The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-20
A jolt, whose rebound must have thrown

me OIL my seat, caused this remark.
Inc Mexican Zagal held himself poised IN
such perfect equilibrium near the coachman
that | did not suspect the punishment to
which condemned myself in usurping his
post My hands clutchng the leather straps
of the hood, my arms stitched by con-
tinual effort, i. would have caused me great
pain to throw the smallest stone at the
mules | did not know even where the bag
of stones had disappeared, of which / had 50
proudly taken possession at first. The moon
shone, and her light, by a sort OF mirage.
gave 10 the plain the appearance of a lake,
| wished to study this phenomenon, but the
conclusions OF the carriage were so violent.
that L grew dizzy and sick. L bit my lips
and closed my eyes. One of the Italians,
sitting back OF me, slept; his two compan-
ions smoked and talked. | understood Ital-
ian, and between two thumps, of which one
threatened to break my bones and the other
to throw me into the road, | learned that
the primo donna who pr. coded us in the
caleche, the Signora Tomasi, would stop at
Pueola to give there some representations.
one came from Havana, where her beauty
and talent had procured her many admirers
among Others the young Count del Moro who
was engaged in the troupe, under what title
l didn't learn, that he might live near his
idol.
''Poueretto! He is ignorant that the
Tomasi'is body without SOUL said one
oil the men,
"a 1t dy without a soul, Fante? If she
smiled upon you, you would love herr
You believe her capable of loving?"
The other, laughing, replied, ''you have
known her only year, or you would speak
differently from that. Do you know that at
Florence she struck her lover with a stilletto,
because he applauded Stefanone."
Jealous of an artist?"
Jealous OF woman; Tomasi has become
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of some mysterious adj
venture. They said at Paris that she was in
love with the Duke de NJ who disdained her.
She broke her engagement, and makes our
fortune to-day travelling with us. [ believe
she is tired, disenchanted-but she will re-
awake some day, and you will know then
what woman, what an artist TOmaS isl
The village of Aculcineo-of which Gomara
did not speak-for Of the two routes which
lead to Mexico, he followed the one which
crossed Perote-began to show its white
| houses. We rejoined the caleche. which soon
was left in the distance; and after having
changed horses, the diligence entered into
the intermnable windings OF the Cumbus, [
abandoned my place, which no one now
could dispute, resolved to climb to the foot of
the mountain. Taking the foot paths, one
could reach the summit in an hour-while
the diligence could not make the ascent in
less than two. In this way i could take
breath at Puente Colorado.
1t was daylight when when I reached the
bridge which owes it name to the ferruginous
| nature Of the ravine above which it is con-
stfucted; and it was gala day for the inhabi-
tants OF these heights when they recognised
me. While the old Antonio ran to find his
prayer book to show me, some one gave me a
| cup of milk.
The caleche, less encountered than the dill.
| gence. arrived little in advance.
The coachman saluted me in Indian
| fashion, kissing his hand to me. At this mo-
ment Tomasi alighted, and watched us curl
| ously. She drew near and asked tor glass
| of water; then withdrew some steps, after
having drunk. OF medium height, slender
there was in all her movements charming,
natural gracefulness. Her sweet glance, q
little sad, Indifferent, as seen throu h hel
veil, seemed preoccupied. But when Anto
nio-he had been great aduirer of the fail
sex in his day-turned exclaiming, '.Bg the
| Virgin! Look! What beautiful woman.
Doctor! ''Tomasi turned around and smiled
showing row Of little teeth, and gave US
warm piercing look, which troubled me,
for thought that she attributed to me the
rude exclamation of the old rustic. 1 was
mistaken-it was the old man to whom she
Set'S EItti hhS sue GutSItu Tie
caleche. What strange creature is woman
| The diligences soon appeared. In a mo-
| ment Antonio's farm house was invaded by
ten young women and crowd of young
men, chattering the harmonious italian Ian.
guage-in which A. de Cravaliez published at
Rome in 1905 the first translation known OF
the book of Gomara.
About O'Clock in the morning dusty,
GREATNESS, mute, we dismounted before the
hnfa al of Gan AL
toned to such journeys. the Italians COM
planned bitterly of the frightful path, strewn
with blocks of lava and boulders, over which
they had travelled. II did not complain
but The extensor muscles of my arms seemed
| paralyzed. Notnfhg less Than The prospect OF
the first edition of Gomara hindered me from
renouncng my journey.
Breakfast was ready when the caleche en-
tered the court yard; and Tomasi took her
seat at my side. The dining room Of the no
! tel was full of strangers; the notables, the
better to Justify their station, ran to salute
me in turn. l must shake hands between
! every two mouthfuls; and every movement
OF my right arm caused me intoerab!e pain.
The prima donna seemed surp. ised to see
me surrounded by SO many friends. They
knew that l occupied the place of za2al
they joked me, and laughed myself, although
not in the mood.
DWlhS IuC COHNStSdtlOn, l. UtSlOWeu upon
my neighbOr those little delicate attentions
that a gentleman owes to lady. She thanked
me in French, and complimented me upon
the purity with which [ spoke Italian.
The hour OF departure sounded. went
sorrowfully towards the carriage. "Will you
not accept a place in my caleche, Doctor ?''
said Tomasi, ''you will be more comfortable
than upon your seat. My maid will take a
| place in one of the digences.''
| bowed, too much overcome to reply. To
tell the truth, perceived, to MY great regret.
that my twentieth year was long since past
that | should not have sufficient sire 9Th to
reach Puebla, clnging to the straps of the
diligence. l had even thought to continue
my journey on foot.
Il shall be indebted to you, if ever see
| Gomara.''
Then 1 bowed again, while the young LADY
examined me with curious air. 1 informed
Gutierrez of the gracious invitation 1 had ac-
cepted; the intelligent driver replied by his
favorite grimace, winking and running out
his tongue. Suddenly perceived among the
crowd who passed around tie. carriages, one
of the cavaliers of Lobo.
For fifteen days, no robbery had been COM
mltted upon the route from Orizaba to
.Puebla, and it was said that the celebrated
chief of the band occupied the eDvrons of
Queretaro. l managed to approach the cava-
ler, wishing to send some message to his
Captain, whom [ did not personally know,
but who had recommended to my care two
OF his men. My manner awakened doubtless
mis- suspicion, for he disappeared. 1--WE shall
| be robbed" l thought. They called me,
took my place near Tomas, judging it pru-
dent to keep quiet and not disturb my COM
| paniOns unnecessarily.
~ o