The Portland daily press., 1873-12-06
An Episode of Mexican Warfare.

80 COLONEL RAMON.
An Euisode of Mexican Warfare.
CHAPTER III.
The liberals had occupied the city for six
months and the new commandment had
tented the patriotism of the notables, by Dor
, rowing some thousands OF ptdstres with the
guaranty of the government.
m was near the end of June, the heat more
intoIsrable than usual, was epervating-and
every one longed for the rainy season. The
clergy, even organized magazine ent process son
to ask for rain. All the city followed barehead-
ed. there were tour cases of sunstrOke-but it
rained three weeks later. Really for the time
being we lived in peace. Negrete, now be-
come our enemy, had been sent to the envl-
rons of Puebla Col. Ramon who had not
been taken as reported-had not been shot.
In all probability he continued to command
the cavalry of his former chief, although his
name did not appear.
the colonel, had no other GROUND than his
bravery aud his military talents. Cited as
hero by the conservatives, he was to the hber-
ais a very dangerous man, who could not for
give him for having beaten them in twenty
battles.
Thanks to the temp Jrary tranquility OF the
CITY, 1 had resumed my old habit OF retiring
before 10 O'Clock, in order to arse at day
break. to work until the hour of my visits.
The evening before the 10th of July 1854.
in hunting for the hundreth time, in the old
library OF the Convent of Saint Joseph-de
Grace-by chance found an old dusty man
uscript hid in the bottom OF a cabinet. 1t
was, said . note written upon the envelope,
'sths history Of voyage" written 70 years
before. by religious missionary among the
sayages of California. The document must
Be precious, but, before enclosing 1t among
the manuscripts confided to the guardianship
OF Father Angelo, wished to look it over. I
opened the cover. an read.
TN the evening the Indians conducted us
to an imposing ruin, one Of the immense
mounds constructed by the Toltecs, during
their journey to Anahuac, and here are the
the notes which gathered next Gay on the
history of this people. whose name is synony-
nous with architecture"
NV hands trembled. my heart beat irregu-
iarly, my knees hit each other. never ex
perienced an emotion equal to that which ov-
ercams me in reading these lines.
Witnessing my emotion the old guardian OF
the convent believed me indisposed.
'Something unpublished on the Toltecs," l
said raising the manuscript above my bead
The good father smiled at my enthusiasm he
did not interest himself In worldly things, and
authorized me to take the precious bundle
away. In my gratitude kissed his hand ac-
cording to the Mexican custom when they sa-
Lutte a priest. gs.4.
eve shall bring you to the true Cod said
the good monk fattered by my homage.
placed my treasure on my breast; it SEEM
"a to me it would be safe only in my cabinet.
Reaching home. found the father OF little
Antonio and the vile of Perez Gomez; and
must follow them at once. After my dinner,
chastity eaten) received the visit of one of
my colleagues. How cursed the poor man.
BY kind Providence oiir wishes do not
change the movement of events; if my brother
had broken his leg, or his arm, on leaving my
house, / should have been really guilty; so,
since then, I refrain from all such thoughts.
At ten O'Clock i'll the evening, was free, and
placed the manuscript upon the table before
me.
II l had only listened to my Impotence, 1
should have commenced the reading of this
voluminous document at the place which had
attracted my attention at first, great mis-
take in case so serious. The reverend ia
ther in going to California, of necessity fol-
lowed the same track as the people who pre-
coded the Aztscs. A paragraph. ia bit of a sem
tence, an important word might escape me +;
what triumph for my adversaries owed it
to myself, owed it to history, to conquer my
curiosity, to commence my reading at the
first page and not skip single line. The
manuscript was in perfect state of preserva-
ton; upon the first page cross designed with
pen, then underneath, some words traced in
q round, firm, straight hand, clean and read
able. =. rl.sal -..I III
took notes as read, and towards half
past twelve / reached the famous passage
which would open in full my subject-the
Toltecs. / waited moment-just as took
up my pen again, the door knocker sounded.
Some one who is GstrGy, l thought. But no;
my Indian servant, stretched, according to
the habits of the men of his race, upon the
stones of the corridor, was speaking with
some one through the key hole. -s
st is caballero, who asks to speak with
you, Senor," he said, entering suddenly.
eau diab-who is it ?" s..
81 do not know; he says he is sick, and
wishes to see YOU"
'Open the door and let him in.''
had scarcely had the time to shut up
in my desk the document, when tall man,
his head covered with broad brimmed hat,
wrapped in a grey mantle, entered. He shut
the door in the face of my servant and came
forward with hesitation.
Aha, thought, it is some robber of dill
gence, who has received a ball and must,
have it extracted secretly.
The visitor took off his hat; rose up
quickly-Colonel Ramon was before me.
81 know, DOCTOR" he said in grave voice
that one can count upon your honor, and
your humanity" l bowed, too much sur
prlsed to answer.
"Will you consent to accompany me ?'
asked the Colonel. 81 wish to conduct you
to three beings who are very dear to me, and
who are suffering
81 am at your service, colonel"
''Do not give Inc that title" said he, shak-
L. LA,l -svtnk - 81
me my life, and have charge of souls.'
sought my hat. -. ..--r
81 ought to warn you, DOCTOR" said the
Colonel, whose voice trembled a little, ''that
!! shall not be able to pay you for your care,
for many months, perhaps"
Chat is nothing, senior, the DR.. Berna-
gius''- u. ~.
SIS as humane as he is learned; know
that. Listen TO me little; it is to my wife
and children that conduct you; they mnst
have medicine; and If my head is worth
10000 piastres, do not possess single SOU"
mo matter, Col-Senor, would say-let
US Co." Then Dethinking me, opened
little bureau which contained some piles of
piastres-" Take all you need, Colonel, l
shall be glad to have you" said 1.
The eyelashes of my companion closed
over his eyes; it seemed to me that there
were tears; he took with trembling hand
ohS Va VIZ PhCo VI oHNcr, ulu IL III MS vest
pocket, the same blue coat with black trim
mings, that he wore at the generals and at
the trench.
''Upon my HONOR said he, making tho
sign of the cross, or mine will reimburse
you sometime for the bread you give us to-
day." - ~......-
He wrapped his mantle around him,
moved forward, aud five minutes later we
plunged into the outskirts Of Pich0calo; just
as We entered an alley, watchman armed
with halberd and lantern approached us.
Blessed are the eyes that see you, DOCTOR"
he said recognizing me, will escort YOU"
do not take tina, trouble, my good Geron-
limo [ am almost there" r.-
''Who is sick ?" he inquired throwing the
light of his lantern full on the colonel.
my wife," replied the Colonel in an I'M
moved voice.
Il will conduct you home again doctor;
90 on"
"It is needless" 1 answered. 81 shall not
return till daylight"
i will escort you, nevertheless, as far as
the mouse n this hal fbar il,