The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-05-04
ghs Aanfoek Ssffersonian
The Bakers Daughter.
A Thrilling Tale Of Mexican Guer.
Tfilas.

the following thrilling story of the
Mexican guerrillas: rr
Medellin is a charming little town,
on the right side of the Rio de Tama
pa, pleasantly ensconssd in a deli
cious nest Of orange and lemon trees,
to whose perfume hundreds Of aro-
matte plants add their intoxicating
fragrance. But IL is as corrupt as It
is charming. Medelliu is the Baden.
Baden, the Washington of Mexico.
Gamblers and women of doubtful
charater congregate within its belt of
scented forests, under the domes OF
foliage and impenetrable ramparts of
green. Protected by the shade of
these fragrant walls, they spend their
time in playing monte, in cock and
bull lighting, and drinking, not only
Intoxicating liquors, but the waters
of the Rio de Tamapa, renowned for
diseases OF the blood and skin. At
night the men 90 out, shooting, rob
blng and numbering They hide
themselves behind the bushes, and
from hidden recesser stop the belated
gambler, whose ill.gotten gain falls
into their hands.
/ landed at Mcdellin toward the
end of March, 1868, at the very time
of the organization of the counter
guerrillas by Col. Dupin. My cor
respondent in that cisy was O wealthy
Mexican merchant who had declared
himself to be friendly TO the French,
nhonor of whom he was giving balls
and parties. AS had plenty of time
before me, and was besides, desirous
to study the manners and customs OF
the country, he gave Inc several let
tcrs of introduction to rancheros, OF
rich cattle -raisers of his acquaintance,
living some miles out of the city, and
in various directions. Strange 10
say, in all my visits around Medellin
a distance of fifteen miles, through
dense groves of banana and india
rubber trees, orange and lemon groves
and orchards, in the midst Of which
whole regiment might have easily
concealed itself. Inever experienced
the smallest accident. l frequently
met on my way lcperos common peo
ple) and rancheros colorados ant
soldiers, but never was disturbed il
person or property. Yet robberie
and murders were of daily occu
rance, and the city of Medellin itself
was regularly beseiged at sundown b,
bands Of guerrillas, who used to fir,
upon the houses, and upon the in
habitants whenever any one of then
was to Ice seen in the streets.
Among my newly formed acquain
tances, the one appreciated most wa
Il rich baker named Comaro, living
between Medellin and Vera Cruz, ant
supplying both cities with bread and
crackers. He had four daughters
Rosita, Pepita, Josephine aud AL
mancia, highly renowned for thei
beauty and graces. A man of refined
tastes might have objected to som,
of their habits, such as smoking Gig
gareLtos in company with men, drink
ing aguardiente, and abstaining from
wearing stockings, which are super
ceded among people of the middl,
classes by sort of loose pantaloon
tied above the ankle, and not alway.
very graceful. But, aside from al
these little eccentricities, Rosita
Pcpita, Josephine and Almancia wer,
really attractive. They danced, sang
quoted verses, played on the guitar
and did thousand little things high
iy appreciated by men of taste, an,
especially by the French, hose pro
verbal gallantry found there noble
field. Comaro, the baker, proud o
seeing his daughters thus admired
and courted, sacrificed himself to hi
pride. Contrary to the general con
duct Of his countrymen, exceedingl,
distrustiul and intensely hostile t
the people Of that nation, he receive,
them with open arms, invited then
to the house, and showed himself a
Frencly in his feelings as the Frencl
themselves.
In the minds of the enemies OF til
Empire, the Mexican partisans of tina
system Of government are hated NOR
deeply than its foreign supporters
This feeling is peculiarly noticeabl
in the low classes, among politician
and partizans, and, above all, anon
those who make professed banditt
No hatred so strong and so durabl
has existed since the Middle Ages
when Italian families, arrayed agains
one another, never met without a
lacking each other.
Comaro had everything in Ill
world man could desire-goo
health, family, large fortune, tn
esteem of the French. Marshal Fore
had written him a flattering letter.
. A French officer of distinction ha
respectfully asked the had Of one {
his daughters; he possessed all thi
could aatter the sentiments of fail
er, and the ambition of man, whe
suddenly he was struck down in Il
midst of his prosperity. II was &C
o tsinly a curious sight at the bal
, which my friend gave, to see Il
. Mexicans of both sexes--the men vii
: culzoneras and kind of black astral
en- plaid on their shoulders; the W
men in short petticoats, floating tro
s. sers, and the national re5csreo or si
scarf around their neck - earris
, away by the impetuous music of
dance unknown to our frost bitt'
: land, and comprehensive only in Il
country OF VOLCANOES and earthquake
uara and tbsra ware Reen the r,