Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-12-10
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

EARLY one bright summers morning,
not many years ago, young naval &offi-
Ger named Stratford rode out Of Monte.
videu on his way to Colonia. He was
carrying dispatches to ship-of-war at
1.-The letter place, and being thoroughly
,aeqnalnted with the country, had been
singled out for the service.
He had not ridden far. on his journey
before he met three gayly- Dressed gdu-
chos, and, being well known all over
the 7,ana1,as. he was speedily recognized
by them, and was glad of the services
of one of them, Sanchez, as a compnn-
ion on the journey. The intention was
to push on to Welshford's g estaHcia by
way of San Jose and Santa Lucia, and
there pass the night pursuing the jour.
ney in the morning.
Nothing OF particular interest oo-
CURED during the long ride, and, at
about the expected time, Welshford's
was reached. and the hospitalities of the
s<22dgspGs afforded them. Dinner was
Sbeing eaten by Stratford and his host
when Sanchez, who Ind been wandering
among the poems, came into the dining:
room to inform them that there was to
be tertulia, or dance, at rancho
about three leagues away, and that, If
they would go, there were to be grand
doings. Welshford excused himself on
the ground Of fatigue, he having been
arduously employed for several days in
experimenting the shearing of his
sheep; but he said to Stratford, "If you
wish to go with your man, will have
fresh horses saddled for yon ut once.''
The offer was Immediately accepted,
and soon the officer and gaucho were
again securing over the plains, and in q
short time found themselves at the
scene of festivities. Tho dancing was
conducted outside, and the gay1y-
dressed Guohos and the mai ems formed
nplctnresque scene as they went into
the intricacies of the 6olero.
Stratford was introduced by Sanchez
as Don Ricardo, and Immediately be-
came lionized by the ladies; and, as lie
was the samesas most naval officers. ;hay.
ing keen eye to beauty, he was not
long in picking ont the best-lookine
maiden in tho assemblage. and she
seemed to. be Immediately fattered mt
tho attentions of the cabalzero inglesa.
She told him that she learned .ato
waltz while mt Buenos Ayree, and asked
him If he understood the ACCOMPLISH
ment. OF course he did; and the two
shaky old guitars, which gave forth O
Gvery dou bt full kind of music, struck sur
Sa Sas ftls1s ittnte to waltz-time, aud the
EngliehVlieutenant and the gaucho girl
went whirling in the mazes, the rest OF
the assemblage forming saG circle round
them, and madly applanding the per-
dominance, ,sas the sdance to most. of. them
was n novelty.
SANCHEZ seemed to think that the per-
forinanee of the lieutenant whom hehad
INTRODUCED to the company was such q
sucoessEthat it reflected great credit on
him, and, Immediately after they had
finished,z rushed over and. embraced
him, after tile fashion of his country. Is
Shortly after this little episode, STRAIT
ford wasElighEng cigar, when; he was
approached by q handsome young ga,t.
cho, in % agayS 45Oncho and soheyipn, and
Showing himself to be first class dandy
by The aprofnsion of silver ornaments
and heavy silver spurs that he wore;
aud, tapping him on, the arm, said
Gone moment, Senor Ingleaa; I have
word to say to you"
Stratford finished lighting his cigar,
and then followed him to distance of
about fifty yards from the party.
inlay / aslS what you want with me?''
sale. d..he. JIs
eyes, senor: that young lady that
you have heen dancing so)much with is
my aaooio" (sweetheart). "Are you
aware of it,?"
81 did not havo that honor" said
Stratford. "I am glad to hear it-she
is very pretty girl"
.sj"I called you out, <aenor," said the
gGucho, "to, warn you that d. not
allow any one tosdauce with Panchita.
Now do you understand? ?"
81 am sorry" said the Englishman,
:sthat you will have to make an excep.
tim in my favor, for have already
promised to dance tho next dance with
her."
"Then, if you do, remember, senor
you do it at your peril-you under
stand ?"
Enouoh of this insolence. fellow ,