Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-30

"' From the last tavern, sir.
"' All, nearly forty miles l think, is it
not 2
90 Forty miles = l repeated in astonish-
mcnt.
"' Why, they informed me this morning
that it was but twenty, at fartherst
"' Doubtless, sir but when you have lived
in this country as long II have, you will
learn to take man sword for what it is worth,
and no more 1t is some ten years since
moved here, and in that time many are the deal
ings have had with these cut-throats Al
though there are exceptions, the most part of
them are little better. than ROLLERS
"' Were you in the Texan war, sir 2?
g" Yes, sir, belonged to company of
Rangers under Sam Houston, and more gal
liant and fearless soldier never saw. 1t was
just previous to my joining them that an in
cident happened which makes me shudder as
relate it. As you are stranger here, sir, per-
haps you would be pleased to hear it..
"' Nothing would crafty me more assure
you
GO WE'LL sir, he began, was brought up in
Massachusetts,, where married.
"' Being accused of the crime of forgery, of
which was in no way guilty, as twas after
wards shown, removed with my wife and
daughter to place some ten miles north Of here
and building me small cabin, | trusted that
surrounded by my family, and in comparative
solitude, should enjoy some of ltfe's SUMMER
hours. But was mistaken, My wife, who
was naturally of frail constitution, being un-
able to endure the privations which as settlers
we were obliged to putup with, soon began to
fail rapidly, Day by day she grew weaker, un-
til at last, but one month from the day set my
foot upon the soil of Texas, she died, and |
closed the eyes of her who had been to me one
: of the best of wives. will not dwell upon the
sorrow experienced you can probably mag
inc my grief Shut out as | was from society,
my child was the only tie which bound me to
| this world.
"' About two years ago, just before the
J Texan war broke out, family by the name of
Herbert, consisting of his wife and son, moved
to this country, and settled near me. A friend
ship, warm and lasting, soon sprang up be-
tween us, and was once more comparatively
happy.
"' We had dispensed at this time with our
rude cabins, and in their places nice frame
houses were built The rich soil yielded an
abnndant harvest which we eitl:ee frsiahted to
some town, or sold to the inhabitants around
u.s.
"' Between my daughter and my neighbor S
son, friendship which soon ripened into love,
was soon formed. need not tell you my con
sent to their union was not withholden, for he
was all could wish for son. Two happier
beings never saw
'"' Our Rancheo neighbors did not prove very
troublesome for time, but we were soon made
r to feel their insolence. Various articles were
often missing which were traced to them, but we
were too weak to demand redress, and so were
f obliged to make virtue of necessity.
g "' One day my child came near being
6 drowned, and but for the timely aid of one Of
the Rancheros, should never again have beheld
e her alive OF course fathers thanks were
; profusely bestowed upon the saviour of hi'
daughter, and from that moment he bacame Q
frequent visitor to our cot. He was totally un
like Ranchero, and but for his dark skin,
n should have taken him for native of the mort
q northern states. He was about middle age
q with a fine form, and easy and afablc in hi
8 manners. Iconfess / liked the man who tt
# all outward appearance, was SO frank and gen
erous. was never in my life so deceived il
: regard to MIN s nature and from that tim
to this, sir, have not trusted one even so muc
7 as to carry dinner to my dog, who, brute a
J. he is, far more deserving of my esteem.
n "' was utterly confounded when, one morn
e ing, Pedro very coolly demanded my daughter
a hand in marriage. OF course this was mpossi
s BILE, as her hand was already engaged but hat
v it been otherwise, should not, 50 great wa
d my confidence in the man, for one moment hay
o hesitated to grant his petition. He manfeste
+ some disappointment at the state of affairs, bu
a with smooth face told me that my daughter
d hand belonged to him, and that he would OBJ
t. tain it by some means or other. Words ensu
ed, and the fellows insolence arousing my an
y ger, telled him to the floor, and babe hin
a leave the house. This he did, assuring me tina
4 the blow had given him would never be for
t. got, and that at some future day he would tax
j most terrible revenge.
"' | was now in state of feverish anxiet
and suspense. Not that feared the fellow 70
| myself-far from it; with my rifle | was no
n afraid of half-a-dozen of his class feared fD
k my daughter safety. She was my only hon
v in this world, and if she should be taken fro,
;. me, it would break my heart Knowing as
|. did the vndctive character of the inhabitant
Il aroused me, feared that Pedro would but to
~ surely execute his threats.
a - informed my neighbor of the circum
n stances, and from that time we never left tn
ID cottage for any length of time.
1t 60 About this time the Texan war broke on
is and although felt it to be my duty to join I'll
Sd orces of the gallant Houston, yet dared n,
w leave my home.
g" was somewhat startled one day to behol
r, Pedro unceremoniously enter the house, and ,
kc usual extend his hand to me- As he was M
to armed, took it, and shook it heartily as if r
OF ill-will had sprung up between us. He said
he regretted deeply his conduct upon the occasic
| have noticed, aud that he hoped | would fo
n give him, as he was subject to sudden fits
y passion over which he had no control, but aft,