The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-08
r-r,n stranger than Fiction.
TI.o,,sy,,,e CourierJonrnal.]

lI.ON
,,.,,, tbe year 1901 Elias P. Bean, lad
:. aaven,ean' started with party OF RATS
,,,.n hound from the Holston to the Mis-
s;ss;nn;, They floated down from Beans
station. trading by the way, lost their
raft upon the Muscle Shoals, and, hav-
inc purchased drove OF horses, con.
timed their journey overland toward
hatcher, Here young Bean met the
lannon's frontiersman Captain Nolan, VINO
was about starting an expedition into
Arkansas. He Joined this party, SteallnS
au,av from his brothers, whom he lett 10
~at,,rn home without him, overnight.
anar many UPS and downs the detach-
,,,n,t ~ Nolau's command, embracing our
hero. was captured by the indiahs some
where close upon the Texan border, neah
and a companion escaped from tue thalans
only 10 be rccaptured by the spaniards, VINO
took them prisoners to the ora towu VI pan
Antonio. Here, aftor awhiie, thes WERE
released on parole, and, having tuIh ao'
tar;nr things easy and genius for work,
tho Younger OF the two Americans set
himself to learning the trade OF 4 halter.
Tie succeeded so well that in three years
he became the fashion, began to make
money. fell In love with \ native beauty, ana
was making strides toward his fortune,
when. in an unyuarded momentum oppor-
unity to escape presenting itSclt-he yield
ed TO sudden fit of inconsistencies, aban-
doned his business, deserted his sweet
heart. and fed. He was pursued. over
taken. brought back, and, rs penalty, sent
across the Rio Grande and over the MeNlque
mountain. to the Pacific seas. In other
words. they took him to Acapulco. where
he was thrown into prison. He occupied
dungeon in the old fortress for six years,
his only comrade scorpion, which he
tanned and took into his affections.
In 1872 the first Mexican insurrectlon
against the Spanish power broke out. III
was led by Padre Morclos, 4 diSsolute
priest, but patriot, soldier. and states
man. Reaching the sad old seaport
where Bean was confined II released
him-a prisoner OF half dozen years put
a man OF undininished strength and ardorr,
a little into his thirties, and perhaps all
the better for his long confinement lie
sought the insursent camp ana leader.
Norelos. seeing before him an American
who spoke two languages like q native, a
stalwart, soldierly fellow, Just out OF
prison and eager for active employment,
gave him first his confidence and then ms
love. He became chief OF staff, next gene
raj of brigade, next general OF division, and
smote the Spaniard hip and thigh. AL
length, the contest growing imminent, a
more delicate, il not more dangerous,
business presented itself. Morelos had
loved, seduced, and caioled from her
home noble Spanish damsel, whom, for
many wears, he had concealed in the
mountains. She had borne him single
child, q son. In the midst OF the strug-
gle, and at the critical point, she died.
The son was too young to go into the
field. He could not be left anywhere to
take care OF himself. There was really no
safe place in all Mexico. So Moreios sent
for Bean to counsel what should be done.
Bean represented that arms and munitions
of war were wanted; believed he could ne
eotiate for these in the States, and proposed
that be should kill the two birds with one
stane-carrv the lad out OF harms way ana
bring back the needed military supplleS.
N orelos was delighted, and Bean was dis
patched on his double mission. He sue
ceeded admirably; but when ne got
back Morelos had been captured ana
shot, and. for the time being, the revolution
was at an end. The sou OF the Priest Presl-
dent, as the Mexicans delight to cal the
great Padre Morelos, grew up to be the Ia
NOUS General Almonte, his guardian ana
friend to be q feld-marshal, and the richest
man in Mexico; where, ut Jalapa, IN lS4S,
our victorious army found him hale OLD
man, retired from active life, and living IN
vast splendor, surrounded by an extensive
progeny. OF his children hut one rose to
distinction-the black sheep Of the family
fellow by the name Of Cortinas. not I'M
known to fame