Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-06-25
THE BEAUTIFUL DECoY.
A TALE OF MEXICO.

1t is well known to all in any degree famili,
with the history of Mexico, that system
highway robbery existed in every section Of tho
mlserably governed country; aud through
want OF interference Of the authorities, this ha
grown up into such regular md forlnidabl
shapes, that every traveller must be prepared t
put his life at hazard at every stage, or be pro
rided with suitable contribution for los caJaL
ieros deieamino, (thc knights of the road,) VIII
in the event of finding you prepared and willing
Will mike their levy VIII a poliieness only
| equAled by the smiling landlord, when he re
ceives your overcharged fare fer last night,
entertainment. Why such systematic boldues
Of robbery is alowed-if not with the oonniy
anee, at least with rarely any interference of tht
| government or State authorities.-is one of those
mystical matters which among others so puzzle.
and perplexes the intelligent foreigners but tha,
such is the dssegreeable truth, every traveller
through that wretched 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 north
ward, met with several thrilling adventures,
which have recorded for the benefit of whom
soever may take an interest 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 dilgencia running between the
places just mentioned had taken passage, and
had passed through the beautiful city of Jalapa
and entered the gloomy town of Perote without
meeting with any unusual incident, though being
continually warned to be on my guard against
the dangers of The road. At Perote where we
halted for relay and refreshments, all my fellow
passengers took leave Of me, very solemnly as
surfing me that, if assaied by ladrones or robbers
it would be much better for me to take matters
quietly, and suffer myself to be generally plum.
dred, than to run the risk OF having my throat
cut for resistance, as had somewhat boldly pro
claimed it was my intention of doing. thanked
them for their advice, and replied that would
take matters into serious consideration.
AT Perote, ! repeat, all who had been my
companions from Vera Cruz took leave of me,
this being the end of their journey in that direc-
ton; but there was one new passenger to 90
forward whom, to my agreeable surprise, found
to be beautiful young lady some twenty years of
age
Senorita Paula, as subsequently ascertained
her name to be, was indeed one of those rare
beauties seldom met with except in works of
fiction-tall, graceful, with profusion of long.
black hair, soft clear, melting dark eyes, fea-
lures as perfect as ever came from the hands of
the sculptor, and with an animation the most
fascinating varying in expression with every
mood of the intellectual possessor A
glance at the bewitohing dark eyes showed me
that she was one who was naturally of social
disposition and as we ratified away from the
gloomy town, took the liberty Of opening a con-
"They tell me-" said l. "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 melodus tone, ''except from
the professional robbers, and they seldom harm
any one who makes no resistance"
at seems strange to me-" reioined, s'tbat
you Mexicans should take such things as mat
ter Of course, and deem resistance very i'm
polite way of treating the knights of the road,
misleading of boldly asserting your rights and
lbating the evil by manly spirit of resistance.
For myself, must consider il the most coward |
y of proceedings for any respectable party to |
set out prepared to quietly crafty the cupidity
,f Nko lad of1 4 4.
heir just deserts"
"Every traveller, Senor," she replied, 'sshoull |
before setting out count the cost of his Journey,
and as of course, he should value his life highly,
it seems to me natural that be should pay n cer-
tain sum for positive safety rather than put that
life in jeopardy. For instance, in travelling
rom Vera Cruz to Mexioo il he will first reckon !
hat so much is the fare by diigeneia, that so
much will be required for entertainment on the
way, and so much for the contingency you speak
If, he will then have the exact cost between two
loints and if he will look at the whole as the
um total of his journey, he will not seem to be
obbed by any one party more than another"
"That,' l replied, "may bel believe is-the
Mexican mode Of doing business, but does not
ally with the preconcelvcd ideas of us foreign
,rs."
'But every ene,' replied the fair speaker,
SHOULD conform to the customs of the country
ie visits"
"And do you then, go prepared for this high
way robber ? and have you no fear in this Jour
iey yOurselfi"
"Wel, Senior, what can do? am, as you
perceive, an unprotected lady, who, for certain
reasons, am required to make the journey be-
ween PerOte and the capital some twice or thrice
! year, and you certainly could not expect me
% go prepared to resist an armed band. As to
ear, have never met with any rough treatment,
md, of course, trust to the saints my fortune
Sill ever be as prOritods."
"And have you really been robbed on your
Quincy back and forth1' l replied
"I think have paid my share to the ladrones
or my transit through their eountrylv she
aughed.
"And you expect to continue repetition Of the
anne for the rest of your life ?"
"Who knows2" she replied. AT least hone
o be always prepared"
sand your fellow travellers ?" said l "haye
GU never seen any disposition to resist these
nlawful acts"
"once, senor, an American and an English
ian, who were in the same diligencia with me.