San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-07-03
OFF WINDMILL ISL


the odor OF roses and the streets were
embowercd in voraurc, but Gounds OF
martial music floating down from Chest
nut street brought homo 10 every heart
the chilling remembrance that war was
raging in tho country and that tho issue
was rs yet in tho balance, PARKWAY from
the din, out In tho open folds west OF
tho Pine Street Presbyterian church,
was settlement in which but little
heed was being paid TO tho uproar. The
colony existing in tho tiny cabins hud-
died together had nothing in common
with the Continental armies except u
deep, unrelenting hatred Of the English.
This evening tho strangers gathered in
little knots and conversed in quiet, I'M
familiar accents, the mon smoking their
long pipes, and tho women knitting
in a slow, measured fashion, In n
French patois they told The children
stories Of their ever 10 DO remembered
land fur in the north, the villages and
farms, ald the cruelty Of the British in
Wrestling from them their beloved Acadia,
turning them nlrift in strange coun'
try separated from their kindred and
every homo TO. After all tho years
which had elapsed since their coming to
tho City Of Penn. tho Acadians were
simply sojouraers, not citizens. Few Of
them had any acquaintance with tho
inhabitants OF the city, and but = small
number could spcal; tho English Ian
guagc. The industrious Qualicrs did
not take kindly TO tho INDECENT habits OF
tho refugees, hence ii 10 not TO DO won
dercd at that tho Acadian3 had no inter
course with their neichbors, and strcnu-
ously sought to deter their children from
making connections outside OF their own
people.
Tho young aro apt 10 10 pHrvcrso, how
ever, and tho French blood in their veins
was too volatile TO DO easily controlled.
In one Of the cabins had o maiden gone
to and fro through the long hours of the
day now drawing TO close busted with
the house work, but with heart beating
high, for she llnl heard that the troops
were expected to arrive in the city dur
ing the day, and thoughts of her brave
Willie with his blue and buff uniform
and three cornerod hat, had driven al
other subjects from her mind. Littlo her
parents guessed of her secret, and, al
though they noticed her prcoccupicd
manner, they did not attribute it to the
proper cause.
Now that dusk had como she impa~
ticntly awaited the timo when they
should tal.o their usual stroll TO ncighbor
Minot's doorstep for tho accustomed
chat. When at length tho old folks were
safely away, she tied light shawl over
her head and sped along the path to Pine
street, then down that thoroughfaro to
Third street, carefully avoiding the open
door of st. Peters, through which
strcamed food Of light. In Third
street sho reduced her pace, and slowly
walking under the trees she finally
reached St. Joseph's church, looming up
in tho fast gathering darkness beside the
humble dwellings, Of the Quaker poor.
She knew slo had started too early TO
meet her lover. 30 she entered tho sacred
ediiice, and after spending u few minutes
in prayer, or rather in silence, for her
feelings were too tumultuous to be
Gained, again sought The open cir.
Third street was deserted, but square
below the p:vements were crowded.
News had como of q battle, and the
pulse of the people was at fever heat.
Louise cared not FOX tho news Of the
war 80 long % her lover was safe, and
now she waited alsiou5ly at the tiysting
place. One o" two persons hurried past,
too eager to hear the latest tiding8 to
notice her. A soldier released from his
duties came down the street anxious to
get home again. She drew back in the
ehadow. Soon she heard the step Of
vigorous man, and peering through the
twilight saw the glitter Of another uni
form. Tho mal came closer, AID she
perceived he was young and stalwart,
with u bold, masculine face, which,
though in measure attractive, had
stampei upon it traces OF sensualism
and rough living, sach rs is noticeable
in the countenance3 Of soldiers who have
been on long campaign.
Ill this tho GiIl noticed by the dim
light Of tho lamp fixed on the WATCHDOG
near by. The stranger was evidently in
search of so,no one, rs he constantly
pscred around him as ho moved forward,
bat IS ne say? Louise ell doubt vanished.
Walking directly Gp to tho maiden, he
babe her good evening, calling her by
her first name. The girls countcnanca
expressed Mt once annoyance and sur
prise. The cause OF tho irst il easily
IMAGINED, but the manifestation of sur
pliso was only explained wlcI she eiacu'
lated in French:
You here, Jacques? We thought you
had decided 20 stay in Opelousas. And
why in this uniform"
The soldier replied with light laugh:
at is hard TO get rid Of bad penny, you
know. ] found the surroundings Of our
friends in the eouth not suited 10 my
taste. and, having . chance 70 enter the
army, dill SO. tn. came on an Grand
tonight, AID that is TO carry Is message
from your lover"
Although q emile accompanied his
words, the expression Of Jacques eyes
WIS fr- from pleasant, but this Louise
dii nc. notice. She gEasped his arm in
terror.
- message from Willie! WHIST 10 you
mean Is he WJundeIE'
"sSo. no, girl. the iHa. rcplieyl almost
roughly. bat the fact is he was instruct
e1to remain with his company. HEDGES
not Wis 4 e. miss the chance Of seeing you-
Y0,tty Eacc. h5wcve-, am 80 L. asEcl ne
70 meet All accompany Yea % a place
ucar biz psf. where he en- steal O-ss fo1
af5vz ulinztcs a-l g1ret y1u. Eis com
mani is stationed 20 the 81 B-T--clzs o.
Tlo..t -t.cet. 1-d. II yla axe wiling % 81
along. / Will ta,.e yol Up ana hex IN I
bat lyilg below tie dock, which en
sarsl ca NY way"
The mziden vzs rTC-tly P-1t1l0-d
without any sc-ss q fear sbs wo-li
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