Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-05

MARIA DE GUADALOUPE.
IcoNCLUDEp.l

The wretchedness of the family at this alarm.
ing and unexpected visitation was extreme
Ny son Immediately communicated with me,
ard we all consulted together. Henrique de-
termined never to join a band who disgraced
both their country and humanity, and, if the
opposite party had come up, verify believe
he would have taken refuge In their ranks and
become soldier; fortunately, as we considered,
they turned of to intercept the fugitives by
near cut, and we saw them no more. We knew
Matamoras was in the possession of the party
to which the rufian belonged, but 1t was the
first time they had ventured in our neighbor-
hood. We finally agreed, all except Henrique,
that 1t would be better for him to leave the
country for awhile. He strongly opposed 1t,
until Maria, with tears in her eyes, besought
him, Tor her sake, to go out Of the reach of
dagger.
I'VE soon arranged the route be was to take.
I had friend living at San Antonio, in Texas,
TO whom gave him q letter, and that night
he crossed the Rio Grande and was on his road
The young ones pledged their truth till death,
with promises of as frequent communication as
possible, while was to write to our friend the
bishop, then at Monterey, and endeayor to
have the affair arranged So that Henrique
might return to his home. Alas, man pro-
poses, but God disposes. Several days passed.
and nothing was heard from the officer, though
seyeral parties of his faction, as well as of the
opposing one, were heard Of in the neighbor-
hood. A troop of the other party, which was
reconnoitering, halted at my house. 1 knew
the commander, and, relating the circum-
stances to him, he advised me to visit Mata-
noras under flag of truce, which was to be
sent in, and see the chief in person, with whom
/ might be able to make some arrangement
Offering to one placed under the protection of
the flag. gladly accepted the opportunity;
but, alas, instead Of listening to my remon-
stranceS, he threw me in prison, refusing to
recognize my rights under the flag of truce.
In the meantime, the rufianly butcher,
for such was and is his reputation, had heard,
il seems, from his subordinate, extravagant
accounts Of Maria's beauty, and determined to
have her as well as Henrioue seized for OF
course / had said nothing about the latter's
fight. 1 learned afterwards that negotiations
had been arranged under the flag Of truce for
his evacuation of Matamoras in tive days.
during which there was to be a suspension of
hostilities.
That night, as my sons family were sit
ting up later than usual, expecting my return,
the clatter of horses feet was heard. My son
started up, and ran to the door. He saw, by
the moonlight, half dozen lancers, whose
equipments he knew. He Immediately closed
the door, and, seizing loaded pistol, placed
it in his bosom. Maria and her mother sat
pale and trembling. The lanoers halted at the
door, and in few moments three of them
rushed in, headed by the brutal officer him
self.
"where is a recruit, Henrique Valdez
Produce him instantly ~ exclaimed Captain
Mendez
"He is not here" said my son, calmly.
Where is he, say" demanded the ruff
He has gone to San Antonio on business"
answered his uncle.
Hell and fury seize him :" exclaimed the
officer. well, 1 am bsund to take hostage
for his appearances; SO, comrades, do your duty
carry that girl along, and mount her on the
spare horse We brought for the recruit; we
must hurry back"
Take my daughter, Never" shouted nv
son, placing himself in front of her, and grasp
ing bis pistol
ther, clssping Maria in her arms '.You shall
not you shall take me first 10
Dare you resist US, villain ?" said the lead
er Of the party, furiously; " stand aside, or
will cut you to pieces. Take the girl away,
say"
out: " The first who touches my child shall
perish :"
The leader aimed blow at him with his
sword, which, striking the pistol, glanced off;
but, alas, fell fatally on bis defenceless wife,
whose blood gushed over her daughter, as they
both fell together, the one in a fainting ft,
and the other M death ~
Tho old man paused a few moments, over
come by his emotions, then he resumed
~ Well, even the bloodhounds were for mo-
ment arrested ut the sight of that terrible deed,
and my son started back horror stricken, fxed
his giaring eyes moment on the beloved of
his heart covered with blood; then, with yell
OF madness, he seized a knife from the table
and terrific conflict ensued Maria remained
senseless amidst the tumult, and was spared
the sight Of what occurred. How long she con-
tinued in that condition she could not tell; but
when she awoke she was at my house, lying on
bed, and an elderly military man was lean
ing oyer her
he, in kind and feeling voice.
!" Ny father and mother ~ was all she could
say.
20 There, you will hear from them presently;
DO not excite yourself-ws are friends" said
he, soothingly.
General, I think she is safe" said another
and younger officer, who was q surgeon
.'Aud the other!" asked he, In low voice
q May last twenty -four hours
swell, / will leave a sufficient guard with
you, for must be of to Matamoras. Let them
want for nothing, for her uncles were brave
soldiers, and fought by my side"
" 1t was on the third day that my prison
doors were opened had been aware of the
change OF seDtinels, and supposed the city was
evacuated. Why / was left undisturbed
nsrer leaned; perhaps the tyrant forgot me-
1hs guard by whom was released, conducted
- 20 the new commander, in whom found
: the brave and noble hearted General Arista,
party Of whose soldiers had surprised the
rufhans at their bloody work, and rescued Ma
ris unhurt, and her father, though too late to
save the latter's wife. He still fingered. how
syer. The General communicated this in the
most feeling manner, and offered me at once
r the means ofdeparture. In less than hour I
was beside my dying son, and his stricken
child"
Again the old mans head sank, and II was
some minutes before he raised it again; when
he did 30, there was q record Of sorrow, such
as feeling man never likes to read human
countenance. After awhile I ventured to ask
"And Henrique, senior 2"
Before could have the heart to commu-
Dicatesto him the sad news, he accidently
heard another version Of the affair, BY which
Il appeared that we had all been murdered.
Ny friend wrote in reply 10 my letter, when Al
last had an opportunity of sending it, that he
immedistely Joined your eompatriots, whe had
raised the standard Of revolt in Texas, and
were preparing to tear her from Mexico. Be-
fore any more correct account could reach
him, he fell, desperately fighting against hi
osn countrymen, whose very name had become
hateful to him. And now, senior, have nc