The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-02-09
&c &c Go |,
BLACK AND WHITE BEANS
BY BENJAMIN r. SEDLEY.
D &c a. 90

Carlotta de Bonita was awakened
at midnight by the noise of a misstep
made by her father, as he passed her
door. Being of a courageous nature,
and now suspicious of evil intent to-
ward the Americans, she rose from
her bed. hastily put on a wrappe.-
and shawl of dark colors, and fol-
lowed cautiously in his footsteps to
the castle gate, and thence to the
plaza. Here she found a secure hid
ing place behind the trunk of a huge
magnolia, within twenty feet of the
outer rank OF soldiers, and not more
than thirty feet from and directly
facing the alcalde. The low hanging
branches of the tree cast such a shad-
ow about the trunk that she had no
fear of discovery.
Here she listened and heard all
that was spoken by the alcalde and
the officer in command of the SOL
diers.
She had witnessed the triumphant
entry of the victorious Mexican troops
with their squad of twenty Ameri-
cans, and had remarked one of the
captives in particular. This one was
the captain of the Texan Rangers.
Her awakened interest prompted
her to intercede with her father, the
alcalde, in behalf of the unfortunate
prisoners.
She likewise prevailed upon the
jailer to admit her occasionally to
the prison; and, though always in
the tailer's presence, many pleasant
interviews were had between the cap
tain of the Rangers and the alcalde's
daughter, and many baskets of fruit
and other delicacies of the season, not
included in prison fare, found their
way through the doors of the jail for
the captive Texans.
But, although Carlotta succeeded
in alternating the loneliness Of prison
life, and added much to the comfort
OF the imprisoned, and even awoke
a feeling of more than friendship in
the heart OF Captain Hallowell, she
failed utterly in her attempt to save
the life of the prisoners, or to exact
a promise from her father that their
punishment should be mitigated,
Hence, she followed her father
that night to the plaza, anxious to
know the fate of the imprisoned
Americans, and determined to save
the life of at least their captain, If 1t
was possible of accomplishment. For
the dark skinned senorita had let
her heart warm in its interest for the
handsome Tennesseean more and
more within the one short week of
their acquaintance.
Her heart sank when she heard
her father pronounce the decree of
death, and she could scarcely restrain
a cry Of dismay when she knew that
the young captain had drawn black
bean.
She started from her place of con-
cealment, and rushed almost to the
edge Of the friendly shade of the
overhangiDg branches Of the mag
nolia, with the intention of breaking
through the encircling soldiery and
pleading in their presence for his life.
But she checked her footsteps ere
she was discovered, and retreated
again to the secure protection OF the
tree trunk.
After the plaza was cleared of its
occupants, she returned to the house
and retired to her room
The night waned; morning dawned
bright and beautiful, but no sleep
came to her eyes.
The private grounds of the alcalde
extended through a rough and rocky
wooded height, to the very walls of
the castle like building used for a
jail. The senorlta dressed herself
early in the morning, and started out.
unattended, for the prison.
She knew not what she expected
to accomplish-knew nothing but an
understandable desire to proceed
thither. She intended 90 see the
keeper, but had no definite plan laid
out for the liberation OF the captives.
She reached the edge OF the woods on
an unfrequented side of the old
building, and as she emerged she
raised her eyes to the gloomy walls
and frowning battlements.
She could not repress an exclama-
ton.
There, at one of the deep embras-
ures IN the western tower. stood the
Texan captain, looking out over the
wooded descent.
lie had hidden an eternal farewell
to all OF his kind The bolts OF his
door would not again be Withdrawn.
until death had claimed its victim.
And what n DEATH
To die OF starvation slow. iinger-
ing, torturlngl Visions OF a half
crazed brain. OF food and drink. with
i'm sight, but just beyond the reach
OF outstretched, eager hands: minis
tering friends and kinspeople. whose
acts OF kindness we're always frus-
trated just before accomplishment.
and whose words OF sympathy died
on their lips before utterance: tremb-
ling limbs and lettering steps. dizzy
brain and wandering intellect; hands
grasping at gOblets overlooking with
cool. crystal water, and clutchine
empty air Oh. horrori who would
permit such acts of dendish cruelty
such torture of body and soul?
Could he pray? could he ask mercy
OF a Being who withheld an aidine
hand I'm such extremities OF His crea-
lures? Hope there was none. lie
knew the bitter vindictiveness OF the
Mexicans too well to venture a
thought OF escape from his doom
through any computations OF con.
science, or any relenting of the bru.
tai natures Of his enemies,