Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-07-05
2}l iseella neo II s .
The Beautiful Decoy.

1t Is We'll known to all IN any degree Ia
miliar with the history OF Mexico, that leg
ular system of highway ROBBERY exists in cv-
cry section OF that mseraby governed
ference of the authorities this has grown
up into such regular and formidable shape
That every traveller must be prepared to
put his life at liaZaid at every stage, Or be
provided with suitable contribution for
the knights of the road. who, in the even:
OF finding you prepared and willing. will
make tl,clr,eyy with pnli,ue s only equal
ID by the smiling landlord when he receives
your overcharged fare for your last night 8
entertainment. Why such systematic bold
ucss Of robbery is allowed. If not with the
connivnncc, ut least with rarely any inter
ference, oi the government orstatc author
tiles is one of those mystical matters which
anon. many others. so puzzles and per-
plexcs the Intelligent foreigner, but tnal
such is the disagreeahlc truth every travel
or through that wrctchcd country can bear
ample testimony.
Some years ago, having business which
first called me to the capitol of Mexico. and
thence through the interior of the country
to the northward, met with several thrill
| ing adventures, which have recorded foi
| the benefit of whomsocver may tax" an III
terest therein. emitting only dates, they be
ing uoncssental to the interest OF the mar
rations themselves.
The first of the series occurred on tn c
route netween Vera Cruz and the City D
Mexico. In the regular diligence running
between the places just mentioned. hat
taken passage. and had passed through thu
beautiful city of Jalapa, and entered thu
gloomy town Of Pcrote without meeting
with any unusual incident, though bcin:
continually warned to be on my guar,
arai,st the dangers Ut the road. At Perot,
where we halted for II relay and refresh
mcnts all my fellow passengers took lear'
uf me. very solemnly assuring me that.
assaulted hv the robbers, it would he mucl
better for me to take matters quietly an'
suffer myself to he genteelIy pundcrc'
than to run the risk of having my throa
,ul for resistance, as had soncw hat bold
lv proclaimed twas my intention ol doing
/ thanked them for their advice, and re
plied that would take the matter into Sc
rrious confederation.
At Perotc. repeat, all who had heel
nv companions from Vera Cruz took leav'
Of me, this being the end OF their journc.,
in that direction. hut there was one ncv
Messenger here to 20 toward. whom, to m,
agreeable surprise, found to be bcautl
fiji Young lady. some twenty years OF age
Srnorita Paula, as | subsequently learn
ed her name to be, was incecd one OF thos
rare beauties seldom met with except il
works of iictior-tall. graceful, with pro
fusion of long black hair-soit, clear. melt
inr black eves-features as perfect as eve
lrom the sculptor, and with an animation
the most fascinating, varying in expression
with every changing mood OF the intellect
nal possrssor \ glance at her bewitchin
dark eyes showed that she was ono VIII
wns naturally of II social disposition an
as we ratified away from the gloomy town
| took the liberty of opening conversation
.They tell me- said |, that the route he
tween here and Mexico is very dangerou
one to travcl.'
There is little f,ar,' she replied, with
sweet smile and in y mclodous tone, 'ex
cent from the professional robbers. an
they seldom harm any one who makes II
resistance.
II seems strange to me. | rcjnned, tina
ron N.yieaus should take sush things a
:, matter Of con: se, and deem resistance
y.rv ;mnolite way of treating the knight
Of the road, instead of boldly assertn
YOUR rights. and aha'ing the evil by man
iv snirit of resistance. For myself, mu'
consider it the most cowardly of proceed
Jugs for any respectable party to set OF
prepared to crafty the cupidity OF the rol
; bers, and unprepared to treat them to the
r lust deserts !.
Every traveller, Senor,' she replied
.befure setting out should count the Cos
Of the journey, and of course il is Aaiuf'