The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-01-17
From the Escambia Standard, Pollard, Ala.l
A Sketch from Texas Life.
BY MRS. SUE S. BEDFORD.

There are many pleasures connected
with western frontier life, to one who
owes to contemplate the beauties of
nature as exhibited in the variety of
scenery that meets the eye in every
direction. From the blooming prairie,
whose lovely flowers lade the summer
air with softest fragrance, or the rich
valleys overspread with natures own
verdant carpetings, to the grand old
mountains, whose lofty SUBMITS almost
pierce the bright blue canopy, that like
an Angel of Peace, overreaches the
scene. The eye is constantly enchanted
by the wild picturesque beauty. In
looking abroad upon this landscape of
almost primeval loveliness, one is prone
to think that the polluting breath Of
sin has never penetrated this lonely
retreat. But, alas the delusiOn is soon
dispelled; for oh, how often are the
hearts of those, whose aspirations lead
from nature up to natures God, sad
dened, when the holy calm of the Sab
bath morning is broken by the loud
report of the hunters gun, whose echoes
reverberate along the mountain defiles,
starting the mother bird from her quiet
nest, and the little squirrel from its
timid perch upon limb; or by the dis
tant sound of horses hOOts, as the
reckless cOw-driver gallops over the
rocky hills, regardless alike of the laws
of man, the sanctity of the day, or the
restraints thrown around it by the
divine precepts of Him "Who rested on
the Sabbath day and hallowed it,"
But we took not our pen to moralize
upon the recklessness or degeneracy of
frontiersmen, but merely to give an
illustrative sketch of their trials aud
sutferings.
1t was beautiful evening in the
autumn of 1S-. An unclouded sun
was just sinking in grandeur behind a
long range of mountains, known as
Packsaddle, whose sloping sides spread
out forming an extensive valley, along
which runs the Llano river, whose
murmuring waters, as they sweep rest
lessly over their pebbly bed, gladdens
the heart of many weary one whose
cottage chances to stand upon its messy
banks; and the tired traveller pauses
to refresh himself from the limpid
stream, or gather the tempting mustang
grapes from the vines overshadOwing
its seuuestered bosom, vibrate grace
fully to the whispering of the winds
among their leaves.
There are few settlements in that
country, and the bounding deer, fear
, less of danger, chase each other, while
countless herds of cattle and horses run
wild over the hills and valleys-the
latter furnishing a pretext for the nu-
merous depredations of the Comanche
Indians, who, coming in, drive them
away, and find safe retreat among the
lofty mountains farther west.
There was some fear entertained by
the settlers, at the time of which l
write-which was during the period
when our country was groaning under
the weight of commotion-that the
Indians-while our armies were en-
gagged elsewhere-would come down in
numbers and massacre the whites, and
possibly, which was far more distress
ing, carry into captivity some Of the
youths and maidens, which they had
done in several instances. But we are
DEPRESSING.
As the last rays of the setting sun
were reflected from the mountain sum
mits. hope, which with its gentle intlu-
ence had buoyed up the spirits of Mrs
Clifton through the day, deserted her,
and as the dusky hour of twilight deep
ened. she was seized with fearful appre-
tensions for the safety of her husband
who had gone out early in the morning
with Mr.. More and others. for the pur'
pose of killing a beef which ran among
the rugged detiles of the mountains. II
that grassy region, the cattle unused tc
restraint, cannot be driven, and there
fore, beeves are killed, dressed, aut
conveyed home in wagons, and for thu
sake of mutual protection from th'
Indians, the settlers so out In compa
MES.
Ye who have never looked upon thu
red man of the forest, nor seen hi
moccasin tracks near the door of you
own homes. Yewho have never seel
the tears of the widow and the orphan
wrung from them by the merciless hant
of the savage, can little realize the ter
ror that would seize upon the heart o
wife, or mother, when II beloved on'
was delayed moment beyond the ap