Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-01-19
miscellaneous.
=. -Trnnublished Chronicle of a Traveller.
~ ruE REAUTIFUL DECOY.


THE BEAUTIFUL DEeOY.
r :, veil known to all in any degree fa-
J.. y nth the history of Mexico, that reg.
5-'' gu .rstem of highway robbery exists in
an section of that miserably governed
oo! ,,r. and that through a want of interfe-
sa-" gum # the authorities. this has grown up
paw ~ .,cb regular and formidable shape that
y. v. .-t traveler mast be prepared to put his
y J. hazard at every stage, or be provided
DDE y, r,,;taMe contribution for los cd6ellroS
~ ~ .,n;oo (the knights of the road,) who,
! ne , event Of finding you ready and willing
n I''I make their levy with politeness only
| n.ne5 by the smiling landlord, when he
' I'VE. ycur overcharged fare for your last
.l,, .I,s entertainment. Why such systematic
ff3,es. of robbery is allowed-if not with
,,nniyance at least with rarely any inter
..,.s Of the government or State authori-
| =, one Of those mystical matters which
,,c others so puzzles and perplexes the
.,.ricent foreigner, but that such is the
n every traveller through that wrctched
.r,,ry can bear ample testimony.
| Cma Years ago having business which first
I'D me- to the Capital OF Mexico, and thence
rrob the interior of the country to the
,bTard. | met with several thrilling ad-
,.p-es which have recorded for the ben
h Of vhomsoever may take an interest
r,D, emitting only the dates, they being
essential TO the interest of the variations
MselTes.
The first of the series occurred on the route
,v.5 Vera Cruz aud the City of Mexico
bsrgular diligeucia running between the
,cs lust mentioned, ] had taken passage,
. X hsi passed through the beautiful city Of
Lana. aud entered the gloomy town of Pc
q, without meeting with any unusual in
j,r. though b'ing continually warned 20
90 nv guard against the dangers OF the
/ nj At Perote. where we halted for re-
sal refreshments, all my fellow passen-
| /, took leave Of me, very solemuly assuring
hat, if assailed by the Iadrones, or rob-
~ it would be much better for me TO take
s,ers quietly. and suffer myself to be gen.
! p.uudcred, than to run the risk Of hav-
! M throat cut for resistance, rs | bad
|rswhat boldly proclaimed was my intention
Ding | thanked them for their advice,
! replied that would take the matter into
US consideration.
y Perota, repeat, all who had been M
onions from Vera Cruz took leave of me
hing the oui of their journey in that
1on, but there was one new passenger
to 90 forward, whom to my agreeable
tr;e found to be beautiful young lad
SEenty years of age.
,norita Paula. as | subsequently, ascer-
bed her name to be, was indeed one o.
. rare tcsuties seldom met with except in
Ea Of fction-tall, graceful. with a pro-
sn Of long black hair-soft, clear. melting
s-tatures as perfect as ever came from
etsuds of the sculptor, and with en- ami
ua'l the most fascinating, varying 10 ex.
's5On with every changing mood of the
sNectual possessor. A glance at her be-
ahng dark eyes showed me that she wa;
Be Edo was naturally of social disposition
anEe ratified away from the gloomy towI
NSide liberty of opening conversation
"IEy tell me-" said |, THAT the rout,
t'Hea here and Mexico is very dangerou
J: to travel"
There is little to fear" she replied, will
'ees smile and in mclodious voice, sex
from the professional robbers, and the.
ion harm any one who makes no resis
.n9
1t seems strange to me- l -ejoined
L; you Mexicans should take such thing
matter of course, and deem resistance
mpolite way Of treating the knights
nad, instead of boldly asserting you
ia, and abating the evil by manly spir
sstsuce. For myself, must conside
1. most cowardly of proceedings, for an
Fable party to set out prepared to gu
srldiy the cupidity of the tadrones, an
2spsred to treat them to their just dt
Every traveller, Senor." she replied
@ald, before setting out, count the cost I
lourney, and OF course value his lii
ply! j. seems to me natural that he shoul
a certain sum for positive safety rathe
put life in jeopardy. For instance i
Fang from Vera Cruz to Mexico. if b
reckon that SO much is the fare Of th
!Ncla, and that so much will be require
sertaiDment on the way, and so muc
u Contingency you speak OF, be WI
have the exact cost between the tw
5s aud it he will look at the whole SUI
S@ us journey, he will not seem to b
"a "a By any one party more than th
mat | replied, "may be, l believe i:
a;Sean mode of doing business, but doc
--y With the preconceived ideas of l
ssnes"
o% every one" replied the fair speaker
!~a conform to the custom of the cour
Ald do you then go prepared for tn
ss;;'y robbery? and have you no fear
eEn eESTnAeylug by yourself?'
nsl, Senor, what can | do? / am {
n. 5'celVe an unprotected lady, who, f
~ reasons, am required to make ii
s., Det%een PerOte aud the Capital son
mn,3 thrice year, and you certain
H. ~ y not expect me to be prepared
~ armed band As to fear, l wi
Il! have my share of that; but,
Ia. .s'e .s never met with any rough trea
sua OF course l trust to the saints th
%SGe i0S will ever be as propitious."
aDsr laye you really been robbed on 20,
3;,E OtcE and forth?'' inquired.
A have 2aid my share to the /