The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-04-06
HUNTINGTON'S ESCAP

Scott, with his little army of veterans,
was laundering away at the gates of the
city. Within was the widest consterna-
ton anG terror Panic-stricken men,
women, and children, were running hith-
er and thither, right into the very month
of the dasgcr which they. were trying
to escape. Shot and she'll were falling
thick and fast, dealing destruction and
death and surely opening the way for
the Americans.
In an upper room of building facing
the grand Piazza sat two persons l.. e ar
nest converse, and apparently regardless
| of the tumult without.
The elder of the men was q Mexican
with slght trace of Spanish blood, on
which he prided himself exceedingly.
! He answered to the name of Don Jose
Canallcs, and was one of the nabobs of
the city. The younger man was an
American; his name, Mark huntington.
"Why do you refuse, Don Jose ~
asked Huntington. Il sincerely love
the Dona Isabel, and | have reason to
believe that she is not indifferent to me.
L have wealth and good name. What
more can YOU ask y
"Senor Huntington, you are an Amer
ican, replied Don Jose, ,haughtily. Even
now, your countrymen are throwing
shell into the city, destroying our prop
erty and sacrificing our lives. Think
you Can consent for my daughter to
wed with one of them :"
THAT / am an American should
weigh well in the NATTER" said limiting
ton, proudly. ''If the city falls"
at will notw exclaimed Don Jose,
impatiently.
''If the city falls" resumed the Amer
lean. without noticing the interruption,
land doubt not that it will, my name
would be u protection"
81 need no protection replied the
Don. The city needs no more. We
can hold it against double the rabhle
that composes the American army. We
are three to one, and have the advantage
Of position"
Then you give me an unqualified
negative, Don JOSEF
You can call it nothing else, Senor
Huntington. You are pot the person l
would choose for the Dona Isabel
The insolence of his words and man.
ner brought the hot blood to Mark
Huntingt0n's face, and he dared not
trust himself to reply. Meanwhile, the
Dona Isabel entered the apartment, and
hurriedly whispered to her father. Hun
tington heard the words, and his eyes
lighted with triumph:
The Americans have effected an en-.
trance"
1T is false" exclaimed Don jose
False! every word of it,
He then turned to Huntington:
"You have my answer, SenOr. What
more can l do for you? If there is
nothing else, you would oblige me by
taking your leave"
1t required a powerful viii to suhduc
THE fierce anger that the insult called up
in the breast of Mark Huntington, but
his was equal to the task. With q few
hopeful words to Isabel, and a civil
adieu to her father, he left the house.
Dona Isabel had spoken the truth
The Americans had effected an entrance
into the'city, and wee following up the
advantage. The Mexicahs were fleeing
before them, feebly disputing their ad-
vance.
Huntington picked his way along
very cautiously, for his position Vas
precarious in the extreme. One Amer
lean among Sc many excited MeXicans
stood but little chance He succeeded
in reaching his home, however, and,
buc!lling on his sword, and looking to
the printing Of his pistols, he again
sailed forth.
He hurried back the way he had come.
The Piazza was already scene of strife
and the skulkers were already at their
work of plumber.
Don Jose Canalles WAS yainly endeay-
oring to keep these robbers from his
home: but what could one man do
against dozen. They thrust him aside
and rushed into the dwelling.
Huntington now came up, and, pass
ing Don Jose without q word, followed
the villains. He paused Il moment on
the stairs, for he thought he heard a cry.
1t WAS repeated.
Save me, Mark. Why will you not
Gomez
He knew that voice, and thrasting
aside two men that attempted to bar his
passage, he flew to Isabel's room and
burst open the door.
He was just in time Already one vii
lain held her with rude grasp, while u
second was removing the jewels she
wore. Drawing his sword he sprang to
the rescue, and after short but sharp
struggle with the plunderers, drove them
from the house,
The Americans now had entire pos
session Of the city, and order was re-
stored. BY the eNertions of Mark Hunt
ington, Don Jose Canalles had seen but
little trouble from the enemy. The pro
lection that he ''did not need had been
very welcome. nevertheless, anG he felt
almost good-natured toward Hunting
ton.
They were sitting in the same room
they had occupied in the morning, and
Huntington, taking courage from the
change in Don Jose's manner, agair
broached the subject that was nearest
his heart.
The naughty, insolent manner with
which his advances had been received
in the morning was again assumed by
Don Jose.
My answer was final, Senor Hunt
ineton, and the remarks that followed it
apply equally well to the present mo-
ment"
81 understand you now. Don jose >
said Mark "but your answer has come
too late. Anticipating a refusal, / took
time by the forelock. We are married y
Mark expected an outburst of fierce,
uncomfortable anger, and was, there
fore, unprepared for the icy calmness
with which tho Don racpivpt the dpul3-