The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-06-18

nsEhat iafigued BY the day
lodIncy coon tell asleep.
For several days the march was continued
throubh country Of varied character, unit
at last, about l2 o'clock one morning, th cara.
van reached the mouth Of a secluded and pic.
turesque valley, through which rushed small
stream, that about mile off was blended Nith
the waters Of large river.
Walter Bruce dashed eagerly forward. A mar
row ledge Of land lay between the river and a
huge precipitiOus rock, and on this the house
inhabited Dy Pablo was situated. As Walter
came in sight, young girl who had been stand
ing at the Threshold Of the door Of the prin-
cipal block, hurried in, and very soon returned
with man.
The man was about sixty, with thin, hard,
wrinkled face, small, gray, piercing eyes, a
heavy white beard, growing almost all over his
face, and Withal worn and suffering air. which
was sufficiently painful. A look Of suspicion,
too, hung over every feature, but Walter Bruce
scarcely noticed him, so taken was he by the
charms Of the young girl beside him. She was
dark eyed Mexican, Of about sixteen years Of
age, with long curling hair, mouth which
would have delighted Phidias or Raphael,
form, which the young man thought he had
never seen equalled, She wore the picturesque
costume Of Mexican woman oil the middle
classes, in strong contrast to the course dusky,
and common habiliments Of the man beside
her.
''Welcome, stranger" said the man in fee
BILE voice. "What brings you into these remote
partsi"
81 come from Messrs. Morris aud Franklin,
Of Vera Cruz" replied Bruce, land but precede
my caravan by few hundred yards
Enter" said the old man, with considerable
animation, ray Of pleasure Illuminating hii
features. Guadalupe, 60 bid Maria prepare 4
repast."
The young girl moved towards the distan
huts, and Walter followed Pablo into the outel
apartment Of the house. 1t was large AMI
almost naked room, which usually containet
the goods that formed the matter Of barter will
the traders of the district. The two men sa
down by huge German stove, that served Il
diffuse warmth through the warehouse, anC
Walter at once handed his letters to the agent
The old man took them, put on his spectacles
and read them carefully. Every now and then
he raised his looks from the papers, as if to
muse on their contents, but in reality to sCru-
tinize with a cautious eye their bearer.
"You are warmly recommended by MessrS.
Morris and Franklin" said he, presently, speak
ing pure English. Have you been long in their
employment
"Three months when left Vera Cruz"
"Three months-short time to learn man 5
character"
''Messrs. Morris and Franklin have thought
it quite sufficient to give me their confidence"
observed Walter a little haughtily.
"Don't be hasty young man." said Pablo,
graVely. 81 doubt not you are deserving Of
their regard but have been used to the world
and have been made perhaps over suspicious by
circumstance"
'From the moment, that in any transaction,
| have the full approval Of my employer, | sup
pose that relieves you from all responsibility" "
"Certainly-certainly-as far as their bus
iness is concerned-but here comes the caravan,
and breakfast. We can resume our conversa-
ton in the evening""
When breakfast was over, Pablo retired to an
inner room to study his letters, and to prepare
instructions for Jacob Willis his successor. He
left Walter to the care of Guadalupe. The
young people were at an age when acquaintan-
ces are rapidly made. The girl had never before
been thrown into the society Of an educated
man, while Walter had rarely been placed in
position since the commencement of his adven-
turOus career, to study so closely the female
character. influenced by the excitement Of his
Journey, by the romantic circumstances Of his
position, Walter Bruce was before evening deep
ly in love; while, had the young girl questioned
her own heart, it is probable she might have
made a similar discovery.
After dinner Pablo expressed wish to be
alone with his daughter and Walter. He was
very pale and excited, and when he took them
into an inner department, sunk on a chair under
the excess of his emotion. Ee.
"Mr. Bruce" said he gravely, after short
pause, 81 am compelled to be abrupt and brief
Ny daughter has been hitherto in the dark as
TO the cause Of my sending 10 Messrs. Morris
and Franklin. l am devoured by an internal
disease and have not many days to live."
"Fatherl" cried the girl.
"Silence, child, and listen. Remain up here
you cannot, and this is why l begged my en-.
ployers to send trusty person to me. Mr. Bruce,
have examined carefully the letters sent me
and they satisfy me completely. begged them
to send me young man, il possible, free from
all ties Of affection. There Is no time for del
icacy Of feeling or hesitation. Do you think
Improbable, after one days acquaintance, that
yoa could be happy with my daughter for your
Sir cried Walter Bruce warmly 81 have
this day learned to believe in those sudden pas
slona which carry aRay in an instant beyond
all the calculations Of reason. l love your
daughter" e
"This is better than expected, And now
young man, close that door, and listen to me.
Are you willing to take her pOrtiOnless and
without fortunes'' N
clam young, in, health, and able to work, "
said Walter Bruce, who was vainly endeavOring
to catch the eyes Of the blushing and puzzled
beauty.
"Enough, Walter Bruce; you see before you
the richest heiress in America. Surrounded by
her children, had hoped myself to enjoy Tor
tune and its favoa. But Ihave waited too long
and shall neverleave this place. Young man,
in this country you tread on gold Is you walk.
The whole land Is one mass Of mineral riches.