The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-01-11
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braveDgDf6he NNSe. ShertlE aftemS 60
slusion u the war, John West, tk1 younges
Of . three brolbess, returned 70 North
| Caroline, taking with him On his return 4
Texogfsouy - Do uose honneilel womoeO
| that STATE, renowned far and wide for he
| beauty. For some three years John IVES
seslns y have realized that ideal Of happi
ness dwsltupon - much, and vt = selden
trsaliseA il this wesld. Hie vine nlaA eotaage
bis focks, his humble, but honored avOca
tons, bis sweet wife and infant dauehter
wefe hi6 world and he sighed for no other
There can b. no paradise On EARTH Wishoul
the slime Of The serpent being visible on. il
flowers, and this was no exception TO thu
common lot. The Revolution had indeed
gained for Texas freedom from Mexican
| tyranny, but had left her overrun with
scoundrels Of every dye, who reveled il
crime Of all kinds, unchecked either by law,
or that thing stronger than law-public
opinion. Strong bands Of those Free Com
panioDs" roamed from place 70 place lsvying
black mail upon oil VINO were able to pay il,
mot unfrequently committing the most wan
ton murders Among the few who were OPP
posed 70 these lawless proceedings. John
West stood conspicuous, dencunclng them
openly without fear Of the consequences
AZ must BE- expected, THU manly conduct
brought TO him the direct threats Of ven
geance from the vicious, for milss around
his dwelling. These things could not remain
thus among such men without coming to o
crisis, and one cold. stormy night, band Of
men knocked at his door, requesting admit
lance. His wife objected to his opening the
door, but the soul Of West never knew fear,
and without knowing anything oftbc char
acter Of his nocturnal visitors, be admitted
them. Some ten or twelve ruf6ans Of the
most repulsive stamp entered the room, and
with loud curses demanded liquor and food.
West. still not suspecting anything wrong,
sat before them what the house afforded, and
while turning to 60 into the other apartment
was felled senselsss t. the ground by q blow
from behind, and Immediately gagged and
bound. The scenes which followed We
shall not depict The sun which had arisen
but the morning before, on a scene Of prim-
eval happiness, now litup with bis Grst rays.
smoldering ruins, blacksned walls two char.
red and grinning skeletons, sad memorials
ofyesterdays hrppiness, two flowers breath.
ed upon by death ere they were faded or soil
ed by the simoons Of hot and peetilent
world. Ten years have flown by since that
night ofhorrors. Ten years Of sorrow, pain,
joy; ten years of stupendous change. In
that time have been enacted some Of the
most sublime dramas of Time; the Lone
Star Of Texas still shines brightly in the FIR
manent; but ominous clouds seem to threat
en- ito brilliancy. Mexico again asserts her
right to that beautiful province wrested from
her grasp by the heroes Of San Jacinta. The
tocsin Of war again resounds over the rich
prairies, and every where the people are
eager to whip Mexico" Recruiting Offices
are every where opened and into one Of
these let us step for mement, reader, and
study the rich variety Of originals which We
shall find there. As we enter fine manly
voice is trolling some fine old ballad, com
memoratiys of American prowess by sea and
land. Here, sitting on the bare floor il .
party Of hunters, locking on the strange do
ings-to them-of their more civilized COM
panions. Suddenly all are hushed still az
death, for they instinctively know that some
deed Of blood and violence 10 about to be
perpetrated. 'LiarP' shouts a tall com.
handing man to . covering and frightened
man at his feet; ''you are one Of the Villains
who burnt my house, murdered my wife and
child, and would have served me the same
way, if had not got out Of your clutches;
you are the last Of EN-. but it shall mot be
said that Jack West ever took the life Of his
bitterest foe without chance; your mustang
is o good one, mount him, and if you can get
away vow can have your life, but if / catch
you, no mercy, for your Internal gang showed
me and mine none. go, five minutes start,
and the Lord have mercy on You If the mus
tang fails you" The speaker turned, and
walked up to the light commenced putting
fresh caps on his revolver, and arranging his
arms. The man to whom be had been
speaking arose, and casting a look Of hatred
and fear at West, rushed precipitately from
the room What do you intend to do with
him, Colonel?' asked pompous, portly
individual coming up, laying his hand famii-
iarly on the shoulder Of West sSend him
to hell, was the instant reply, and the large
man shrank back into the crowd, for ali
knew the character of West, and none cared
to arouse him. Without word to any one.
he lett the room, and in moment the furious
beat Of horses hoofs told that the ayenper
was on the track Of his victim. For miles
and miles the prairie stretched out like an
sea, terminating its waves of
verdure IN an immense cypress swamp; and
toward this swamp the wretch who was
thus strangely offered chance for his life. |
was now Fastening with frantic speed, Ii |
was strange race. The moon, full orbed, |
rode high IN the heavens, shedding a flood Of |
'iivery radiance on oil objects, making it |
appear almost as bright as day a stiffness
profound as the grave reigned around, bro
Ken only by the tramp, tramp Of the pursued
ana the pursner. Nearer and neorer does he
iraw to the doomed wretch, and with .
shrek OF despair does the hopeless man see
hat It ls impossible for him to reach that
place OF refuge. Even now the breath Of his
'nemys steed comes like fire into his face.
md with one more bound they are side by
'ide. "Spare me @. for Gods sake, mer
IT yelled the terror stricksd fugitive
ne only answer was . sharp, quick flash
stunning report and the murderer stood
n the presence Of God whom he had out
aged by his crimes on earth. Gone, IN
.nnealed ,unannointed, with his white, ghastly
ace upturned to the sky, and the red blood
LABELLING the sweet white flowers, the last OF
ne murderous band which had marred
orever the happiness Of the cold, stern man
ifflng on his horse, looking impassively on
ne face OF the dead man, thinking dreamily.
perhaps, Of the dear home, and its dearer
inmates, lost to him in this world forever
'ohn West IS not the name Of the man, one
Incident Of whose varied life we have en-
leavored 70 give you; bnt his name il in
cribed high on the rolls Of fame. Should
his ever meet. the eye ola Texan Ranger he
vii perhaps, remember the night before the
walls OF Monterey, where he told this story
q one Of the group Of listeners. Esprit Of
he South.
HE CHILDs ANswER.-Little Nellie Ii
lad lost her father, and her mother w.
oor. Her sweet temper and winning ways