The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 42, July 1938 - April, 1939 Page: 345
446 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Impressions of Texas in 1860
Texas. I never saw but one. He is a large spider, with legs 1 to 2
inches long-radiating from a body as large as the end of an ordi-
nary thumb. He will resent an attack with all the malice and cun-
ning of a rattlesnake. By the way, he is the inveterate enemy of
snakedom, and when two meet,-I mean a snake and Tarantula,-
one is destroyed. The Tarantula will resist anything excepting a
wasp;-the wasp will sting and harrass him to a speedy death. I
have been told that the Tarantula will spring at your face whilst you
are contemplating his disagreeable-hairy body-and find no diffi-
culty in reaching your face. I shall avoid 'ye tarantula.'
Considering all which, I think Texas is a disagreeable place, for
summer residence.
But what are fleas, snakes, centipedes or tarantulas, compared
with that horrid epidemic, the mention of which is a foremen-
tion, or anticipation of the next world-I mean the Yellow Fever.
Men in the vigor and prime of life, and health, one day, and
the next a disfigured, repulsive corpse! Where neither age, caste
or disposition is spared; but when with
"One fell Swoop"
the young man in his prime,-the young lady cast in the mould'
of loveliness, and bearing upon her brow the crown of beauty;-
the aged sire, and frosty headed dame,-and the little child in
its mother's arms, are all cut down like grain before the scythe
in harvest time. Spare me from that fell and loathesome disease.
May 21, 1860.
There are the Kates--sweet little buds of innocence, in this
town, both of whom possess a deep interest in my thoughts, actions,
life. Kate Efnor is twelve years of age-precocious in all that
may become one of her age. Wild as Kates generally are, and
vivacious to a degree some would deem rough. At times she is
drooping and silent, and her large lustrous eyes gaze into space--
reminding one of the influence of a deep trance. Her eyes are
sparkling blue;-not the dull, heavy, leaden blue met on every
occasion, but a brilliant, crystal blue that sparkle in one of her
animated moods, with a glow that pierces ones heart like an
arrow. But there is one thing wanting in her character. She
has no heart. She is born for a coquette. Her very manner indi-
cates it, and her incomparable beauty will lead to it. She has345
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 42, July 1938 - April, 1939, periodical, 1939; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101107/m1/374/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.