Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-11-12
SIX TO ONE; Or The Ranchero's
Mistake.
A tale of the tito Gram de
pY a. CLINTON HAMILTON.

Our scene is laid on the banks of that
magnificent western river, the Rio Gran
de, ON the Mexican side, and about forty
miles above Point Isabel. It's date is a
few years after Texas had declared her
Independence. and but brief period
few months-after certain peculiar
invention, made known in The sequel,
had been regularly entered IN the Paten:
Office at Washington by an ingenious
yankee.
About two miles from the river. and
situated on the road leading to Matsmo-
ras, was long built rancho, surroun-
ded with its picket-fence and out huts.
and such Accommodations as travelling
public would be likely to need. 1t was
divided and sub divided inIo numerous
apartments, formed by thin board parti-
tions, the largest. hoWever. and that TO
which the entrance door led. being devo-
ted to a drinking and smoking room. sim
liar to hotel bar.
II was early evening. and this room
was pretty well filed with a lot of rough
looking Mexicans. Of various yocations
and callings. Some appeared to be mule
drivers, from their skull caps. and loose
check shirts: others leuDgers and lazarillo
while FIVE were dressed in yellow skirts
with blue bodies. closely bultoned to the
throut. and belt in which was plainly
revealed long dirk knife and pistol
There was another who demands spe-
cial attention. He was tall. square
built man. with light Creole complex
ion-ranging between the Spanish and
the Mexican-with hsndso se features.
relieved by naughty disEngUs air. He
was dressed in blue jacket, artistically
ornamentated with half sling or mantle.
which descended but little below the
waist. and concealed the weapons which
gittered in his polished belt beneath. He
wore trunks Of the same hue and materi
al. which descended only to the top OF
his russet boots. A white rutfled shirt
was visible between his open jacket, and
spotless broad collar extended over the
blue cloak. A short sabre hung at his
lett side, with diamond setting in the
hilt. A range of dark curls was visible
below his dark sombrero. which was
adorned with a long ostrich rlume. His
air was mixture of therefned gentleman
and desperate adventurer. while his dress.
barring his weapons. was that of Spanish
coxcomb in the days of chivslry.
Well Martani.' he said. as he threw
himself carelessly in chair by small
table. and addressed blooming, volup-
tuons. and bright>eyed MEXICAN girl be-
hind the bar. give US bottle oil Codiz
Estrogdnza. and pack of your best ci
garettos 7 Then turning to the Eve ban.
ditti looking men, who were lounging
upon bench. he added: Order your
liking. my boys, my purse is full to
night!
'G,qtia Capitano 2 exclaimed the N zen.
in buisterous manner, and they pro-
ceeded to call for their respective drinks
The signora behind the bar possessed
the endowment of two large black. liquid
eyes. and voluptuousness ofform which
seemed to gain high favor with the
knightIy leader of the rancheroes- the
Eve men evidently were-and when shs
brought forth the wine. met her with a
smile of approval, and encirced her waist
with his arm.
Nov. by ST. Mark i he exclaimed. i
have not seen so pretty a face since the
last time l viei;ed old Borgeo's rancho |
old Borgeo. and carry you off as prize.
Martanl,'
The mer laughed and huzzaed at their
masters wit like very slaves: but the
black eyes ofthe young girl seemed to
melt in liquid feryor. and the blood
mounted to her cheeks as she replied:
Perhaps it may be unnecessary sem
orr
Indeed J. he replied. well. believe
Martani, you always did look with favor
on me. but it is the fate of all gay csva.
liers like myself. to have all the fair dam
sells Of kiugdo in love with them.-
However. l shall keep you 10 my mind.
and you may pay visit to Captain Ma.
rion's house before you think of it. There
now, one kiss
The young girl gave it with a flushed
chesk, ant her eyes sparklel. as she re-
turned TO her station behind the bar, to
attend to The other customers.
Now. boys. health TO our next job.
and success in the cnpture OF the Ma,a
moraS mails to night J. said the leader, as
he raised his glass.
The FIVE others drank, with = bolster
GUS cheer.
'Martsni. distribute glass round
among the borgoise; they look as though
they we're dry as the head waters of Del
Norte.' exclsimed the rsnchero.
'BravoF exclaimed the loungers sll
round the roum, as they rushed forward
with an esgerness which portehded they
had not owned a doubloon during their
mundane existence. After they had
drank. one OF them. who seemed TO be q
familiar in the rancho. and was somewhat
better a.tired from the rest. turned TO the
ranchero. and said:
Thanks. capitsno there's not a man