The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-08-16
A Prairie Belle.

A Prairie Belle.
AsI was returning from the Plains
after having explored the Brazos River to
its sources in 1854, l met, near the most
remote frontier house, three girls, who
were accompanied by q young man, and
were picking wild grapes beside the road.
We learned from them that they lived but
short distance in advance, and that there,
was very fine spring with gcoG camp
ing ground, near their house and we re
solved to halt there for The aght.
AS we had u vacant seat in oar wagoa.
and as the party were on foot. inquired
if one of the young ladies would nol like
to ride with us to the house. Ono OF ihem
asserting, my companion. . New York
gentleman, very politely extended his
hand to assist her; but instead oi accept
ing it, she made sudden leap from the
ground over the side of the vehicle, and
landed directly by his side. This extra
ordinary feat Of arobatic agility, which
would have done credit to the Ravel
family, or any other professional artistes,
took us by surprise, and as we proceeded
towards the house we entered into con-
velsation with her, and were greatly iii
vcrtcd by the originality OF herideas, and
The perfect freedom and abandon with
which she gave expression to them.
She appeared to be about is year, Of
age, with rather masculine physique
her figure tall, erect and 1.-the. hut well
rounded, and exceedingly graceful aud
feminine in outline. the incarnation of
perfect health and vigor. Her face was
thoroughly Drowned by exposure and cx-
ercise in the open air-she had probably
never heard Of such hot-house appen-
dage as a sun-shade-and was constantly
lighted up with a cheerful, happy expires
sion, indicating an overfowing eXuber-
ance of spirits, which disseminated an at
mospherc around her, the fascination of
which was irresistible to those who came
within It's influence; and her laughing,
dancing blue eyes seemed ever on the
qui rire for fun and frolic. She wore a
closely fitting bloomer costume, with Il
iaunty little straw hat upon one side of
her head, fastened under the chin with
pretty pink ribbon, and her luxurious
natural hair curled in ringlets all over
her shoulders.
She was evidently the reigning belle of
the neiehborhood, as we'll as the favorite
spoiled child of her family; and she was
lust as wild, untamed, and free from alb
surd, tyrannical conventionalities of So
| ciety as the mustangs that roamed over
the adjacent prairies.
Nv companion related to her some of
The most remarkable incidents of our eX-
pedition, which seemed to interest her
vastly; but ut the same time her credu-
litv appeared to be somewhat taxed, and
would occasionally find utterance in such
calculations as ooh, git out" !" ''You 60
long, now w "Look at him p etc.. which
seemed the spontaneous outburts Of her
impulsive nature, and rather in the char
acter of a soliloquy than seriously in
tended to express doubt as to the truth
OF the narrative.
In one instance she became intensely
absorbed in my friends account Of Il visit
we received from the Comanches, and
some of the peculiar habits Of these peo-
pie, and gave vent to her feelings by ad
ministeril.g violent slap upon his knee
and ut she same time exclaining. me
h-e-ll you say. stranger giving par
ticular phasis to and dwelling upou the
most Objectionable word in thc sentence
She inquired very particularly abor'
our camping arrangements, and mani
tested a good dcaleot curiosity concerning
the shape, capacity and matcri. oi ou'
tent. She had never seen one, lt''99aaf
ed. and | remarked to her tbai atto, o'a'-
was pitched, if she woeiA homo e. "lt'
a cali, she would have good aeli'i'3i )
of seeing how very coutortai''c Fe ecu.
make ourselves in camp shis >ii.
turned around iacins me applied ae'
thumb to her nose with her fingers *
tended, closed one eye, and with ne
countenance assuming II most udicrous ;
severe expression, observed, 'Im alralt
of wolves, ole hoss."
AS was quite unconscious of having
intended any disrespect to the youns
lady, was good deal surprised at thi
exhibition Of indignation. What signiti
cation her remark was intended to con
vey 1 never yet learned; | certainly
never for q moment imagined that an,
resemblance could be detected between th
carnivorous quadruped so pointcdly al
luded to and ourselves. even iiad We beel
attired in "sheep's clothing. From th
savage expression her conntenance as
sumed, however, l did not feel incline
to press her for an explanation, an
: changed the subject as soon as possible