Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-05
A PRAIRIE BELLE.

As was returning from the Plains,
after having explored the Brazos river
to its source in 1854, met near the
most remote frontier house, three girls,
who we're accompanied by q young man,
who were picking wild grapes beside the
road Asw had a vacant seat in our
wagon, and as the party were on foot,
inquired if one of the young ladies
would not like to ride to the house. On
one Of them asserting, my companion, a
New York gentleman, politely extended
his hand to assist her but instead OF
accepting it, she made a sudden leap
from the ground over the side Of the
vehicle, and landed directly down BY his
side. She appeared to be eighteen years
of age with rather a masculine physique,
her figure tall, erect and 1.-THE, but well
rounded, aud exceedingly graceful and
feminine in outline, the incarnation OF
perfect health and vigor. Her face was
thoroughly Drowned by exposure and
exercise in the open air, and was con-
stantly lighted up with cheerful,
happy expression, indicating an over
flowing exuberenoe Of spirits, which dis.
seminated 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 gti vice for fun and frolic. She
wore closely fitting bloomer costume,
with jaunty little straw hat on one side
Of her head fastened under the chin with
a pretty pink ribbon, and her luxurious
natural hair curled in ringlets all over
her shoulders She was evidently the
reigning belle of the neighborhood as
we'll as the favorite spoiled child Of her
family; and she WAS just as freefrotn the
absurd conventioRalities Of society as the
mustangs that roamed over the adjacent
prairies. Ny companion related to her
some of the most remarkable, incidents
of our expedition, which seemed to
interest her vastly; at the same time
her eredulity Appeared to be somew hat
taxed, and, would occasionally find ut
terance in such CALCULATIONS as 20, git
out, You 90 long, now, "Look at
him - ETC., which seemed the sponta-
neous outburst of her impulsive nature,
and rather in the character of soliloquy
than seriously intended to express doubt
at the truth Of the narrative. In one in
stance she became intensely absorbed in
nay friends account of visit we had
received from the Camauches, and some
of the peculiar habits OF those people,
and gave vent TO her feelings by admin
istering violent slap on his knee, and at
the same time exclsiming, The he'll
you say, strangerl" giving particular
emphasis to, and dwelling upon the most
Objectionable word in the sentence. She
inquired very particularly about our
camping engagement, and manifested
good deal of curiosity concerning the
shape, capacity and material Of our tent
She had never seen one, it appeared, and
Isremarked to her that after ours was
pitched, if she would honor us with q
call, she would have good opportunity
of seeing how comfortable we could
make ourselves in camp AT this she
turned round, facing me, applied her
thu NIB to her nose, with fingers extended
closed one eye, and with her countenance
assuming most ludicrously severe ex
preston, observed, II am afraid OF
wolves, old hoss. AS / was quite un-
conscious of having intended any dis
respect to the young lady, ! was good
deal surprised at this exhibition Of iRdig-
nation. From the savage expression her
oountenance assumed, however, | did
not feel inclined to press her for any
explanation, and changed the subject as
soon as possible Col. Aarcys NslO
Book Of the Vest