The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-09-03
Uhe Albang Registsr.
4 Mexican Romance.

Hdd DSeu TAuluS narO all Oay, anO al !
ready the dry, dusty plains of the State
of Tamaulipas were fast merging into the
hilly country around Santa Rosa. My
little pony began to show signs OF fatigue,
and l myself felt that a nights rest was
absolutely necessary. The heat had been
intense, and water scarce, as it always Is
through country where rain is almost
unknown My horses head attested the
extent of his thirst; my tongue Glove to
the root of my mouth, and 1t was wlsh
longing sufferers from thirst alone can ap-
preciate that l strained my eyes to DIS
cover some sign of habltation through the
fast gathering gloom. At last, much to
my delight, l could distinguish the out
lines of hut, where | 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 eupidliy OF
my host and hostess, | cared very little
for the reception | was likely to get My
poor, jadcd beast must have snuifed wa
ter aud q coming supper, for all at once
he accelerated his pace, and before long
/ was dismouu;ed il front of well built
harial, and, in the best Spanish l could
muster, was asking Cor food and shelter
1T is q Grin6o," | heard voice, the
sweetest voice L ever heard, say The
accents were SO sweet, that, IN spite OF
the approbrious epithet applied to all for
eigners, listened eagerly to hear them
again.
They were not repeated, and 4 man
tall and brawny, l could see IN the gioam-
ing, came out of the house and bade me
welcome, taking my horse and bidding
me to enter at the same time L needed
no second bidding, and entering found
myself in the interior of a Mexican hut,
such as are strewed In all the highways
Of Mexica, built Of mud or adobe, with
palmetto 6r grass roofs but this one
showed degree Of care and comfort en-
tirely foreign to the many | had seen.
Supper was already spread. not on the
floor, as in the usual style, but on a side
table, and consisted of goat S milk, dried
beef and tortillas, the national substitute
for bread, to which was added pone of
genuine American cornbread. l was be-
wildered Cornbread and Mexicans were
the old crone who sat by the fire. were
undoubtedly natives.
Pondering the strange anomaly l be-
gan to watch my hostess. She with a
light elastic tread, moved about placing
another plate on the table, and preparing
a hammock for my accommodation. My
interest had already been awakened by
her voice of which I was sure she was
the possessor, but even had not such been
the case, my attention would have been
rivetcd by her great physical beauty.
That she was of the pure Indian blood
with no foreign admixture, nv expert
cnce among Mcxicans assured me. She
was tall-taller than the majority of hel
race, even among the men-lithe anc
well proportioned. The low, tight bodice
common to her class, displayed neck
and arm exquisitely moulded, whose col
or alone, to my eye, detracted from thei
perfect beauty. Her eyes were large
dark and full OF sweetness, while her lip
cannot be better described than as fttin,
portals from which should issue thos
sounds, sweet and musical that still lin
gered in my ear The straight, long
black hair was plated, and wound aroun
her head, forming a natural contrast.
l was still admiring when the maste
of the house entered. As the light fel
on his face, [ no longer wondered at tn
civilization evidenced around me fo
though the once fair skin was browne
to almost as tawnY hue as q native.
and the ardent Mexican sun had tame
the light hair to red, yet l knew Mex
can soil had never conferred tints on on
of her children, and even before h
spoke, felt sure one Of my couutryme
stood before me.
stranger" he said, abruptly. usin
ho
English p
Neither | am an American"
Then thrice welcome to the poor con-
forts Silas Wright can afford YOU" dro1
ping the Spanish for his native tonou,
rhztseemed far less familiar than the lar
guage he had hitherto used 1T is a Ion
time sinceN have had the chance of ha,
ing one of \my countrymen under ii
same roof with me, and you are none tt
less welcome for that, stranger" and |
held out his large brawny hand for IL
national salutation
At the word American" Anita
my host called the young beauty-tur
ed look beeming with pleasurable su
prise on me, and nlurmured words
welcome.
"You're all right on that side Of d
house, said Siias, laughingly, for
Americans rank next to me in their id q
of perfection, though you mightn't thil
much of such fellow as am" strokil
his tawny whiskers as he spoke. s.It's
use talking tonight. for you need re
and unless it is mighty urgent busine
calls you, | don't intend you shall lea
tomorrow So, to supper, then to bed
snd, suiting the action to the words,
wi ere soon busy with our meal, whic
no sooner finished / sought my ha
mock.
The next day found even were
inclined could not continue my journs
for my horse was stiff and unfit for trav
Twas not sorry of the excuse, for "
anxious to learn something of my no
On inquiry l found he cultivated Indi
corn and such vegetables as could
induced to grow by irrigation, rails
herds of goats and large quantities
chickens, which he sent or took to t