Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-09-20
TRUTH STRANGER THAN
TIC2LOW.
FLouisville Courier-Journal. ]

They f1oated down from Beams
station, trading by. the way, lost
their raft upon the. Muscle Shoals,
and, having purchased a drove of
horses, continued their Journey
overland toward Natchez. Here
young Bean met the famous from
tierman Captain Nolan, who was
about starting an expedition into
Arkansas He joined this party,
stealing away from his brothers,
whom he left to return homo with
out him, overnight. After many
ups and downs the detachment of
Nolan's command, embracing our
hero, was captured by the Indians
somewhere close upon the Texan
border Bean and companion
escaped from the Indians only to
be recaptured by the Spaniards,
who took them prisoners to the old
town Of San Antonio. Here, after
awhile, they were released on
parole, and, having a turn for taking
things easy and genius for work,
the younger of the two Americans
set himself to learning the trade of
a halter. He succeeded so well
that i'll three years he became the
fashion, began to make money, fell
i'll love With Il native beauty, ard
was making strides toward his for
tune, when, in an unguarded mo-
ment opportunity to escape
presenting itselt-hc yielded to a
sudden fit of home-sickncss, aban
doncd his business, deserted his
sweet heart, and fed. He was
pursued, overtaken, brought back,
and, as penalty, sent across the
Rio Grade and over the Mexique
mountains to the Pacific seas. In
other words, they took him to Aca-
pulco, where he was thrown into
prison. He occupied dungeon in
the old fortress for six years, his
only comrade a scorpion, which he
tanned and took into his affections.
In 1912 the first Mexican insur,
rection against the Spanish power
broke out. 1t was led by Padre
Morelos, "a dissolnte priest, but a
statesman. Reaching the sad old
seaport where Bean was confined,
| it released lriIn--a prisoner Of halt
a dozen years, but man of undl-
minished strength and ardor, a little
into his thirties, and perhaps all the
better for his long confinement. He
sought the insurgent camp and
leader. Morelos, seeing before him
an American who spoke two lan-
guagcs like a native, a stalwart,
soldierly fellow, just out of prison
and eager for active employment,
gave hlm first his confidence and
then his love. He became chief Of
staff, next general Of brigade, next
general of division, and smote the
Spaniard hip aud thigh. At length
the contest growing imminent, 6
more delicate, If not more danger
Gus, business presented ITSELF
Morclos had loved, seduced, anC
caioled from her home noble
Spanish damsel, whom, for many
years, lie had concealed in the
mountains. She had borne him {
single child, son. In the midst 0
the struggle,s and at the critica
point, she died. The son was too
young to go into the field. HI
could not be left anywhere to take
care of himself. There was reall,
no safe place in all Mexico. S,
Morelos sent tor Bean to counse
what should be done. Beau rep
resented that arms and munition
of war were wanted; believed h
could negotiate for these in til
+ States, and proposed that he shoul
kill the two birds with one stone
carry the lad out of harms way an
bring back the needed military sup
plies. Morelos was delighted, an
Bean was dispatched on his doubl
mission. Hc succeeded admirably
but when he got back Morelos ha
been captured ana shot, and, fc
the tirue being, the revolution VIZ
!, at an end. The son of the Prizes
President, as the Mexicans deligl
to call the great Padre Morelo
a grew up to be the famous Generi
Almonte, his guardian and frien
to be field marshal, and IL
richest man in Mexico; where,
Jalapa, in 184S, our vfctorio'
army found him hale old ma
5, retired from active life, and livir
= in vast splendor, surrounded by {
Ie extensive progeny. OF his childrC
but one rose to distinction-tl
black sheep of the falnily-a felio
by the name cf Cortinas, not n!
known to fame.