Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-12-18
BY ". D. WALLACE.
THE BEAUTIFUL DECoY.

ten Oh nlSnWay ROBBERY exists IN every section
oI tnat mlserably governed country, and that
through want Of Interference of the authori-
ties, this has grown up into such a regular and
formidable shape that every traveller must be
prepared to put bis life at hazard at eyery stage
or be provided with q suitable contribution Tor
I0S eaodiIsT0S del caEtnO, (the knights of the
road who, in the event Of finding you pre-
pared and willing, will make their levy with a
PoIlteness only equalied by the smiling land
lord when be receives your overchargsd fare
Tor your last nights entertainment. Why such
systemstic boldness of robbery is allowed-if
not with the connivaRce, at least with rarely
any interference Of the Government or State
suthorities-is one of those mystical matters
which among many others 80 puzzles and per
plexes the intelligent foreigners, but that such
Is the diSagreeable truth every traveller through
that wretched country can bear ample testi-
mOny.
Somc years ago, having business which first
called me to the capital Of Mexico, and thence
through the interior of the country TO the north
WARD, met with several thrilling adventures
which have recorded for the benefit of whom
soeyer may take an interest therein, omitting
only the dates, they being on-essential to the
interests OF the Variations themselves.
The hrst Of the series occurred on the route
between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico.
In the regular diligencia running between the
places just men toned, had taken passage and
had passed through the beautiful city of ] Jalspa,
and entered the gloomy town of Perote, with
out tmeeting with any unusual Incident, though
being continually warned to be on nv guard
against the dangers Of the road. At Perote,
where we halted for q relay and refreshments
al my fellow passengers took leave of me, very
solemnly assuring me that, If assailed by the
f1dToneS, or robbers, 1T would be much better for
me 10 take matters quietly, and suffer myself
to be genteelly plundered than to run the risk
OF having my throat cut for resistance, as had
somewhat boldly proclaimed it was my inten-
ton OF doing 1 thanked them for their ad-
vice, and replied that would take the matter
into serious consideration.
At Perote, repeat, all who had been INV
companions from Vera Cruz took leave of me.
this being the end Of their journey in that d.
rectiOn; but there was one new passenger here
to 90 forward, whom, to my agreeable surprise
found to be beautiful young lady, some 20
years of age.
Senorita Paula, as I subsequently ascertain
ed her name to be, was, indeed, one of those
rare beauties seldom met with except in works
Of fiction tall, graceful, with a profusion of
long black hair - soft, clear, melting dark eyes
features perfect as ever came from the hands of
the sculptor, and with an animation the most
fascinating, varying in expression with every
changing mood Of the intellectual possessor.
A glance at her bewitching dark eyes showed
me that she was one who was naturally of So
cisl disposition; and as we ratified away from
the gloomy town, / took the liberty of opening
conversation.
"fhey tell me-" said I, that the route be-
tween here and Mexico is a very angerous one
to travel"
"There is little to fear" she replied, with
sweet smile and in a melodiOus tone, 4" except
from the professional robbers, and they seldom
harm any one who make no resistance" "
at seems strange to me-" rejoined, L" that
you Mexlcans should take such things as a
matter of course, and deem resistance very
impolite way OF treating the knights Of the
road, instead of boldly asserting your rights,
and abating the evil by manly spirit of resis-
tanee. For myself, must consider it the most
eoWardly Of proceedings for any respectable
party to set out prepared to quietly crafty the
eupidity Of the ladrones, and unprepared to
treat them TO their just deserts
Every traveller, Senior, she rep led, should
before setting out, count the cost of his Jour
ney; and as, Of course, it is natural he should
value bis life highly, il seems to me natural
that be should psy a certain sum for positive
safety, rather than put that life in jeopardy.
For instance, in travelling from Vera Cruz 10
Mexico, If be will first reckon that SO much is
the fare by the dlligencia, and that so much
will be required for entertainment On the way,
and so much for the contingency you speak OF,
be viii then have the exact cost between the
two points and if be will look at the whole As
the sum total OF his journey, he will not seem
TO be robbed by any one party more tn An
another"
That" replied, "may bo, 1 believe is.
the Mexican mode Of doing business, but does
not tally with the prelonceiyed ideas of US for
eigners.'
But every one" replied the fair speaker,
" should conform TO the customs Of the country
he visits
" And do you then go prepared for this high
way robbery? and have you no fear in thus
jOurneying by YOURSELF"
Well, Senior, what can I do? am, as
you perceive. an unprotected lady who, for
certain reasons, am required to make the jour
ney between Perote and the capital some twice
or thrice year, and you certainly could not
expect me 70 go prepared to resist an armed
band. As TO fear, l will not deny that have
my share Of that; but, so far, have never
met with any rough treatment, and of course
trust to the saints that my fortune will ever be
propitious."
"And have you really been robbed on your
journey back and forth ,'' inquired
" think have paid my share to the Ia
H'OHes for my transit through their country"
she laughed.
And you expec; to continue repetition of
the same for the rest Of your life ?"
"Wbo knows" she replied "At least 7
hope to be always prepared"
And your fellow travellers, =" said I; have
lawful acts 2''
once, oenor, an American and an English
man VINO were In the same diligencia with me,
nred upon the robbers, killing one and wonnd'
ing two"
And did the robbers FIRE back7',
es, but He'd Immediately, and fortunately
iDjGred none Of our party"
:. As should have expected returnsd T
- You were not robbed on that occasion T ann.
pose?'' sup
1--WE were not, Senior; but the two fo,u;.
subsequently paid dearly for their rs.;s,e.
Tor IN Journeying back and forth, both were
KILLED, separate and at different times, near
the same spot You see these crosses by the
side of the road, Senor % WIG
have observed them frequently, but here
tney seem 70 be much more numerous" / re-
piled, looking forth from the vehicle
Each stands on the spot where soua ono
has met a violent DEATH she reioined. ..snS
as We 60 along, will call your attention 70
those which mark the places where the for.
eigners met theirs .
"Do you know, said /, that am resolved
10 emulate their example let the CON saonap peas