Stories and poems of western Texas

Preface

For several years, and while at various occupations, I have been in the habit of writing either a story or poem on some striking occurrence or mode of life of Western Texas, always attempting to give a faithful delineation of life, whether attractive or not ; and I have now mustered up the courage to issue a few of these in this small volume.

So far as I know, but few things have been written about the country, which these stories attempt to describe, by native writers. Nearly all of these stories I have read were written by authors unacquainted with the people or the land of which they wrote. And to this is due, to a great extent, the erroneous impression entertained abroad concerning our country. These writers describe the inhabitants as uncultivated, lawless semi-barbarians. This belief has become so deeply rooted in even the bordering states, that it seems futile to attempt to claim anything like civilization or excellence for this country. Such may be taken as praise springing from undue patriotism, although all know that this country is settled by people from all the most enlightened nations of the globe.

Whatever may be the merits or defects of these productions, I hope that they will be read with indulgence proportionate to the sincere intentions with which they are issued.

William Avekitt.

Coleman, Texas.

Contents

A Blizzard, . , - - - 7

Robinson Peak, - - - - - 9

Santa Anna Mountain, - - - 9

I. My Bonnibel, I can not tell

Thee what thou art to me,

In words that link all that I think In tranquil hours of thee.

A vision bright in a world of night, In thee I ever see.

II,

When the evening breeze steals through the trees

In variegated posies, My soul doth long for thine in song,

And all its warmth discloses.

It often seems to me in dreams

That thou art lost to me, Thy heart benign, tliine eyes divine,

Another holde in fee, — My hope then sinks adown the brinks,

Into a troubled sea.