The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1860-09-08
A TALE OF TEXAS.
REVENGE.

but can tho WIGS OF art, tine grasp OF power,
Snatch the richness Of a well spent hour ~
Revenge! revenge for our wounded comrades
Death to the invaders" was the battlecry of Jack
| HOLIDAY las he was Familiarity called,) while
| fighting at the fatal battle or rather massacre of
| the Alamo. He dealt death to many a foeman,
/ but all in vain. His comrades, ovcrpowered by
the superior numbers Of the enemy, were slaugh-
tered without mercy. Seeing that all was lost,
Jack, with vengeance burning in his heart, darted
away.
Then did Texas daughters mourn for the brave
who slain on that disastrous day. The sur
vvors of that gallant band swore eternal vengeance
on the sayers Of their brethren. Remember .ho
Alamo" became their battle-cry and the implor-
ing shrek of the enemy for mercy was answered
in startling tones, Remember the Alamo"
Jack was wounded, but he was many miles of
before he discovered it. In the hurry of the fight
he had no time to think OF hurts, but now, when
cooled down, it became painful IIunying on as
fast as his crippled state would admit, he sought
for shelter and refreshment. At length when
nearly overcome, and ready to sink TO the
ground with fatigue and exhaustion, he saw
through the forest a neat little cottage. He bur-
RED towards it He arrived at the door, his mind
and thoughts in amaze; he strove TO saise the
latch his head became dizzy, his brain whirled
and he remembered no more.
| When he returned to consciousness, he was in
a strange room. The fragrance of flowers loated
in at the halfopen wndow-the melody of birds
cnlivencd the air without All this he saw, felt,
and heard Where was he that was what puz-
zled him. How to account for his being there,
he knew not; gradually he remembered past
events, dim and shadowy as a dream. He re-
membercd the Alamo, his fight, escape-fnally
his falling senseless at the door of a cottage--a
else was blank.
The rustling Of dress was heard, and Jack,
turning his eyes quick y in that direction, saw an
appariton, which he for wears afterwards rcmem-
bercd. 1t was syoF hg gill sylph-like and grace
full her features regular and of Grecian mould,
and her complexion pure and clear as an angels
with color enough to impart a rose-like hue, and
rendered still more beautiful by her glossy black
hair. The grace % every movement completely
captured the heart of our hero, and he could have
gazcd forever and never tired at her almost super
natural beauty.
She entered the room unconscious OF the interest
! she created ia him, and totally unaware of the
eyes fixed upon her and Jack having raised him
self upon his elbow at her entrance, remained so,
with his eyes fixed upon her ss though he was
afraid it vision, and would vanish. Sud
denly her eyes were raised, and encountered his,
when Gush beautiful as a new blown rose, suf-
fused her face and neck.
MAIDEN SAID Jack ut last breaking the spell
upon him, and finding uttcrancc; "can you tell
me where am and how am, end how came
here ?"
"You arc. fsbelicve, with Gicnds as to how
you came here, | know not. We found you
wounded and scusclcss at the door, apparently
dying; hut, thank God, you are recovering"
How long have been here l'R
Three days; we found You on Sundsy eve
ming, and it is now Wednesday"
Have been seus,css all that time"
"You have"
IL know not how to express my thanks, but
should you ever need the services of friend Jack
IIalloday will be ready to assist you."
Thanks unnecessary, we have done no
more than our duty
"Duty or not am none the less grateful"
Really, sir she said naively, II mnst carry
out my instructions, and they are not to let YOU
converse till you become sensible = so if you are
grateful show it by being silent"
4 month passed over and the invalid was again
strong and hardy. oh what a pang it cost him,
In one month he had learned TO love the gentle
Isabella. As yet his love had been untold, unless
the glances of his dark eyes and the admiration
his very acts declared showed it to his companion
Speak it, he dared not, and she seemed to
him to be of higher order of beings.
Night came beautiful and serene, but with it
came no joy for Jack. His heart was oppressed
with the thought ST to-morrowo He was TO e.
forth in the defense Of his country. Perhaps for
the last time lac sat aud convcrsrd with his kind
friend to whom h. owed his life He could scarce.
y keep the tears from running down his checks
There was, another, too, who f 1t oppressed, but
with the dclicacy OF her sex she strovc to appear
unconcerncd. In the short time they had been
together, these two kindred hearts had learned Ia
love, yet with the duilness for which lovers ale
provcrbiaI, neither perceived the preference OF
the other,
| The household bal gone to rcst-au but tn
stranger. Filled with melancholy, Jack was in
no humor for sleep and in order to pass the dull
yet fecting hours, he tool, stroll through the
garden, and entered the edge Of a n,g hbotnu
forest Suddenly he heard the sound Of voices
evidently in earnest conversation. At the time OF
which we write, men dwclt in constant dread OF
the enemy, and every circumstance however tri
vial, was deemed suspicious Moving cautiously
forward, our hero secured position where h,
could hear without being heard
Jim" said voice, "wheu did you say the at
tack ou til Ncuons take place 20
AT one O'Clock this night the Mexican Gcncr
all said he would b. here
as theP rizc -" great as require his presence 2
do you consider the life and soul of the Who'll,
Texan army, Col. Lincoln. worthy of his pres
cnce 2"
| 1, I,t 4. H.,