Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-08-13

Had she been kissed before?
samuel M1nttsrTs Peck, in The Century.
A MEXICAN ROMANCE.
It was in the month of March, in the
year 1847, and the feet of the United
States, with the army under Gen. Scott
on board, lay before the city of Vera
Cruz. All the morning the guns of the
feet had poured their shot upon the
castle of San Juan de Ulloa, which COM
manded the city, and on the beach
where the Mexican army had gathered
to oppose the landing of the Americans.
Finally the heavy fire drove the Mex
leans from the beach, and they retired
to the castle and the city.
Then the boats of the ships were low
cred away, and arranged themselves in
long line, parallel with the beach.
Soldiers. sailors and marines filed the
boats, and in the bows, all along the
line, there stood sailor, with one foot
on the gunwale, who held flag furled
around the staff in his hand. Not a
sound was heard but the splashing of
the waves against the boats, and all
eyes were turned toward the flagship
az the sailors lay on their oars awaiting
the signal to advance. A little ball of
bunting spread up to the masthead of
the flagship, and then unrolled itself,
spread out into the watched for signal.
"Give wayl" The oars fell into the
water from end to end of the long line,
as if moved by one gigantic impulse,
and race for the.shore is begun. Fin
ally one OF the boats grated on the sand,
the sailors in the bows leaped to the
beach, and amid Wild hurrahs unfurled
the American flag on the hostile shores
of Mexico.
Among the officers in the boat which
first touched the shore that day was q
young lieutenant of infantry named
Edward Ives.
In person the young lieutenant was
of medium height, and of slight but
firm build, with light hair and blue
eyes. His face was Drowned by ex-
posure to the weather, and his expression
was one of courage and decision of
character. He was recently graduated
from West Point, and as yet love, ex-
cept that of kindred, was to him but q
name. In fact, though only twenty
four, Ives was known among the officers
of his regiment as @the bachelor" he
having announced to each of them in
the "strictest confidence" that he con-
sidered all men who got married slightly
insane.
"Mr. Ives, "saidthe young ieutenant's
captain soou after the landing had been
effected, "the colonel wants a scout
made in the direction of that house
over yonder. Take half q dozen men
and go see what there is there and re-
port to me"
The house which Edward Ives ap-
preached with his scouting party was
situated in grove of palms and giant
ferns, something over mile from shore.
At the main entrance of the house stood
a wagon, in which some Indian servants
were loading the household effects of
the family. A tall Mexican, of middle
age, was experimenting the operation,
and gesticulating violently with his
cane, as he urged the Indians to greater
efforts. Near by stood a young girl of
nineteen, of SURPRISING beauty. On her
olive cheek there was warm flush, and
her dark eyes we're hid beneath long,
dark lashes. She wore Spanish man
tilla over her head and shoulders, and
altogether formed a most charming
picture.
The approach of Lieut.. Ives and
his men had been SO cautious that he
was close to the honse before his pres
ence was perceived. One of the
Indians saw him first, and catching
sight of the blue uniform, uttered an
exclamation and fled precipitately, fol-
lowed by all his companions. The
Mexican gentleman who had been SUI
perintending the loading of the wagon
turned his head, aud, seeing that there
was no escape and no chance of success
full resistance, stood proudly waiting
for the lieutenant to speak. His
daughter grasped her fathers arm, and
a pallor overspread her face.
"Fear nothing, senor," said Lieut..
Ives, in Spanish. II have only
come to see if there are any soldiers
concealed hereabouts.'
"Fear!" returned the Mexican. "We
do not fear Northern invaders and lob
bers. We hate and despise them"
Before the lieutenant had time to re-
ply, soldier ran up and exclaimed:
"A party of Mexican cavalry are right
on us, sirp
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth when, with clanking sabres and
jingling spur, thirty horsemen dashed
through the trees.
The Americans made desperate re-
sistance, during which four of the Mex
leans were killed, but were soon over
powered. The young lieutenant
fought brsvely, using his sword, uutil
sabre cut in his sword arm forced
him to desist.
From the wild and picturesque dress
of his captors, Lieut.. Ives saw that
they were a party of Mexican guerillas
fierce and cruel men, out of whose
hands few escaped alive.
The night was now falling, and the
Mexicans hurried their prisoners into
the house. The lamps were lighted in
q large apartment, from which most of
the furniture had been removed. and
the leader of the band, fierce looking
man of gigantic stature, whose features
showed plainly the Indian blood that
was in his veins, seated himself in q
chair, and, lighting cigarette ordered
the prisoners to be brought before him.
The Americans who, with their arms
bound behind them, had been huddled
in one corner of the room, were left to
the captain of the guerillas, who was
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