Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-10-15
A Mexican Romance.


Tamaulipas were fast merging into the
billy country around Santa Rosa. NJ,
little pony began to show signs of fatigue,
and | myself fclt that nights rest was
absolutely necessary. The heat had been
intense, and water scarce, as it always il
through a country where rain is almos,
unknown. My horses head attested the
extent Of his thirst; my tongue Glove tt
the roof of my mouth, and it was with o
longing sufferers from thirst alone can ap.
prccate that l strained my eyes to dis
cover some sign Of habitation through the
fast gathering gloom. At last, much to
my delight, l could distinguish the out.
lines of hut, where l was sure of rest
Hospitality to the stranger is not one Of
the striking features Of the Mexican
character, especially to travellers; but
carrying little to tempt the cupidity of my
host aud hostess, l cared very little for
the reception l was likely to get. NV
poor, jaded beast must have snuifcd water
and coming supper, for all at once he
accelerated his pace, and, before long
was dismounted in front of we'll built
harial, aud, in the best Spanish I could
muster, was asking for food and shelter.
at is a Gringo," l heard voice, the
sweetest voice ever heard, say. The
accents were so sweet, that, in spite of the
approbrious cpithct applied to all for.
eisners, | listened eagerly to hear them
again.
They we're no. repeated, and a man tall
and brawny, l could see in the cleaning,
came out Of the house and badc me wei.
come, taking my horse and bidding me to
enter at the same time. | needed no
second bidding, and entering found myself
in the interior of Mexican hut, such as
arc s'rcwed in all the highways of Mexico,
built of mud or adobe, with palmetto or
grass roofs but this one showed degree
of care and comfort entirely foreign to the
many l had seen.
Supper was already spread, not on the
floor, as in the usual style, but on a side
table, and consisted Of goats milk, dried
beef aud tortllas, the national substitute
for bread, to which was added a ponc of
genuine American bread. | was bewild-
cred! Cornbrcad and Mcxicans were ir-
rcconcilable, yet my hostess as we'll as the
old cronc who sat by the fire, were un.
doubtelly natives.
Ponaering the strange anomaly l began
to watcl, my hostess. She with light
elastic tread, moved about placing another
plate on the table, and preparing a ham,
mock for my accommodation. My interest
had already been awakened by the voice
of which | was sure she was the possessor,
but even had not such been the case, my
attention would have been riveted by her
great physical beauty.
That she was of the pure Indian blood
with no foreign admixturc, my experience
among Mexcans assured me. She was
than the majority of her race,
even among men-lithe and we'll proper
toned. The low, tight bodice common to
her class, displayed neck and arm cx-
quisitcly moulded, whose color alone, to
my eye. detractcd from their perfect beau
ty. Her eyes were large, dark and full of
sweetness, while her lips cannot be better
described than as fitting portals from which
should issue those sounds, sweet and musi-
cal that still fingered in my ear. The
long, black hair was plated, and
wound around her head, forming a natural
contrast.
l was still admiring when the master Of
the house entered. As the light fell on
his face, l no longer wondered at the civil.
ization evidenced around me for though
the once fair skin was Drowned to almost
as tawny hue as natives, and the ar.
dent Mexican sun had tanned the light
hair to red. yet knew Mexican soil had
never conferred tints on one of her chill
drcn, and even before he spoke, I felt
sure one Of my countrymen stood before
me.
"Stranger," he said, abruptly, using
the Mexican idiom, "are you French or
English ?"
Neither; I am an American"
"Then thrice welcome to the poor com.
forts Silas Wright can afford you," drop.
ping the Spanish for his native tongue,
that seemed far less familiar than the Ian
guage he had hitherto used. at is a
long time since l have had the chance of
having ono Of my countrymsn under the
same roof with me, and you are none the
less welcome for that stranger" and he
held out his large brawny hand for the na-
tional salutation.
At the word " American" Anita-so
my host called the young bcauty-turned
a look beaming with pleasurable surprise
on me, and murmured words of welcome.
You're all right on that side of the
house," said Silas, laughingly, for oil
Americans rank next to me 10 their ideas
Of perfection, though you mightn't think
much of such fellow as I am," stroking
his tawny whiskers as he spoke. I" It's nc
use talking tonight, for you uced rest
and unless it is mighty urgent business
calls you, l don't intend you shall leave
tomorrow. So, to supper, then to bed =
and, suiting the action to the words, We
were soon busy with our meal, which, nc
sooner finished l sought my hammock.
The next day I found even were l SC
inclined could not continue my journey
a.. l.. g. r.