The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-01-17
5Seiertea Talt.
A MEXICAN ADVENTURE.

After many years spent in wander.
ing up and down the Pacific coast, oft.
EN- as far South as Valparaiso, varying
the monotony of land life by an occas.
oinai voyage in whaler, / found my
self one fair morning in the month o.
June, accompanied by a friend, hand.
some boy of nineteen, standing oppo.
site the cathedral of the city of Mexico
in the Gale st. Augustine, figuratively
speaking "strapped.
We had just counted the money In
our united treasures, John Bright's
| THAT was the lads name,) and mine
and found that between us and nothing
there were exactly seven dollars and
eighty-five centsl
ave are not only tired, but hungry
john" I said, as I looked into the
laughing dark blue eyes of my fair skim
ned fellow traveller, who appeared to be
at least three years younger than he
said lie was. "And he must spend at
least one of those pucos in that cafe over
there, with Autumn on the door, to sat
isfy the stomach. Once the demand OF
that important organ is attended to, we
shall have time to look about us and see
what can be done. But, Jack, don't
get scared" ftl
"Scared !" cried the handsome lad
with cherry laugh. 'sSince was cast
away Of st. Lucas, I've seen nothing to
be frightened at. I'll tell you, MIR.
Rogers, that I'm more concerned about
cup of chocolate, than ways and means
although how Wen ever manage to
get to Vera Cruz, and thence on board
homeward bound, with only a dollar
or so of capital, is more than l dare
imagine. But. never mind that now
let's have the chocolate 38#
While we were talking our affairs
over, near the great entrance to the
cathedral, l noticed a young, olive-com-
plexioned fellow pass us, and then
shortly afterward return and look, with
a curious expression in his eyes, at my
friend. also saw that Johns face
flushed as If with anger at this unusual
discourtesy, and he turned his head
away to conceal, as thought, his emo
ton. Hard knockings through the
world, said to myself as watched
this movement, have not blunted the
boys native modesty. NLii Elf
"Well, then, jack" I responded, in
as gay tones as could assume, swell
enjoy the present and let the future
look out for itself. Who cares, SO long
as we've dime in our pockets to buy
biscuit with, and cold water is cheap,
even In Mexico" LUl tifk
II go for chocolate, now" said John.
with his musical laugh, which to hear.
always did me good 'and bread and
water when we can't help ourselves"
"Well, that being the case, we'll visit
the cafe"
AS we walked up the calles the olive
com2lexioned gentleman followed; and
when we had taken seat at table, he
placed himself at once short distance
from ours, and before we could give an
order, called for wine, cigars and some
light food.
II wonder what that fellow sees in us
to dog us sog" l said, blunty to Jack.
"If he undertakes to mix in, as be seems
intent on doing, perhaps I'll give him
something he'll not forget in hurry"
"Nonsense, Mr.. Rodgers ~ the boy
would always insist on putting a ham
die to my name. alt is not likely he
will interfere with us. He sees we are
strangers here, and perhaps he is desir-
ous of doing us some service. Who
knows ?" and as j ohm thus talked no.
ticed more than once that his feminine
face, delicate as any young girls, and
far more beautiful than thousands
have seen, blushed crimson.
While thus eonversing, we discussed
our meal, and Notwithstanding our
pockets were lighter when he had paid
the bill, we felt in better hunor with
the world than when counting our mo-
ney before the cathedral, or while
pleading our way over the rough road
that leads from Acapulco, on the Pacif-
ic, to the capital of the Aztecs.
"Now, jack" sand, as we sat at the
table on the conclusion of the meal,
"what'll we do with ourselves until bed
time, and where are we to sleep to-
night 2" EL tsJl !