Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-11-16
5 slretFe sNistelIanp.
T II E B EAUTIF DECOY
a THRILLING NARRATIVE.

Some years ago, having business which
first called me tc the capital of Mexico
and thence through ihe interior of the
country 10 the norlhward, | met with sew
eral thrilling adventures, which | have
/ recorded for the benefit of whomsoever
may take an interest therein, emitting on
| ly the dates, they being nonesential 10 the
| interest OF the arrauons themselves.
The first of the series occurred on the
route between Vera Cruz and the city of
Mexico. Ia the regular dihgencia, run
ming between the places just mentioned, |
had taken passage and had passed through
the beautiful cily of Jalapa, and entered
the gloomy town Of Perote. without meet
ing with any UNUSUAL incident, though
beng continually warned TO be on my
guard against tie dangers of the road
Al Perote, where we halted for relay
and refreshments, all my fellow passen-
I gers took leave of me, very solemniy as
suriug me if aSsaiied by he ladrones or
robbers, i would be much better for me
I 10 take matters quetly. and suffer myself
/ to lie gen,eelly pluudered, than to run the
! risk OF having my throat cut for resist
auce, as | had somewhat boldly pro-
claimed it was my intention of doing. |
thanked them for their advice, and re-
Piled that ! would take the matter into
serious consideration.
At Perote, repeat, all who had been
nv companions from Vera Cruz took leave
Of me, this being the end of their journey
IN that direction, but there was one new
passenger here 20 go forward, whom, 10
my agreeable surprise, | found to be a
beautiful young lady, some twenty years
Of age.
Senoeati Paula. as I subsequently as
eertaiued her name to be. was, indeed, one
of those rare beauues seldom met with
except in works ot ficuon-tali, graceful
wilh a profusion OF long black hair-soft,
clear, melting, dark eye-features as per-
feet as ever came from the hands of a
sculptor, and with an animation the most
fascinating. varying in expression with
every changing mood of the Intelligent
possessor \ glance at her beWtchlng
! dark eyas showed me that she was one
who was naturally Of social disposition ;
and as we rattled away from the gloomy
town, tool. the liberty Of opening a con-
versallon.
They tell me- said l. & that the route
hatween here and Mexico Is very dan
oerous one 10 travel.
There is litlle to fear" she replied
with sweet smile, and in a melodious
tone. except from the professional rob-
hers. aud they seldom harm any one who
makes no resistance.
:" Il seems strange to me-" / rejoined
tn.
,hinos as a matter of course, and deem
resistance a very impolte way OF treating
The knights Of the road, instead OF boldly
asserting your rights, and abaung the EVIL
/ bv a manly spirit OF resistance. For my
lie mus, consider il the most eowardly
Of proceedings for any respectfully party
10 set out quietly to crafty the cupldIiy OF
the ladrones, and unprepared TO treat Them
to their Just deserts. >.
=. Every traveller, Senor, she rephed,
:. should, before setting out, count the cost
of his tourney. and of course II is natural
| he shouId value his life highly, It seems
TO me natural that he should pay certain
sum for positive safety, rather than put ms
! life In jeopardy. For instance, II ne VIII
first reckon that so much will be required
| for enterte;r..lent on The way, and so much
| for The contingency you speak OF, be viii
! l1ben have the exact cost between tae TWO
noin,s; and if he viii take the whole as
/ he sum total of his journey, be VIII not
seem 10 be robbed by any one party more
! than another.
- That NAV be-" l replied, . and be-
l;eve is. The Mexican mode o. dong hnsi-
ness, bat does not tally with The pfecoh-
ceived ideas OF Us foreigners.
"But every one, replied the fair speak
er. should conform to the customs OF the
countay Re visits
Aud do you. then, 90 prepared for this
highway rabbery2 2 and have yea 20 fear
i thus ioarneying by yourself :"
We'll, Seuor, what can | do! am,
yol perceive. an unprotected lady; who,
Far certain reasons, ann required 10 make
,be tourney between Perote and the Capl-
tal some twice or thrice year, and you
certainly could not expeo! me to be pre-
nared 10 resis, an armed band. As &c
fear. | will not deny, have my share Of
that; bat, so far, ! have never met WIZ