Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-10-15

corn and such vegetables as could be in
duced to grow by irrigation, raised herd
of goats and large quantities of chickens
which he sent or took to the nearest tow,
besides being blacksmith and jobber t,
passing travellers and to the ncighborin.
haciendas. He thus managed to make ou
comfortable living for himself, Anita ane
the old crone, who l ascertained was hi
mother.in.law. This was the present bu
it was Of the past wanted to hear.
How long have you been in this coun
try p 1 asked, as we sat smoking our af
ter dinner pipes.
Some fifteen years."
"Why, that was about the time of The
Mexican war"
"Just so. You hit the nail on the head
this time, for came here in the midst
Of it,"
"Won't you tell me about it,"
No objection" said he, though il
isn't much after it is told. l was born in
Maryland" he continued, "and was the
youngest of seven children, consequently
they would not think much of their baby
if they could see him now," and he gave
one Of his short quick laughs. "I don't
think the homefolks would recognize the
beauty of the family, the curly. headed blue
eyed baby Silas. It's we'll to tell people OF
some things, or they'd never find it out,
and my good looks is one of them but il
is true, nevertheless. Well l was pretty
much as all babies of seventeen are, as
harcn-scarem scamp as King Charles
county could boast, and my wild doiuss
were talked of far and wide. Twas seven
teen when the Mexican war broke out, and
| declared my intentions of joining the
army. You may be sure there was ter
riblc to do about it; but the upshot was
that went down to New Orleans with my
regiment before they found was in earn
est. l received lots of letters telling me
what naughty boy was yet begging me
to come back, but they didn't do much
good. was in for it, aud liked it first
rate, too. We got down to Mexico, and
then it wasn't all fun, marching through
chapparel and doing heavy duty, but
liked the fighting right well, and we got
plenty Of it under old 9: Fuss and Fcath-
ers"
At last, at the battle of Chcrubusco,
was knocked over and never knew any
thing until opened my eyes in just such
a looking place as this, and saw the pref
ticst face had ever seen bending over me.
Then | heard voice, and although
didn't understand a word, as my education,
especially the Spanish part, had been some
what neglected, thought it must be an
angel if angels talk, it sounded so soft and
liquid. Then the yong girl clappcd her
hands, and presently an old lady, who
wasn't made any handsomer by contrast.
came and stood along side of me too.
didn't make much hcadway understanding
her jargon, but managed to make out that
they were pleased at something. 1t was
not long, however, before | found out that
if ever opened my eyes to the daylight l
had to thank them for it, for my wounds
were dressed, and teas and other doctoring
poured down my throat. l might have
been little afraid Of drinking them if
hadn't been too weak to care what became
of me. I did not get my strength very
1uoV ~ wac a. SOOu tulCC uOutuS
before l was able to creep.
In the meantime had learned great
deal of their language, for it would have
been sorry fellow of seventeen that would
not learn with such teacher. had ia.
ken another lesson and learned it by heart,
that was love for the pretty Anita, aud l
felt mighty 10th to return to duty. Be.
sides, Anita assured me the war was al
most over. l was glad enough to believe
her, for she would cry at the thought Of
my leaving her, and my own heart felt so
heavy; at last ! concluded to marry her.
That's just what did, and would not
exchange her for the fairest lady in old
Maryland. l have seen you watch her,
and l needn't ask you if she is not the
handsomest woman you've seen for many
a day, and Silas Wright followed, with
eyes beaming with love, the form of his
wife, as she passed to aud fro at her daily
tasks.
"How did it happen that they saved
you" SAID /, we'll pleased at what l had
heard.
"All on account of those blue eyes aud
curling hair. 1t seems she went over the
battlefield, as many Of the Mexican wo-
men did, and took a fancy to my baby
face" "Hallo Anita" he cried sud-
denly in Spanish, can't you call me If
you want watcr?" and with one or two
strides he was by her side and had filed
her jar with water.
"That's the way have made her for
get the baby face" he resumed, coming to
my side. Here the women are all hew.
ers of wood and drawers of water; but
that was not what I'd been taught home
aud I've never acted with her any differ.
emily than if she'd been one Of our own
woman; so she thinks me something above
mortals, rough and uncouth as may seem
to you"
"Did you never write home"
"No, not |. What was the use?
was reported missing; that was as good as
dead. The old folks, no doubt, cried over
me for dead so it was all over, and there
| W ISN'T anv usc in havinr all this fls, Ovcl