The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-01-27

udNci. was uot SotiI Ot thC CASuSCr toi was anxious to learn something of my host. On inquiry found that he oulti- vated Indian corn and such vegetables as could be induced to grow by iffiga- ton. raised herds of goats and large quantities of chickens, which he sent or took 10 the nearest town-besides being blacksmith and wheel wright to passing travellers and to the neighboring haoien- das. He thus managed to eke out d comfortable living for himself, Anita and the old Crone, who l asoertained was his mother-in-law. This was the present. but il was of the past l wanted 10 hear.
 How long have you been in this country!' 1 asked, as we were smoking our after-dinner pipes.
 "Some fifteen years.
 Mexican war.
 Just so You've hit the nail on the head this time for came here in the midst of it.
 Wont you tell me about il v
 No objections, he said, though 1t isn't much after it's told. 1 was born way up in Maryland" he continued, and was the youngest of seven children, con sequen;ly was the baby of the family. They wouldn't think much of their baby If they could see hlm now, and he gave me one of his short. quick laughs. '.l don't think the homcfolk would reoog- nize the beauty of the family. the curly headed. blue-eyed baby Silas. It's we'll 10 tell people of some things, or they'd never ind them out. and my good looks t.r Nf tb tbaIa Well, l was pretty much, as all babies Of seventeen arc. IS harum- arum scamp as King Charles county could boast, and my wild doings were talked of far and wide. was seventeen when the Mexi- can war broke out, and declared my in- tentIon of joining the army. You may be sure there was terrible to do about it but the upshot was that 1 was down to New Orleans with my regiment before the old folks fouad out was Tn earnest. received lots of letters telling me what a naughty boy was, yet begging me to come back, but they didn't do much good. was in for 1t, and liked it first rate. too. We got down to Mexico. and then il wasn't Ill tnn. marching through chapparals and doing heavy duty but liked the fighting right we'll. and we got plenty of II under old Fuss and Feath- ers.'
 At last. Tn the battle of Churubuseo, was knocked over and never knew any thing until opened iny eyes in just such d looking place IL ths, and saw the pret- tlcst face I'd etet seen. bending over me. Then l heard voice. and although didn't understand a word, as my eduea- ton, especially the Spanish part had been somewhat neglected. thought Il must be an angels. if angels talk. |, sounded 70 soi, and liquid. Then the young girl olapped her hands, and pres en,y an old lady, who wasn't made any handsomer by contrast, came and stood along side of me too. didn't make much headway understanding her largon, but managed to make out that they were pleased .rt something. IL was not long. however before found out that If 1 ever opened my eyes 10 the dayligh, had them to thank for II. for my wounds were dressed. and teas and other doc,oriny poured down my throat l might have been a l!ttle afraid of drinking them If hadn't been too weak to care much what became ot me. did not gc, my strength very fast though, and II was good three months before was able to creep about
 In the meantime l had learned d grca, deal ot ihclr language, for t would have been sorry fellow ot nineteen that would not learn with such q teacher. had taken another lesson and learned t by heart, that WAS love for the pretty Anita, as felt mighty 10th to regrrn ,o r.sH II was almos, over. was glad enough Id believe her, for she would cry so al 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 l would not exchange her for the fairest lady in old Maryland. I've seen you watch her, and needn't ask you If she isn't the handsomest woman you've seen for many q day" and Silas Wright followed. with his eyes beamlng with love, the form of his wife, as she passed to and fro at her daily tasks.
 How did it happen that they saved you :: said l, well pleased at what had heard
 All on account of these same blue eyes and curling hair. It seems she went over the battlefield, as many of the Mexican women did, and took fancy to my baby face. ''Hallo Anita, hetrled suddenly, in Spanish, cant you call me ii you want water:" and with one or two strides he was by her side and had filled her jar with water.
 That's the way I've made her forget the baby face" he resumed. coming to my side. Here the women are all hew- CTS of wood and drawers of water but that wasn't what I'd been tanght al home, and I've never acted any different ly than i: she'd been one of our own women so she thinks me something above mortals. rough and uncouth as may seem to you.
 Did you never write home
 No, no, !. What was the use. was missing, ,ha, was as good as dead. The old folks. no doub'. cried over me for dead, so ii was all over. and there wasn't any use of having the fuss all over again. Beside they might not have liked their daugh,er-in-law, and wouldn't give her up for the best estate