The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-28

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Brigand Chief Melincho, who was out
lawed by either party, and whose blows
only fell upon the enemyof his country,
MaSimilian, although he had much to
revenge from those he served.
~ am Mexican, and proud OF it,
though my poor struggling country has
done little Of late to win the fear and
respect Of nations but nm proud of
the blood that flows in my veins and
thirty years ago, when but nh infant,
my father died, and left me nm unsul.
lied name, the memory Of his brilliant
reputation rs soldier, and the grandest
and wealthiest old place in Mexico.
"My fathers nearest friend, or rather
officer, Colonel De Leon, was appointed
my guardian, and in his hands rested
the entire control Of my property.
"When ten years Of age wns sent to
Europe, and remained there, receiving
my education in the best universities,
until I was twenty.one, and then | re-
turned to Mexico to find Colonel De
Leon, my guardian, had gambled away
al OF my wealth, except tile home Of
my childhood, and OF my grandfathers
before me. In this he was living, and
to nay reproaches upon his conduct
turned me from it almost a beggar.
II went to law to recover my proper
ty, but not q peros could 1 get, nor
could I punish him for his pertidy, as
my father, in perfect confidence, had
given him complete power over all.
"In q frenzy OF disappointment, I de-
termined to seek revenge and drive him
from my home, and, with q picked
number OF men, Iwent to the hacienda
one night and demanded admission.
intended to take him from the house,
make him sign certain papers, and then
force him to leave Mexico under pain Of
death il he ever returned to the country.
Contrary to my expectations, he resisted
me, fired upon my men, and, rs gained
an entrance into the house, attacked
me with a drawn sword.
~ ordered him off, but lie still nd
vanced, and, in self.defence, I fred
upon him, and he fell dead at my feet.
"The deed was done, and l had nc
course left mo but to fly, for he was
loved by the neighborhood, stood high
in authority with tho Government, and
knew death would be the penalty ol
my crime. i.
~ took from the house some valua-
bles which had belonged to my ances.
tors, and which, strange to say, he had
not gambled of, for they were Jewels Of
great price, and, telling my companions
to help themselves, 1 seized a candle
and set fire TO the mansion where those
OF my name had lived for many long
years.
"By it's bright light I fed from the
spot toward the mountains, resisting,
with arms, the forces sent to capture
me-for the servants had alarmed the
neighbors, and they had turned out in
large numbers to revenge the death Of
Colonel De Leon.
at was q bloody path We left behind
us that night, and its cruel deeds throng
upon me, in memory butit was brought
on BY his resistance, for, by the Virgin
[ intended him no personal harm.
"But to the end: l was outlawed by
the government aud my race, so I be-
came u bandit. My band strengthened
day by day, and each year the name Of
Melincho became more and more dread
cd. I wagOd war upon the enemies OF
Mexico, attacked government trhins To
pay my men, but spared priyate citizens
ind their property, and never allowed
one of my band to shed innocent blood.
"When NTaxipilian came to Mexico ]
fought against him and his followers,
and ceased my war against my own
government, for I knew That oil Of our
country's soldiers were needed to resist
the Franco.G .Germanic usurpation OF
Mexico. al 30 .Hl
"It was the year after I met you,
Colonel, and shortly after tho execution
of Maximilian-who, had he caught
Tuarez, would have dealt him o like
fate, and Americans would not have
felt the same sympathy for the Mexican,
lighting for his coantry, that they did
for foreign prince, battling for power
to rule tho people Of another tongue
yes, it was shertly after Maximilian's
death that ] came across a party of my
men who had surrounded q carriage
containing m old gentleman and his
daughter. They were Americans, tray-
cling through the country, the old gem
tleman having visited Mexico to look
after some mining property he had
there. ,4.0,. .
0My men, contrary to my orders,
had fired upon the carriage, and the
coachman and feotmnn were both killed,
while one ball had seriously, but not
fatally, wounded the gentleman. For.
tunateiy, the young lady remained un-
hurt, and though her face was pale
withfright and lier eyes wore IN anxious
look about her father, never gazed
upon so beautiful woman.
"Her reproachful glance met mine as
1 advanced toward her, and at once
assured her that everything should be
done for her fathers comfort, and my
men should be punished severely for
disobeying my orders.
~ then gave orders to have another
horse hitched to The carriage in the
place of one that was wounded, and to
my utter surprise, not a man moved. ]
repeated the order, and then one Of
them, o tall black. bearded fellow, whom
I had once before caught in mischief,
stepped forward and said:
"This is too rich prize to lot go,
chief, md I, for one, nm not going to
lose It."
al repeated my order, and for the
last time, for, seeing hewould not obey
me, I raised my pistol and shot him
through the heart" 8s..l
"Another Of the band sprung toward
mo with drawn kpife, but I sent him
10 ioin his comrade. and this cowed the
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