The Tupelo journal., 1907-03-22

time, ana SeCCleu QOWH 10 d more
quiet life, went to cultiyating
the rich soil of that wonderful
land; often, however, making
journeys into IL, interior of the
country in o suit of rowing and
maraudin. oands Of indians;
fitting from hand to hanl and
town to town, into fns wilder
ness and back to 4..rm, pass
ing in their fl gns over the vine
clad hills and rolling prairies,
where the wild flowers of Spring
spent their fragrance on the air
and nodded in the western zeph-
yrs, and the grain Of the new
settler waved before the ever
present breeze, as though bow
ing to the oncoming plow and
hoe. Ever and anon they fell
into the company of the Cow
boys" and made long and inter
esting journeys in their western
round ups, and We're often in the
game Of poker, by which they
changed from the hands of the
one to the other. ever laughing
and jolly. Then, again, the
Friends took possession of the
Texas Rangers and moved with
the celerity of lightning to
avenge the maurauding outrages
of the Comanches, and often
drank the blood of the savages
in retaliation for their slaughter
of men, women and children.
Sometimes, at short intervals,
they settled down to the peace
full and peaceable life of farmers;
followed the new made furrow,
dropping in the corn and cotton
seed, scattering the wheat, bar
ley and oats, gathering in the
feecy staple and the golden
grain, at the time of harvest,
branding the cattle in the prop
er season, feeding the porkers
and sailing them down, listening
at the cackling and viewing the
beauty OF the balnyard, and oc-
casionally carving their frames
and dipping into their gravy
from the bountiful tables of the
farmers. But soon
again the tocsin of war would re.
and they were off to the
war again. The Republic of
Mexico seemed to be willing that
the Republic of Texas might re-
main the Lone STAR" but was
not willing that she should enter
the galaxry of the States of the
Union, and when such action
was decided upon, the war cry
was heard throughout the land.
suppose that Mexico thought
as long as Texas remained alone
she had some chance to again re-
cover her territory and re-attach
it to her own domains, but knew
that she would be protected by
the whole power and might of
the United States when she be-
came one of us and as long as
she so remained. In this war
between the United States and
Mexico the Two Friends enlisted
from Texas, and never once. du-
ring the contest fell into the
hands of the enemy. They charg-
ed at Beuna Vista and sustained
the artillery at Re Sacca; scaled
the nights of Chapultepec and
marched at the head of the col
umn into the capital city, there
rested awhile and returned to
the Lone Star State as the white
dove of peace again set
tied over the country. Believing
then that surely there would be
no more war to mar the beauty
and Joy of the land. but still seek.
ing adventure, they joinel them
selves to two old trappers, men
who were ever in advance of
civilization and settlement, and
they trudged with them over the
Buffalo trails of the west, and
parted their way with them
across the Panther tracks of the
jungles bordering the streams Of
those far off lands; Slept beside
the Catawamp's den, and where
the wolves howle ! for their prey,
seeing the fish in the limpid
streams and being ravlshed by
the sweet voice of the birds in
the trees or in their passage in
the heavens above; setting their
traps beside the waters and along
the passage ways Of the wild
varments, viewing the stars
shining through overhanging
boughs, and catching the first
rays Of the sunshine as it glisten
ed in the dewdrops from the
wild flower or the tender grass.
Sometimes they would ascend
some lofty eminence and cast
their enchanted vision over the
most extended plain far below,
peopIed by thousands OF buffalo,
f1anked by an occasional elk and
beautified by the graceful form