Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-03
MISCELLA l. A N Y.
MATCH-LIGHTER OF SAN ADRIAN
ATALE OF THEMEXlCAN MINES.

The sun had not vet attained its meridian height above
the hare and rugqed mountains of Zacatecas when man
in the varb of Mexican miner descended slowly down
narrow and toruous path which wound along the side OF
seep declivy AT length he reached spot where small
natrm or shelf uug from the mountain slope, aud COW
cred with vegetaton seemed to invite him 10 rest ap
ne,,ed indeed that he had intended to stop this spot for
be turned aside at once and seated himself on the green
sward beside fountain which here gushed from the over
hanging Steep and created by its moisture the verdue that
surrounded it, Directly this spring, large ee
speces of mountain ash, sent It's Thousand roofs n'o Tue
creyces of the rock and shaded with spreading branches
the gushing oun and the green turf beneath 1he miner
first act was take long draOgh of the refreshing wave
and then he proceeded bahe his face and In the run
nnc water When The earth stains which covered his VS.
are were washed away appeared young Creole OF some
twenty-five or three years. with bright black eye, long
straight hair dark complexion and frank, gay, fearless
expression os counteuance He wore coarse jacket and
loose trousers of some brown wooen stuff bound at the
waist by eathern gde, in which was thrust the never
falling knife. He for tme whising careesSly, with
his eyes fixed on the descending path.
Presently wide covered basket became visible in this
direction, with small hand grasping it side. Then
pretty face with pair Of sparkling eyes, and two small
Iuddy lips parted in smile Of pleasure and surprise
into view Then followed the erect and shapey figure
which the pretty face belonged, gaiy attred, as became
miners wife, in gorgeous pecoa, whereof the upper
part was Of bright yellow and the lower flaming scar
let; an equally Brilliant Teboso shawl ofmany varlegated
hues was thrown the shoulders, and the small ieet
were daintily encased IN sky-bue satin shoes.
''EntoraJuena-in good time, Margara," said the mi
ner showing his white teeth. II am here before you
"Yes in good truth repled the young woman Laughing
sand afraid all the time that might be too early
and the tortas and oes would get cod But now 'hey
will be dinner fit Er governor"
With these words she quickly deposited her burden on
the ground and removed the covers first from the basket
and then from the oailhenware dishes which contained
ghere was plate Of iOas, or thin pancakes of maize,
bowl of slewed rroes "a kind of small black beans and
another bowl containing fiery sauce made of red pepper
and tomatoes This was the mnerssmpe dinner. Tear
inc off piece Of one of the toras, he twisted it with his
fuges into kind of SCOOP (caed in Mexico la cuchG de
.Mode=ersa or Monezumas spoon and taking up IN this
mouthJ Of BEANS dipped it into the burning sauce
and swallowed it, spOon and all.
elbow is it that you early to-day. ManueIo e
asked The female who watched him with an afiectOna'e
smile, while he was thus satisfactorily engaged
"Becalse, mi ccra-oRcto-my little heart" replied the
Young man. "here is TO be another blast to-day, and the
administrator wishes to have it fred while the men at
dinner"
The smile instantly disappeared from Magaritas face.