Smyrna times., 1861-08-15
Il Texan Maior.

OVerhauliDg the log-book of our memory the
other day, we came across the name Of popu.
lar comic actor-Jim Wills-whOm many Of
our pIay-gocr remember, and who was cope
clalIy famous for his style of singing " Billy
Ballow We think he played last al the
National IN Boston, some t"enty years ago.
lie was queer coupound-lhe cause OF much
mlrlh in others, but never laughing himself
In tact, he, whose lghtest word 81 gel the tahls
onia roar" was a melancholy man through life,
and finally, in a tit Of depression, took himself
OIL this subiuary stage. lie was The hero Of
OF many queer adventure, Of which he follow.
ing, perhaps, Is the most amusing:
AT the time the Texas excitement was 80
high IN the United States, on account of Santa
Annals last attempt TO subvert the then loue
Star Republic, Jim Wills was in Plttsburg, 10
that situation SO common to pI.y actors viz
"dead b'ok." Standing one day on the wharf,
with his serious vsage expanded, planning
how he should get down the river without men.
ey he heard drum aud ii.e. o. locking round.
he saw company OF reckless locking halfuni.
formed soldiers, about eribarking for New Or
leans, bearing u TaXan banner A thought
struck him. Next day he sent his Trunk on
board The first boat 10 start, and Just as the cap.
tam was taping,the bell fos he last time, Wills
stepped on board, drs eyed his .ranks into a n
uhsccupIed siate-rooT and TOOK from bis theal.
real wardrobe soldier coat With cuff b.eas,
ana thFee rows OF buttCAE, Chapeau with an
immense plume, red 5ash, a PAIR OF military
Towsers, grizzly black wing, and a pair Of
false whlskers. BY the time the boat bad got
talriy under way, jim Wgs equipped, with hts
stage sword hanging gracetuly BY his side.
Drawing on his hite gloves, he hesitaled for
moment, but relying on his pecui AZ powers, he
opened the DOR, gave the usual militaty sloop,
and walked into the cabit which was il lied
with passengers. In a moment III eyes weT,
directed towards him, but he wa led Up to the
bar and drank a glass Of brandy and water
In the meantime all was hustle aud Confusion
to find out who the officer was. a geaeral
rash was made for the register, but he had not
yet put down his name. The captain was con.
suited, but he knew nothing. Atlength, how.
ever. feelings little curiosity, the captain walk
ing up to jim, and bowling politely 10 him said,
I" Sir"
"Sir To you" said Wills, touching his cha
peau o la militGire.
"Wili you DO me the favor to eris,er your
name, so that l can provide a state room for
you!"
40, with pleasure" said jim, and walking
up to the register, n fourished his round text :
&c. T. Edwards, Major, Texas army"
The crowd pressed around the table--ihey
read the name-unlversal enthusiasm prevailed.
and three tremendous cheers were given f..
Texas and liberty! Jim took off his chapcau,
acknowledged the compliment with graceful
bow and few patriotic remarks.
1t Is almost Q less 10 state that from ID /
moment the sea distant Major wa9 lion. Ey.
cry one sought to make his acquaintance -lhe
ladies' opened the cabin door TO get a peep q,
him, he was placed at tho head ofthe table.
and at night, we reg ret to add, was made ob!Iy-
lOus on champagne. Next day be was prone
nadlng the hurricane deck. lin.ed arm in arm
with the captain and warm hearted Southern.
er, who resided in Vcks5Urg.
Major" said the Southernor, " know vV,y
well that you have been on a mission to collect
arms, ammunition and recruits, but on that
subject you must, OF course, be mum, in conse.
quence Of the treaty between Me1ico and the
United States. For my part, could see every
copper'colored rascal hung Ike a dog on a
! tree!"
Whatever my business may have been. e"
SAID Jim, =" find that Ihaye exhausted all nv
means in the cause; in fact. | fear shall no,
be able to pay my passage until get to New
! Orleans"
Don't mention it," said the captain "
|
! ; have ii, said the Southerner. " Come
| with me-"
The trio adjourned TO the clerks office, where
a stirring appeal for aid to Texas vas wii,ten.
The Southern gentleman carried it among the
passengers and collected $50, which was hand.
| ed over to Wills. At might Il grand supper
was given, at which speeches were made and
tOasts were drank The cabin wus decorated
with star spangled banner, enlwined with the
flag OF the lone star, manufactured by tie ladies
for the occasion. About II o'clock the com.
pany commenced singing songs, and at leng III
he Major was called upon TO favor the com ANY
with song. He complyed by favoring The
company" with his famous song of" Billy
Barlow"
bravo !" said one.
"Excellenf ~ SAID another.
"CapiIal!' said a third.
al could do it blamed sight better" sal
Jim, who was fast vergng into the forth stag
OF lntoXlcation, 4" If had the proper Iogs on -
| After giving three faint huZzas FOR Texas.
the party broke up. Next morning the clerk
went into the state room to call him to break.
fast. Ina CINE his surprise when ne discovered
that the Major had actually turned in all stand
ing-with boots, chnpeau and sword on, the
feet snugiy laid on the pillow. lie tcas a Tex
as Ma or, and OF course no laalt was found
k1 Thus things ran on, and VIII reached New
! Orleans in triumph. There he dotted his uni.
form and returned to Eicksburg. where he got
an engagement in the theatre. lie bccG ne a
great favorite-aDd when he was at the zenith
OF his glory, the old gentleman whom he met
on the boat went 10 the theatre. Dctwcen the
pieces Wills sang Billy Barlow" The old
fellow was bewildered. The afterpiece came
on, aud Wills appeared in the identical suit in
which he had enacted tho Texan Major. After
the theatre let OUT. the old fellow sought an in.
terview with Jim.
You rascal, | ought TO shoot you but the
'Tlck was SO clever that | forgive you so let's
say no moro about it,"
| jim looked at him moment with a serious
expression, then replied:
Zach man in his time plays mauy parts"
! a SAD INSTANCE OF WAR.-Holmes Conrad,
1