Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-09

ne was missing, and was never see
again by those who had employed hin
An examination was made to see if any
thing had been stolen, but every ma
had his own, and no one had lost augh
of his worldly goods; so the disappear
ance of Miguel was not a matter tina
caused any concern.
During the occurrences narrated
had been a sojourner at the camp nea
Black Gulch, and had become acquaint
ed with Jim and Mary Bennett. Re
garding me, perhaps, with a NOR
friendly feeling than they did tn
miners, they had upon two occasion
offered the hospitality of their cabin
when l was caught out in a storm.
| OF course l did not admire the char
aeter of Jim Bennett, for he was a vii
LAIN of the worst dye, but / would def
anyone having ordinary susceptible
ties not to become infatuated with hel
who passed for his wife.
She saw that / admired her, anC
guarded herself accordingly, and never
by act or look did she compromise the
relative position she bore to Jim Ben.
nett.
A few weeks after the disappearance
OF the Mexican boy, the whole camr
was thrown into CONSERVATION and
gloom by the death Of three miners
who were discovered dead in their beds
early In the morning. There were no
marks of violence on their persons, and
the door of their sleeping apartment
1 was fouDd sao,,rol-- loaI-ol nm
three men had formed part of the
gang that had hung Jim Bennett.
There was a great deal of investiea-
ton, but it resulted In nothing further
than belief that the men died from
sutfOcation or foul air. But when, a
little after, SIX more jurymen were dis
covered dead, under exactly the same
circumstances, there was a great ex-
cltement. A deputation Immediately
set out for Mol Benefits cabin, de-
termined to hang her, as they attribu-
ted the act to her. Later in the day
the men returned, satisfied from the
evidence Of others that Mol Bennett
had not been away from home for week.
l had been waiting for a party of
Missouri men to pass by that l might
JOIN them, and thus more safely cross
the Plains, for at that time it was
dangerous to venture far alone, the In
dams being very troublesome.
Two days before l started the last
three men of Jim Benefits Jury were
found dead In their hunks.
With one voice the entire miner COM
munity started for Mol Benefits. eth
er to hang her or drive her out of the
country.
1joined the party, hoping might be
able to appease the ire of those infuri-
ated men if they attempted any ILL.,
usage of Mary Bennett. But / was
spared all anxiety on this subject. Mol
Bennett had disappeared, and the cab
IN she had occupied was a mass Of ashes,
having burned almost the very earth It
was built upon. The men now scat
tered, and pursuit began in various d.
rectiOns, but each party finally returned
with no tidings of her they sought.
A few years later I found myself in
the city of Mobile. One evening was
induced by friend to visit circus, to
see horse woman who was turning the
heads Of all the men by her daring feats
ana beautiful face.
The reader will, no doubt, guess who
l recognized in this popular performer.
Yes, It was Mol Bennett, there was no
installing that splendid figure and ex-
qulslte face. | scarcely slept that
night, for l intended seeking her out
the following day, and l spent the
hours conjecturing how she would re-
ceive me. In the morning | hurried
To the clrcus-grounds, supposing |
could best get information there, where
Sonora Maria las she was called in the
bills was staying. Alas. the grounds
We're deserted; the company had de-
parted. For the second time Mary
Bennett had slipped away; but this
time her destination was no secret.
The company had gone to New Or.
leans. All right; that was my way. l
would tarry there a few days, if only
to look upon Mary Bennett again.
A week later l was in the Crescent
City, only to arrive the day Mary Ben
nett and the circus company sailed for
Vera Cruz
Now, perhaps the reader will not be-
lieve me when / say that my going to
Mexico IN the next steamer was purely
accidental. 1t will rather be supposed
that / was following Mol Bennett, and
had nothing to do with it: but
L do declare that the fair horsewoman
had nothing to do with my visit. OF
course l was glad of the opportunity of
transacting some confidential business
for. MIR. Valdes, as it would enable me
to see her who was very much of the
time in my thoughts.
l was three weeks behind the circus
company, so when l reached Vera Cruz
they were in Orizaba. My business was
transacted in few days, and / was at
liberty to 90 where | listed until the
steamer sailed. l therefore went to
OriZaba.
The circus company was there, but |
my disappointment was great when, on
visiting it, l found that Sonora Maria |
no longer belonged to it.
A few days previous she had married |
a Mexican officer quite suddenly, and |
had left the city. / posted back to |
Vera Cruz, and had begun to think |
about my return, when [ heard that
Col. Aguero and his beautiful Ameri- |
can wife had arrived to take passage
for the United States.
watched for an entire day in the
nails of the hotel, hoping to get a
glimpse of this famed beauty. for I
thought it might be Mary Bennett.
My efforts were at length successful.
Who should | meet as l was carelesslv
ounging along the corridors but Mi.
yuel, the former cook to the miners at
Black Gulch. He was dressed in a
'olonel's uniform. We knew each
,ther directly. Embracing me in the
genuine Mexican fashion, he drew me
nto his room to present me to
us wife, more charming than when she
occupied a cabin on the prairie. We
III three had a long and confidential
ak. Miguel's rise in life was nothing
Uncommon IN country where revolu-
ions are so frequent, but the union of
hese persons was something wholly in
to my mind. Before
be steamer was ready to sail, Colonel
AguerO's leave was countermanded,
nd he was ordered to the interior. as a
10 lla h