The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-11-19
THE BEAUTIFUL DEooY.

regular system Of highway robbery exists in
every section of that miscrably governed
country; and that through want Of i'll,
tertrrcncc Of the authorities, this has grown
up into such Il regular aud formidable shape,
that every traveller must be prepared to put
his life at hazard at every stage, or be pro-
si,lcd with a suitable contribution for los
caJale,vs del comi"o Ghe knights Of the
roadl who, in the event Of finding YOU pre-
pared and willing, will make their levy with
: politencss only c4uaiei by the smiling
,audlorL, when lie receives your ovcrclarw"d
fare for your last nights entertainment.
Why such systematic boldncss of robbery
is alowrd-if not with the connivancc, at
least with rarely any Interference, Of the
government or state authoriics-is one Of
those mystical matters which among many
others, so puzzles and perplexcs the intclli-
gent foreigners, but that such is the dis
agreeable truth every traveller through that
wrctchcd country can bear ample testimony.
Some years ago, having business which
first called me to the Capital OF Mexico, and
thence through the interior OF the country
to the northwarI met with several thrill,
ling adventures, which have recorded for
the benefit Of whomsocvcr may take an in
tcrest therein, emitting only the dates, they
being non essential to the interest Of the
variations themselves.
The first Of the series occurred on the
route between Vera Cruz and the city Of
Mexico. In the regular ,liiyencia running
between the places just mentioned, | had
passed through the beautiful city Of Jaiapa,
and entered the gloomy town of perote,
without meeting with any unusual incident,
though being continually warncl to be on
my guard against the dangers Of tho road.
At Pcrote, where we llaltel for relay AMI
refreshments, all my felow-passengers took
leave OF me, very solennly assuring me
that, if :,ssailcl 10y the iudyoucs, or roLLcr<,
it would be much better for me to take
matters quietly, and suffer myself to be
gentcclly pIunderc,l, than to run the risk Of
having my throat cut for resistance, as
had somewhat boldly proclaimed it was my
intention Of doing. | thanked them for
their advice, anil replied that would take
the matter into serious consideration.
At Pcrote, repeat, all who had been my
companions from Vera Cruz took leave OF
me, this being the end Of their journey i'll
that direction. but there was one new pas
senger here to 60 forward, whom, to my
agreeable surprise, found to Le Il beautiful
young lady, some twenty years Of age.
Scnorita Paula, as | subsequently ascer
tanned her name to be, WAS indeed one of
those rare beauties seldom met with except
i'll works Of fction-:all, graceful, with Il
profusion Of long, black hair-sofi, clear,
melting dark eyes-features as 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 shovel me
that she was one who was naturally OF
social disposition; and as we ra,tlcd away
from the gloomy town, | took the liberty OF
opening conversation,
"Th.y tell me-" said I. "that the route be
tween here and Mexico is very dangerous
one to travel"
There is little to fear" she replied, with
sweet smile and in mclodious tone, cx.
cept from the professional robbers and they
seldom harm any one who makes no resist,
ancc."
ut seems strange to me-" rrjpined, "tLat
you Mexicans should take such things AS 4
matter Of course, and deem resistance very
impolte way Of treating the knights Of the
road, instead of boldly asserting your rights
and abating the evil by manly spirit Of
resistance. For myself, must consider it
the most cowardy Of proceedings, for any
respectable party to set out prepared tc
quietly CRAFTY the cupidity Of the laarone.
and unprepared to treat ii, EN- to their JUS
deserts
Every traveller, Senor,'' she replied
"sllould before setting out, count the cost O
lis journey, and as Of course it is natura
he,shoulL value his life highly, itseems t,
me natural that he should pay certain sun
for. positive safety rather than put that lif
in jeopardy. For instance, in travelling
from Vera Cruz to Mexico, if he will frs
reckon that SO much is the fare by the dill
gencia, and that 50 much viii be require
for entertainment on the way, and so muc
for the contingency you sDeak-of be wi
then have the exact cost between two points
and if he will look at the whole as The slit
total Of his journey, lie will not seem to b
robbed BY any one party moro than al
other"
'That," replied "msy bel JeIisssi i
.,