Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-03-29
THE BEAUTIFUL DECoY.
A TALE OF MEXICO.

1t is well known to all in any degree "a
miliar with the history Of Mexico, that o
system Of highway robbery exists in every
section of that miserably governed country
and through want of interference of the
authorities, this has grown up into such a
regular and formidable shape, that every
traveller must be prepared to put his life at
hazard at every stage, or he provided with q
suitable contribution for los ca6aileros de,ca
mino, (the knights of the rcad,) who, in the
event of finding you prepared and willing,
will make their levy with a politeness only
equalled by the smiling landlord, when he
receives your over charged fare for last nights
entertainment. Why such systematic bold
ness of ROBBERY is allowed--if not with the
convence, at least with rarely any nterfer
encc of the government or state authorities
is one Of those mystical matters which among
others, SO puzzles and perplexes the intelli.
gent foreigners; but that such is the disagree.
able truth, every traveller through tina,
wretched country can bear ample testimony
Some years ago, having business which
first called me to the capital Of Mexico, an
thence through the interior of the country to
the northward, | me, with several thrilling
adventures, which | have recorded for the
benefit Of whomsoever may take an interes,
therein, emitting only dates, they being non
essential to the interest Of the narraticns
themselves.
The first Of the series occurred on the route
betweens Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico
In Taex nr diligcncia running between
the nj mentionedI had taken pas
sage, and had passed through the beautiful
citMqf Jalapa. and entered the gloomy town
Of EyOte without meeting any unusual Incl
though being continually warned to be
Yh'h,ysguard against the dangers of the road.
AT PIE we halted for relay and refresh
- hhmy fellow passengers took leave
-of me, very solennly assuring me that, if as
saAed by ladrones or robbers, it would be
nafth better for me to take matters quietly,
and suffer myself to be generally plundered
than to run the risk or having my throat cut
for resistance, as had somewhat boldly pro-
claimed it was my intention Of doing.
thanked then for their advice, and replied
that | would take matters into serious consid-
Grafton.
At Perotc, repeat all who had been my
companions from Vera Cruz took leave OF me,
this being the end of their journey in that di-
rection; but there was one new passenger to
go forward whom, to my agreeable surprise,
found to be beautiful young lady some
t" enty years of age
Senorita Paula, as | subsequently ascer-
tnined her name to be, was indeed one of
those rare beauties seldom met with except
in works of fction-tal, graceful, with pro-
fusion of long black hair, soft, clear, melting,
dark eyes, features as perfect as ever came
from the bands of the sculptor, with an ami
nation of the most facinating, varying in ex-
preston with every changing mood of the in
tellectual possessor. A glance at her be-
witching 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 CONVEX
sation.
They tell me-" said I, that the route
between here and Mexico is very dangerous
one to travelY"
There is little to fear" she replied, with
4 sw, ct smile and melodious tone, "exccpt
from. the professional robbers, and they sell
dom F rm a ny one who makes no resistance" :"
at seems strange to me,p replied, !. that
you Mexicans should take such things as a
matter OF course, and deem resistance very
mpolite way of treating the knights of the
road, instead Of bodily asserting your rights,
and abating the evil by manly spirit of re-
sistance. For myself, must consider it the
most cowardy of proceedings for any respec-
table party to set out prepared to quietly
crafty the cupidity Of the ladrones, and un-
prepared to treat them to their just deserts"
Every traveller. Senor,' she replied,
: should, before setting out, cocnt the cost OF
his journey, and as, Of course, he should val
ne his life highly, it seems to me natural that
he should pay a certain sum for positive saf-
ty rather than put his life in jeopardy. For
instance, in travelling from Vera Cruz to Mex
co, if he will first reckon that so much is the
Fare by the diligencia, that SO much will be
required for entertainment on the way, and
30 much for the contingency you speak OF,
he will then have the exact cost between two
points and if he will look at the whole as
The sum total Of his journey, he will not seem
% be robbed by any one party more than
mother"
That" replied, may bel believe is
the Mexican mode of doing business, but
loes not tally with the preconceived ideas Of
as foreigners"
" But every one" replied the fair speaker,
g should conform to the customs of the coun-
try he visits"
And do you, then, 60 prepared for the
highway robbery? and have you no fear in
thus journeying by yourself,"
{" Well, Senior, what can do? am, as
your perceive, an unprotected lady. who, for
certain reasons, am required to make the
journey between Perote and the capital some
twice or thrice year, and you certainly
could not expect me to 60 prepared to resist
an armed band. AS to fear, / will not deny
| 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 evcr be prosperous" m
And have you really been robbed on your
journey back and forth e.
II think | have paid my sharc-to the lad
rones for my transit through their country r.
she laughed.
And you expect to continue repetition
Of the same for the rest Of your lifey'
/" Who knows J" she replied. At least J