The Shasta courier., 1866-11-03
SHASTA COURIER.
A Prairie Belle.

As was returning from the plains, saws
Colonel Marcy, having explored the Brazos
river to its source, in 1854, met, near the
most remote frontier house, three girls, who
were accompanied by young man picking
wild grapes beside the road As we had
vacant seat in our wagon, and as the party
were on foot, inquired if one of the young
ladies would like to ride to the house. On
one of them asserting, my companion, New
York gentleman, politely extended his hand
to assist her; but instead of accepting it, she
made sudden leap from the ground over
the side of the vehicle, and landed direct
ly down by his side. She appeared to
be eighteen years of age, with rather mas
culine physique, her figure tall, erect and
1.-THE, but well rounded and exceedingly
graceful and feminine in outline, the lncar-
nation Of perfect health and vigor. Her face
was Thoroughly Drowned by exposure and
exercise in the open air, and was constantly
lighted up with cheerful, happy expression,
indicating an overfowing exuberance oil
spirits, which disseminated an atmosphere,
the fascination of which was irresistible to
those who came within its influence, and her
laughing dancing blue eyes seemed ever on
the 0ui riue for fun and frolic. She wore
closely fitting bloomer costume, with Jaunty
little straw hat on one side OF her head, las
tened under her chin with pretty pink RIB
bon, and her luxuriant natural hair curled
in rinklets all over her shoulders. She was
evidently the reigning belle OF the neighbor
hood. as we'll as the favoTite spoiled child OF
the family; and she was just as free from
the absurd conventionalitles OF society as
the mustangs that roamed over the adjacent
prairies.
toJ 20 &c ba
most remarkable incidents of our expedition
which seemed to interest her vastly; at the
same time her credulity appeared to be some
what taxed, and would occasionally find
utterance in such CALCULATIONS as " Oh git
out" You go-long now." look at
him." etc., which seemed the spontaneous
outburst of her impulsive nature, and rather
in the character Of a soliloquy than seriously
intended to express doubt at the truth of the
narrative.
In one instance she became intensely
absorbed in my friends account of visit we
had received from the Camanches, and some
of the peculiar habits of these people, and
gave vent to her feelings by administering a
violent stap on his knee, and at the same
time exclaiming:
"The he-e-l-l you say, stranger !" giving
particular emphasis to and dwelling upon the
most Objectionable word in the sentence.
She inquired very particularly about our
camping arrangements, and manifested a
great deal of curiosity concerning the shape,
capacity and material of our tent. She had
never seen one, it appeared, and | remarked
to her that after ours was pitched. If she
would honor us with CALL she would have a
good OF pportunity of seeing how comfortable
we could make ourselves in camp. AT this
she turned round facing me, applied her
thumb to her nose, with her fingers extended,
closed one eye, and with her countenance as
sumng most ludicrously severe expression,
observed, " am afraid of wolves, ole boss"
As | was quite unconscious of having in
tended any disrespect to the young lady, |
was a good deal surprised at this exhibition
of Indignation. From the rather savage ex.
preston her countenance assumed, however,
l did not feel inclined to press her for an ex-
PLANTATION, and changed the subject as soon
as possible.