The National tribune., 1900-06-21

and couldn't speak their dialect-and that
Degiff was forbidden TO go to the hacienda
l told him if he would get me some paper,
pen and ink l would write her n message.
and he could send it by some one.
When the writing material was set before
me, / discovered for the first time that was
nervous. | had forgotten how to spell
almost anything in the Spanish language,
but after lot of studying, l succeeded In
asking her to come and see me, as l was
condemned to die at an early hour.
They were arranging for my execution
when she arrived. She ran TO me, and
throwing her arms around my neck. kissed
me, and sobbed aloud She then ran to the
Lieutenant, bowed at his feet and in broken
| English begged him TO pardon me. as she
would pawn her life on my innocence.
SQUARING ACCOUNTS.
You may think this story is too romantic,
| too much of a fairy tale, or what you may.
but that request of the senorita's was grant
| ed and the Lieutenant received in exchange
for it kiss from her lovely lips. | was
| free, and all the work Of the pretty Senorita.
| Now every one seemed to be friendly with
| me again, but | fear i acted coldly with
every one except the subordinate and lnez,
with whom l was very friendly indeed:
That day was spent very pleasantly.
! The senorita remained with us until late
| in the afternoon, when the Lieutenant
actually allowed me to escort her home.
/ returned to camp after dark, and at
| the picket | met with more trouble; he
| demanded to know who | was, and told me
| to give the countersign. Well, knew the
subordinate hardly ever changed it during
the week, so | at once blurted out, "Remem-
ber the Alamo" as that was what it had
been two or three days ago. But the
subordinate had changed it tonight, and
what it was | didn't know; but when the
fellow spoke again knew it was the voice
pf Mot Gordon I ulCf rnIIfoiN told him
who | was and that he knew it was me, so
he could let me pass. Mat said he would,
and also gave me the coIInterSlgn, as they
had double picket guard tonight, ex-
pecting an attack from both Indians and
MeXcanS.
Everything went on smoothly, with the
exception that | was 10 longer scout;
but had one consolation-Degiff had been
deprived of this position also. Degiff and
| were enemies; we hated each other, but
we were peaceable.
But finally things took turn. The
Lieutenant gave us back our Old positions.
This was now in the month of June, 1S43,
and the very first time | secuted again !
went north. and called at the hacienda.
That was not all did, but | also proposed
to marry the senorita, whereupon she
declined my offer, stating that she was
already engaged.
1t was too much for me. l knew Degiff
was the favored one. and that / had been
deceived.
Two days later, as was reclining on the
green grass near the bank Of the Rio Grande,
Degiff came to me and holding out his hand
said: "Prest, l congratulate you"
/ did not know what he meant, SO !
promptly asked him to explain himself;
whereupon he said: "You have got the
promise Of the senorita TO be your wife.
| proposed this morning, and she told me
that her heart and hand" was claimed by
another; of course that is you. | was a
fool to think / was the favored one, but i
had faint hope that | was. Again, /
congratulate you"
"You are very sadly mistaken" replied.
81 proposed to her two days ago, and she
told me the same she told you"
So thought it was Degiff. Degif thought
it was me, but come TO the truth of it, ii was
neither of us. The next day news reached
us from a camp located a few miles below
that an armiStice had been made between
Texas and Mexico. each agreeing that there
should be absolute peace. everlasting
peace, till formal declaration of return
to war was made by one or both parties,
and the article was signed on June 10, 1843.
We also got orders to return to Austin.
We left the next day. | started for home
without taking leave of the pretty senorita,
She was a Mexican, and we had squared
accounts.
There is not much more to be told.
When l reached San Antonia, there |
stopped, for whom should / find but my
uncle, who had opened up land office
in that historical old city.
(Ihe end)