The National tribune., 1900-06-07


be respected; although he keeps himself
solitude in one of the larger cities Of Texas.
We have put this story~in as simple langu-
age and as briefly as we thought would be
admissible.-A. NJ. L.
FROM HOME TO BORDER.
When the Congress of the Republic of
Texas called for volunteers TO enlist in the
militia and Rangers, my youthful blood
ran warm for adventure. / hoped TO
enlist in a band of Rangers, see the West,
and perform some deed Of valor that would
make my name famous. / was Just 20,
and / believe handsome youth. though |
had seen many hardshiIs, being left an
orphan very young. TO be brought uD by a
bachelor uncle, who lived in New Orleans.
My uncle had once lived among the Mexi-
cans, and could tell me stories of their
treacherous work by the hour. My sym
pathy was with the Texans, and when the
call for volunteers Was made ii December.
1872, | lost no time IN taking leave If my
uncle, and hurried To jim their ranks to
protect the land for which they had so
nobly fought
Along the roads / heard stories Of the
invading Mexicans massacre cf Texans.
Everywhere men We're rushing to enlist.
On a cold wintry evening in January,
1S43, came upon q squad Of men on the
bank of a creek = few miles east a. f Houston.
tenant of Texas revolutionary fame Us
their commander, and we're making hastv
preparations 10 break camp. | made
known the cause Gf my presence. and
was ushered into the LicUtenaut's quarters.
Saluting, | said:
Il have come FROM New Orleans 10 enlist
as Texas Ranger. and wUu.ld Ike IL
Join your comUauN."
Il am glad to sec that the Americans
are coming into our ranks. l.c replied with
smile, but We need men who have mus
taches on their lips and ncrTcs IN their
/ fear you are too young i ou see. this
sort OF adventure differs from fishing
party or a deer-hult IL the bottoms. Good
evening, sir" and lie turned to converse
with subordinate officer.
left his quarters with a heavy heart.
Had come this FAR oiiyto he disappointed:
At first | thought 81 returning home. but
1 had come 10 Texas for Il purpose, and
accomplish it | would
just outside of the officers quarters !
met clever-lookiag Young man. eyi-
IDENTIFY a subordinate officer. He SalUted
me kindly. and expressed 4 hope that |
had come TO Join their ranks. / told him
Of my interview with the commander
III get you inside our fort and breast
works, never fear he said with a smile,
and passed on.
/ then began 10 study how to get the
Lieutenant 10 take me ia" as they called
it.
That night, wlie preparations for an
early move III the morning We're icing
made, was getting ready 10 induce The
Lieutenant TO believe had mrlstachp and
nerve. took my pocketkuife and cut u
bunch Of name from a horse standing
nearby. Smoothing out the hair nicely.
fastened the bunch 10 my upper lip with
a bit Of red glue that brought from home.
Being satisfied with my malic-up | turned
in and slept few hours.
On hearing the call. arouse" turned
out, and found 10 my dismay that | had
rubbed of lot Of my mustgche ! hur-
rledly replaced it with more glue and then
went to the officers quarters 80 make ap-
plication for enlistment
The Lieutenant had uist awakened
Rubbing his eyes, he locked at ne with a
sleepy gaze, and turning 10 his Aid said.
Il guess he will do, Take his name"
Yes; he is a little older than he was
YESTERDAY, the clerk replied. You see, one
night In camp has produced a fine mus
tache on his face"
The Lieutenant. bewildcred. asked wbut
was that; whereupon the clerk explained
that L had been rejected the day before on
account OF my smooth face, bat | had ap-
peared before them this morning with =
hne mustache, much like the lieuienant's.
only grade cOarser. The Lieutenant
took hold Of my false muStache.
BY Pedro" he exclaimed. If that ism
tne worst trick ever heard OF for baby;
though if he can play trick Ike that on
me, maybe he could do other things What
Is your name my boyE'
Karl Prest. sir. answered
IN IT AT LAST
Ranger Prest you are now a member of
my band, which Will march within an
hour toward the Capital Of the Republic of
Texas, and there YOU viii be formally
enlisted as a Texas Ranger" Everything
was soon in readiness for our march 10
!Austln, which would have been two or
three days journey. but when we arrived
AZ Houston, about noon Of the same dav,
we found President Houston and staff.
several State officers and about a thousand
soldlers: The President had considered
~ unsafe to remain al Austin. hence had
Capital. 81
Lieut. Small, our commander, went to