The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-10-04
selett Mlistellalrp,
THE MOUNTAINEER.
A TALE OF NORTHERN MEXICO
BY DIR. l. H. RoBIAsoN.

WHEN the % Army of the Westn reach
ed Moro valley, was too i'll to proceed
farther so / was left at MorotoWn, in
the care of a fat priest. had been at
tached to Col. Harney's command, in
the capacity of surgeon; but had rem
dered myself quite useful to Lieut.. EN-
ory-of the Engineers, in making scien-
tiic observations In relation to the ty-
biography of the country; and it was
while assisting him in his geodetic op-
erations that [ contracted the sickness
that caused me to be left at the place [
have mentioned. Moro was a village
consisting of about two hundred houses,
built in that awkward and unskillful
manner Characteristic of the people of
Northern Mexico. l was not well
pleased with the necessity that compell-
ed me to remain at that uninviting spot,
I-while the army was moving toward San
ia Fe, animated by the prospect of a
fight With Armijo, who, it was currently
reported, was making great preparations
to repel the invaders, who were coming
to destroy their property and liberties.
was naturally ambitious to act a
part in the approaching struggle, and
my anxiety and disapointment served
to increase the low, nervous fever that
had settled upon my system. Father
Gardette proved to be a good nurse,
and what he lacked in medical knowl-
edge, he made up in bon A01lnlic.
One day, after l had begun to eonva-
lesce, while sitting in the door, female
on horseback attracted my attention.
The street was near, and as she advanced
L bad an opportunity to observe her ap-
pearance. She was unattended, and
rode at moderate pace The grace
fulness of her figure, the ease with which
she managed her horse, as well as the
size and beauty of her animal, made me
regard her approach with interest.
felt strong curiosity to see her
face, but it was closely yelled, and my
inquisitive eyes could not pierce the
thick folds. When she was opposite
the house, however, an audaeious puff of
wind removed the churlish gossamer,
giving me full view of the most inter-
esting features l ever saw. With a
small hand neatly gloyed, she secured
the fnttering fabric and drew it to its
proper place, but not until her beauty
had fairly facinated me.
1 gazed after the unknown enchant-
ress until she had passed from sight, and
sighed to think I might never know
more of her. A young woman on horse
back was not an unusual spectacle, but
it furnished me with material fer medi-
tation for the remainder of the day
The padre joked and told laughable sto-
ries, according 20 his wont, but had a
dull and distracted listener. The truth
was that l saw nothing but the pretty
face; wondering, meantime, what kind
of spirit dwelt in temple SO fair. l
trusted that night and sleep would dis
pei the fancies which the day had pro-
duced, but in that I was signally mis-
taken, for the lovely vision followed me
into my dreams, and morning found me
more enchanted than ever.
Days passed; I become well enough
to venture into the street, and finally to
visit the neighboring hills with my rife.
On one of these occasions L wandered
in the direction of the junction of the
Rio Moro and the Sapilio. where the
Army of the West" had encamped on
its way to Santa Fe Having travelled
three or four miles, sat down to rest
at the mouth of deep gorge running in