out their arms to him。 The magnetic chain of sympathy was
complete。 The hearts of his listeners were an instrument； on
which he played the noblest； most inspiring； the sweetest of
melodies。 He kindled them as flame kindles dry grass。
He showed them their future with a prophet's eye； and touched
them also with the glad diviner's rapture。 They aspired；
they rejoiced at his bidding； and at the moment of their
highest enthusiasm； he cried out：
〃Whatever State gave us birth； we have one native land and we
have one flag！〃 Instantly from the grim； blood…stained walls
of the fortress； the blessed Stars and Stripes flew out； and
in a moment a thousand smaller flags； from every high place；
gave it salutation。 Then the thunder of cannon was answered
by the thunder of voices。 Cannon may thunder and make no
impression； but the shout of humanity！ It stirs and troubles
the deepest heart…stream。 It is a cry that cannot be
resisted。 It sets the gates of feeling wide open。 And it was
while men were in this mood that Houston said his last words：
〃I look in this glorious sunshine upon the bloody walls of the
Alamo。 I remember Goliad。 I carry my memory back over the
long struggle of thirty years。 Do you think the young； brave
souls； fired with the love of liberty； who fell in this long
conflict have forgotten it？ No！ No！ No！ Wherever in God's
Eternity they are this day； I believe they are permitted to
know that Texas has become part of their country； and
rests forever under the flag they loved。 The shouting
thousands； the booming cannon； that greeted this flag were not
all the sounds I heard！ Far off； far off； yet louder than any
noise of earth； I heard from the dead years； and the dead
heroes of these years； the hurrahing of ghostly voices and the
clapping of unseen hands！〃
〃It was like Houston to call the dead to the triumph；〃 said
the doctor； as he stood with the Senora in her room。 He was
unbuttoning her gloves； and her tears dropped down upon his
hands。
〃He is a man by himself； and none like him。 I thought that I
should never forgive him for sparing the life of that
monsterSanta Anna； but to…day I forgive him even that。 I am
so happy that I shall ask Holy Maria to excuse me the feeling；
for it is not good to permit one's self to be too happy； it
brings trouble。 But indeed； when I looked at Thomas； I
thought how wisely he has married。 It is seldom a mother can
approve of her daughter…in…law； but Abbie has many
excellenciesgood manners； and a good heart； and a fortune
which is quite respectable。〃
〃And strong principles also； Maria。 She will bring up her
children to know right and wrong； and to do right。〃
〃THAT of course。 Every good mother does that。 I am sure
it is a sight for the angels to see Isabel teaching her
children their prayers。 Did you observe also how great a
favorite Luis is？ He lifted his hat to this one and that one；
and it is certain that the next election will be in his hand。〃
〃PerhapsI wish Lopez would take more interest in politics。
He is a dreamer。〃
〃But； then； a very happy dreamer。〃 Perhaps to dream well and
pleasantly is to live a better life。 Antonia is devoted to
him。 She has a blessed lot。 Once I did not think she would
be so fortunate。〃
〃Lopez was prudent and patient。〃
〃Prudent！ Patient！ It is a miracle to me！ I assure you；
they even talk together of young Senor Grant！ It is
satisfactory； but extremely strange。〃
〃You had better sleep a little； Maria。 General Houston is
coming to dinner。〃
〃That is understood。 When I spoke last to him； I was a woman
broken…hearted。 To…night I will thank him for all that
he has done。 Ah； Roberto！ His words to…day went to my；
soulI thought of my JuanI thought of the vision he showed
meI wondered if he knewif he sawand heard〃 she leaned
her head upon her husband's breast； and he kissed away the
sorrowful rain。
〃He was so sweet！ so beautiful！ Oh； Roberto！〃
〃He was God's greatest gift to us。 Maria！ dear。 Maria！ I
love you for； all the children you have given me； BUT MOST
OF ALL； FOR JUAN！〃
End