Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-08-21
From the n. Y. Sunday Times.
THE SOLDIERS WIFE.
OR, DEATH AT THE FANDANGO.

the government. arrived at BraZos de 81. ia
90. on the Gulf of Mexico, with compan
of soldiers for Fort Brown. The voyage hat
been unusually tedious and tempestuous, ant
the brig. being crowded TO It's utmost capacl
ty. was n general scene of discomfort. Tn
der those circumstances, it was not surprsin;
that the low. sandy shore of Padres Islam,
were viewed with enthusiasm, or that the ole
dinuv steamboat which lay little distance
IN the River Rio Grande was also greeted b,
ali with prolonged and vigorous cheers, a
she steamed over the perlous bar at its moutl
to meet them. In less than half an hour sh'
was alongside the brig, and the soldiers. il
their neatest attire, We're being rapidly trans
ferred to her deck. All hearts were fillcl
with the most cheerful anticipations, seeing {
speedy close to their privations, for they eX
pected to reach the fort before night,it being
but about seventy miles up the river.
After the entire company and its officers
with their baggage, were removed to tho
steambOat-which was about starting-a tall
well-lOoking soldier, emerged from the cabin
of the brig, leading young and-notw'th
standing her humble attire-beautltul woman
towards the steamboat. She was evidently
from the protective pride with which he re-
garded her, the soldiers wife while her fal
tering steps and downcast eyes indicated how
deeply her modesty was wounded in being
alone among such a crowd OF the opposite
sex; but rs she approached, the sudden 81
lence of the men showed plaiay their respect
full admiration.
From the courtesy Of the captain of the
steamboat, she was allowed the use, during
the day, of his own state-room, to which her
husband escorted her. but soon after return
cd to the deck, in case he might be wanted by
his officers. among whom he was an especial
favorte. on acc punt of his good conduct and
intelligence. Besides, he had an uncommon
| " fine martial figure which made him the
envy of the whole company. Hardly had he
left the cabin when Captain Hammond. the
young commander of the company, called
William DAILY ASIDE, (for such was the soldiers
namc,) and, with smiling confidential air,
sail to him, in low tones
We shall be 1T the fort by five this after
noon. The city Of Brownville adjons it,and
they tell me it is great place for amusement.
They will have grand fandangO there to-
| MINT, and wish you to go with me. One
is not always safe alone, L hear, among
them"
But. sir, ifyou could excuse me tonight"
faltered Daily fully conscious of the homo:
shown him by the officer, while the vision of
his lonely young wife, who would so keenly
feel his absence on her arrival in a stra &c
| fort, restrained him.
What for p inquired the captain, with a
slightly rritated tone.
"Oh sir, you know would do anything
to oblige you but how can | leave Mary
have no place for her until look for
one"
Well, well, if that is all can easily ar
range it for you. Your wife can stay, know,
for few days, with Sergeant Kelly's family.
[ will ask him himself, when we arrive" said
the officer in more pleasant manner, adding,
with a meaning look You please me,
and | will guarantee it will be for your in
terest."
DAILY bowed respectfully as the gay captain
moved away. The simple felow thought his
very fortune was secured in the favor of his
superior officer, and Immediately sought his
wife, to impart his good fortune t. her.
The steamboat arrived at an carly hour in
Brownsville, and DAILY, with the rest of the
soldiers, were soon in their quarters in the
garrison adjoining. The kind family OF Ser
.eant Kelly lad warmly received the beaut-
iul Mrs. Daily, and this not only from the
wishes of Captain Hammond, their friend,
but from sudden prepossesSion in her favor
Therefore, soon after night the captain and
DAILY quietly left the garrison, without infOr-
ming any one of their destination They had
not lar to 90, for the incessant beating of a
drum and the mingled uproar of music and
voices which greeted their ears. was sufficient
guide in the clear moonlight. To the great
surprise of the captain, he found the far fam
ed fdn1dngo to consist simply of an open space
Of ground, we'll cleaned and smoothed for dan
eng, and surrounded by monte tables, for
gaming, and others for the primitive refresh
nents of the McXicans 1t was a wild, fan
tastic scenc-for there, under the lue sky,
IN the gorgeous moonlight, were several hun
dred persons, a third of whom We're Mexican
women, dressed in their gay, national cos
tume-lancing, smoking, and even gaming
with the men.
These festivities, though frcquented by the
lowest class of females, and generally from
very questionable motive, are a great resort
for selftyled gentlemen. who, however, often
involve themselves in serious alfrays, some
times resulting in a violent death.
Captain p. Hammond, though gay pleas
ure-seeker, as ale the most of young military
spite Of all his fOliies, generous to fault and
possessed a high sense Of honor. He had in
sited the private Daily to accompany him to
the fandanco for several reasons not only
that he was exceedingly prudent and temper
ate in his hahils, and of extraordinary person
al strength, but mainly from the fact that he
was so happily married-for he was We'll aware
of The danger ri such a resort to the common
soldier. Bat he had forgotten that our Lord
babe rs pray'not to be led into temptation"-
much less to 90 out OF the way to seek it.
Consequently, h. was astonshed, towards
ml'lneht,to find DAILY evidently in high spir-
its, waltzlng with sprightly Mexcan girl,
who had picked up somewhere, sufficient
English for the ordinary purposes of con-
versation. Many gazed upon them with looks
of admiration, as they whirld in swiftly
circlng gvratiCns around the large circle, now
partially thinned, by the lateness Of the hour,
of its former numbers.
They were, indeed a remarkably beautiful
pair-tynes of the extreme characteristics of
their different races The woman possessed
light syph like figure, with fairy hands and
feet; Spanish face, the long oval, with al
most antique regularity Of FIXTURES teeth
small, white, and brilliant, such as are seen
nowhere out of Mexico The hair is of an
Indian length and blackness, and though the
smooth velvety skin is dark and tawny in its
hue, yet those large brilliant eyes, so change
tul and expressive, fascinating the behoider
10y their wild mysterious beauty, are capable
of atoning for almost any defect of feature or
complexion. She was dressed in the strictly
Mexican peasant costume, which for centuries
has never changed its form. For all festal
occasions this consists of the full scarlet petit
coat, covered with black and yellow flowers
around the margin, and bright silk slippers
sparkling with spang;es. The arms and neck
are bare. with no waist, but with the snowy
chemisete brought up snug across the bust
and shoulders. Their long shining hair is
generally worn in braids, profuscly ornament
ed. hanging sometimes below their knees
1xr:ii: D,i. tr.,, Calt E,lls- c;,