True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-12-12
Selett TaIe.
MATCHL1GHrER OF SAN ADRIAN.
4 TALE OF THE MEXICAN MINES.

:
,.s. A TALE OF THE MEXICAN MINES.
The sun had not yet attained its meridi-
an height above the bare and rugged noun
taiRs Of Zacatecas, when man in the
garb Of Mexican miner descended slowly
down narrow and tortuous path which
wound along the side of deep. declivity.
At length he reached spot where small
platform or shelf, jutting from the noun
tain slope, and covered with vegetation,
seemed to invite him to rest. ltappeared,
indeed, that he had intended to stop at this
spot, for he turned aside at once and seated
himself on the green sward beside foun-
tain which here gushed from the over
hanging steep, and created by its moisture
the verdure that surrounded it. Directly
over this spring, large tree, species of
mountain ash, sent its thousand roots into
the crevices of the rock, and shaded with
its spreading branches the gushing fount
and the green turf beneath. The miners
fret act was to take long draught of the
refreshing wave, and thel, he proceeded to
bathe his face and hands in the running
water. When the go earth-stains which COW
cred his visage were washed away, he ap-
peared young Creole of some twenty-five
or three years, with bright black eye,
long straight hair, dark complexion, with
a frank, gay, fearless expression of counte-
nance. He wore coarse jacket and loose
trousers of some brown wooden stuff, bound
at the waist by leathern girdle, lin which
was thrust the never-faling knife. He
sat for time, whistling carelessly, with
his eyes fixed on the descending path.
Presently wide covered basket became
visible in this direction, with a small hand
grasping it on one side. Then pretty face
with pair of sparkling black eyes, and
two small ruddy lips parted in smile of
pleasure and surprise, came into view.
Then followed the erect and shapely figure
to which the pretty face belonged, gaily at
tired, us became n miners wife, in gorge
ous petticoat, whereof the upper part was
of bright yellow, and the lowercf fam
ing scarlet an equally brilliant REBoso or
cotton shawl, of many varicgoted hues,
was thrown over the shoulders, and the
small feet were daintily encased in sky-blue
satin shoes.
i"ENHORABUENA-in good time, Marga-
rita" said the miner, showing his white
teeth. 81 am here before you" '
-E"Yes, in good TRUTH" replied the young
woman, laughing; "and l was afraid all
the time that might be too early, and tine
tortillas and frijoles would get cold. But
now they will be a dinner fit fora governor
With these words she quickly deposited
hor burden on the ground, and removed the
covers, first from the basket, and then from
the earthenware dishes which it contained.
There was plate of tortillas, orthn pan
cakes of maize, bowl Of stewed frijoles
(askind Of small black beans), and another
bowl containing fiery sauce made OF red
pepper and tomatoes. This was the miners
simple dinner. Tearing off piece Of one
Of the tortillas, he twisted it with his 6Dg-
ers into sort of scoop (culled in Mexico
Montezuma's spoon), and taking up in this
mouthfal of the beans, he dipped it into
the burning sauce, and swallowed it, spoon
and all.
s'How is it that you are so early to-day,
Maneulito ~ asked the female who watch
ed him with an affectionale smile while he
. was thus satisfactorily engaged.
."Because my little heaYt," replied the
young man, ''there is to be another blast
to-day; and the administrator wishes to
have it fred while the men are at dinner"
The smile instantly disappeared from
Margarita's face.
'l"Santa Maria!" she exclaimed, "another
blasts oh, Manuel, how long do you mean
tOcontnue in this dreadful duty?"
lt.Unti i can find better, my life," re.
plied, the miner, gaily. "Would you have
me golback to my old employment of bar.
rstero-=of simple miner--at six dollars o
week, when here, as pegador, as the sole
and trusted matchlighter, | am earning six
teen 7"
.s'AIas!" returned Margarita, "of what
use will the money be, If it happen to you
as to Pedro Bravo, oply three months ago
Ah,I think see the mangled body. as II
was carried by our cottage, with poor In
ssita crying over it. And then, there Is
Juan Valdez, stone-blind now for FIVE years
And old Anton, a cripple from bis youth,
or what advantage was their high wages
to them Z" sg
aNone, sweetheart" replied Manuel
"because what they won BY boldness and