
break every bank in the vicinity
AT that time there was brilliant saloon kept
open for public amusement and private profit,
by one Fernando Rosa, Awealthy but ayariciOus
SPaniard. The dealer at the monte table was
mis- daughter, Maria, young girl possessed of
that beauty which 50 often distinguishes the
females OF her nation, and notwithstanding her
unfayOrable and doubtful situation as a princi-
pal in the genteel gambling house, she bore a
faIr fame for virtue as well aS intelligence Sho
detested the position, and filled it only from the
compulsiOn of parental authority, and presided
over the cards in all the evoutiOns of ickle for
tune with the utmost honesty of conduct. As
might be logically inferred, such various and
evident attractions combined to render the es-
eItte of the army, and all the most accomplished
connoisseurs of chance ; and to insure the ex-
clusion of the plebeian class, the rule had been
fixed that the lowest bet on the board must
amount to a hundred dollars
Ii was in the month of MAY. when the three
brothers Allen, having swept the counters of all
the Inferior banks of MatamOras, with their
pockets full of gold and heavy sums of paper,
entered the saloon of Fernando Rosa, deter
mined to close il by fair or foul means. The
apartment was crowded with lieutenants, and
others who had lost large sums of money that
night.
With that rude elbowing impetuosity. which.
more than anything else, marks the soul of the
thoroughbred rufian, the brothers made their
way to the monte-table. Nearly every body fell
back from the board to a safe distance and left
the contest alone to the three fraternal gam
blers- Even the dealer turned pale at their ap-
Pearanee, and her fingers quivered as she shut
fed the painted cards.
There was a stanger who maintained his stand
without as much as glancing at the intruders,
and continued to play. He was a tall, rather
slender-shaped man, some fifty years of age.
His Gress was black, and displayed a strong
contrast with the gay collars, rich rufies, and
barbarlc ornaments of the Aliens.
The latter, at the outset. staked a thousand
dollars each on the queen Of hearts, and lOst
while the stranger, having deposited like sum
on the ace of spades, proved to be the winner
the eldest AZ the same time the two other
brothers used insulting language.
Ihe gaze Of the spectators was turned to the
stranger, whose eyes flashed angrily as he de-
manded in a tranquil but distinct voice, though
little louder than a whisper:
Gentlemen, do You intend to accuse the
lady OF unfair dealing, or me of profting by her
partialitye"
Who are you, that handy words with Us.
the boys of Arkansas" said one of the Aliens
Ny name is Thomas jefferson Dugan," an
swered the other. - | am from the State of
Virginia, the proverbial chivalry of whose sons
Is never falsifed by any act of mine
- Do you mean this to be threat" cried one
of the brothers
- You may receive II as suoh, if you feel 80
disposed" replied Dugan, without betraying
any emotion = intend to convey the idea that
when arl insulted, or my rights outraged.
i am ready to demand, or exact that satistae-
tion claimed by gentleIaen through the
world
- You will fight" cried the elder brother, in
astonishmentn
''All three, if necessary was the cool re-
sponse.
Wait till We break this cheat of bank, and
you shall be accommodated to your hearts
content, said the eldest Allen. with frown.
Again the young girl, with quivering fingers,
threw down the four leading cards; again the
the brothers riSked their money, and this time
on the king OF clubs; but the luck still ran
against them, and they lost, while the stranger
Won his bet Of fifteen hundred on the queen of
diamonds
:. The she rogue has played US false, and we
VIII take the table, vOcIferated the Aliens.
springing to their feet and drawing their bowie
knives TO execute their menace by force of arms
But quicker than their motion was the action
OF DuSan; for, stepping backward, he covered
tho heads Of the two bOdest desperadoes with a
pistol IN each hand, and shouted:
Villains stir a muscle if you dare ~
At this moment the bystanders interposed,
and an arrangement was effected for an inter
view Of honor between Dugan and the eldest
brother The parties, attended by a swarm Of
c1clted spectators, met in the morning on the
bank Of the Rio Grande, opposite the site where
the city Of Brownsville now stands and were
placed in position by their respective seconds
Allen, firing before the word was given,
missed Dugan then exclaimed
Assassin and swindler, / will not kill you
f1r yol are not ft to die but 1 will cripple
your elbow for life and his bullet shattered
the others arm at the precise point indicated
The remaining Aliens shrunk from similar
earnestly profered ordeal.
Since then the victor has been a resident of
the Rio Grande, and has engaged in a dozen
other encounters, but always with the same
wonderful heroisTn and forbearance
STRANGE EFFECTS OF VERDIs MUsIc-Atue
a - n ErGnc o. t,ar-g