Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-12-02
Ny Watch and Chain.

1t was in the year le47 when a small
force was left to hold Puebla, that for
tune cast my lot to remain there for gar
rison duty while the army marched
away to deeds of yalor and glory.
well remember how sadly we watched
the long blue lines disappear on the road
that lead to the capita, aud how we de-
precated the necessity that compelled II,
to stay behind to keep the rear open for
our advancing comrades. We mad no
idea then that we should have plenty OF
fighting on our hands and be forced to
stand Il seige that at one time looked as
if it would be terminated by the heavy
body OF Mexican troops (that surround
ed us) swarming over our hastily erected
breastwork.
For sometime afler the departure of
Gen. Scott, VT had matters pretty much
our own way, and were apparently on
good terms with The populace. Many
little courtesies were constantly passing
between us, and we began to congratu-
late ourselves OH our comfortable situa.
tion, when rumor ran through the gar
rison that a very large cavalry force Of
the the enemy had appeared in town
to the southward, some fourteen miles
distant. No one could tell from W b nee
the report emenated, aud the fact that
our spics-ard we had an efficient corps
i'll our pay-had given the colonel COM
manding no such inflammation, caused Us,
after few days had elapsed, 10 doubt
the rumor aud ultimately to Danish it
from our minds. So we resigned our
selves to security, and went on with ke-
no and monte, smoking cigarettes and
drinking 'pulque,' with as little concern
as il we had been at home in one OF our
own cities.
/ had been sick with low type Of fe-
yer at Vera Cruz and when | arrived al
Puebla | had permission to live for n
while at a private house instead of join
ing mess and taking quarters in barracks
The woman at whose house | made
my temporary home, was named Garcia,
and had husband at the time serving
in the Mexican ranks, but 1. was not
aware of the fact. Sonora Garcia had
two daughters, Antonio, the eldest, was
about sixteen, aid Carmen, the young
est, was six. She also had u nephew
on her husbands side named Angel,
who lived in her family. This Young
boy was apparently twelve years old,
and quite au intelligent lad
1t did not take me long to make my
self at home, and | think had the good
will of the family to the very last. In
deed, rs lar as related to Antonia, she
gave me the most ample proof Of her
disin;erested friendship.
She was a frank, free girl, without a
particle of prudery in her nature. She
one day laughingly warned me not 10
tall in love with her, as she was destined
for convent lite.
Il should have taken the veil ere this,
she remarked but this unhappy war ol
yours determined me TO stay with m v
mother until peace comes then must
leave them all
A few days afterward, Angel Garcia
came into the house with his face very
pale.
whats the matter, Angelo p we ali
cried out at once.
The poor boy was so agitated that he
could not reply Immediately, but after 4
few moments stated that he had seer
some American soldiers shot down by
Mexicans outside the city limits, wher,
they had been stTaying.
Putting on my hat, | went out on th'
, plaza, but no one seemed TO have heart
of the affair." therefore returned to tn,
house and requested Angel to show IN
the spot. To tell the truth, did no
believe word OF the story, but though
the boy had magnied the occurrence h
professed TO have seen.
Don't go, senior he exclaimed, 'yo'
had better stay here
III you are afraid, I'll go myself l an
; swered, looking at him reproachtully.
5 i am not afraid he replied, 'thougl
: I don't wish to be shot, or see you kille'
y ether
perhaps you had better not go out
n senior, be content, and stay where yc
= are said Antonia.
d TO show you how little / credit wha
IS Angel has seen,' | replied, Il here bestoV
= this upon you if do Lot return and
h took the gold watch from my pocke
If and threw the chain over her neck.
Il will pray for YOU she said, as
turned away from the house. 'Ange
don't leave the SENIOR she cried.
Afier some twenty minutes walk W
a came to the open country, and Ange
d pointed little way ahead, remarking-
II THAT'S the place, though don't see an
a one now
e Scarcely had he uttered these word
e ere l felt my arms pinioned from behind
it aud / was prisoner. In an instan
|" there were dozen lancers by my side
10 They had been seereted in some bushes
10 while their horses were concealed in
If hollow near by.
n Angel, poor boy, fed, weeping pitt
ously. while my captors proceeded t