The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-19


colored silk handkerchiefs, beads, fans, |
and such like trifles as were needed or
desired by the native California women,
who, with their half-breed children,
composed The families of the vacqueros |
Attached to the store was the Office OF
the agent, small rough-board building;
and. d.scsttered about were the huts of the
families just mentioned. This settle
ment went by the name of the proprie-
tors, and was called simply "Speddens."
Judith had only been here once, .
year OF two before, when she had known
no one connected with the establish
ment, and was in fact too much Of 4
child to remark the peculiarities Of the
place. With no knowledge Of towns,
having always lived the nonladic life of
the Texan or other western prairies, it
did not impress her rs being different
from those rude cattle stations TO which
she was accustomed from infancy. But
this morning she could not help feeling
4 sentiment of surprise at the pictur-
esque rudeness of the Spedden head
quarters; nor was the feeling altogether
separated from spirit of criticism. In
the ideal world she had been living in of
late there were elegant structures,
charming houses and cultivated scenes,
all rather vague and visionary to be
sure, but with enough Of tangibility
TO furnish foundation-roOm for her
thoughts to buildOn. From what she had
read and imagined, and heard from trav-
elers, she had come to expect that when
ever by some happy fortune she should
be transported from the low, two
roomed house which contracted her Wis
ion, she should be at once introduced TO
something very superior TO her own
home or anything she had yet beheld.
In her ideal world, too, educated people
were always found TO be inhabiting
places more or less elegant, as, according
to the laws OF fitness, they should. How,
then, could Mr.. Shultz, who knew such
a great deal, contrive TO live in such
place as this? All Judith's arguments
and conclusions, as was natural, revolved
around Mr.. Shultz.
That gentleman having not yet re-
turned from his mornings ride over the
estate, Boone and Judith, after having
secured an oak-tree shelter for their
horses, amused themselves with walking
from house TO house and glaneing in at
the doorways, where they seldom saw
anything but dirty earthen floor, the
inmates being mostly in the open air.
Small dogs, chickens and black-eyed
children were rolling in the fine, loose
soil promiscuously; while dark-haired,
scantily-clad, but not Unlocking seforas
gossiped together, or chatted with some
vacquero just in from his night-watch
over the herds. In one doorway, over
which 4 mission-rose was blooming, sat
q beautiful young girl, idly lingering
guitar, as If, lacking an audience, there
could be no motive for the exertion Of
playing. A white, ruffied chemise set
Off the plump, cream-colored shoulders,
and crimson skirt gave effect TO the
chemise. Crimson ribbons also con-
trasted brightly with the heavy braids
OF shining black hair falling over the
girls shoulders and brow.
No such vision as this, at once so
pretty and so Ji-dTre, had ever occurred
I to Judith, and she knew not whether to
admire or shrink from the spectacle.
B But Boone, who was fond OF music, and
played the violin in true Arkansas
style, whispered her to stop, and in a
curious mixture OF Spanish and English
asked the girl to play an air for him.
'Si, SeiIor," she replied with ready
politeness, and Immediately commenced
tuning her instrument, at the same
time inviting the strangers to enter the
house. Declining the invitation, the
brother and sister remained standing
outside while the senorita performed
with skill and taste several OF those
half-gay, half-pathetic airs in which the
Spanish people so delight, and which
sounded TO Judith's unaccustometl eai
like melodies from heaven, and made
her think better of the performer.
She thanked her entertainer warmly,
yet shyly, after which Boone asked the
girl few questions before taking leave
They were about turning from the dool
when n party or horsemen dashed past
and Judith recognized Mr., Shultz, &C
companied by dozen vacqueros just
come i'm. He, too, recognized her, ant
riding back, lifted his hat to the party
aud Judith observed that in salutini
them by name he addressed the Spanisi
girl as "Sehorita Inez," who returne'
his salutation with a pleased perturba
ton Of manner.
/ ave were waiting for you, Mr.
= Shultz," said Boone; wanting g. ge
, some things out of your store"
e shall be happy to serve you, Mr.
Miles," returned the agent, cheerfully
: and dismounting to walk beside Judith
t ITO what happy inspiration am in
4 debted for this pleasure ." he asked i'm
| different and lower tone, bending hi
r head to catch her answer.
"Boone asked me to come" answere,
= Judith. "He is going away to-morrw
: to Arizona" her voice trembling will
. many contending emotions, which MI
: Shultz perceived without understand
4 ing.
n "Ah, that is sad for you. But we mus
not let you unhappy be to-day. To
;, morrow will be time enough to be sa