The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1875-07-08
A story OF the Peruyian mines.

The Indians are said to be aware of
the existence of many rich silver
mines in Peru, the situations Of
which they will nSt disclose to the
whites, Just as our Indians are said
to conceal the existence Of gold In
the village of Huancayo there lived,
some years ago, two brothers named
Yriarte, who were the most prosper
Gus mine owners in Peru. Having
obtained some information that.in
the neighboring mountains there
were silver veins, they senaa young
man in their employment to ascer-
tain the truth.
The agent took up his abode in the
cottage Of a shepherd, and knowing
the jealous character Of the Indians,
he carefully RETAINED from allnding
to the object of his visit. After a
short time an attachment arose be-
tween the young man and the shep-
herds daughter, and at last he con-
fded to her his desire to know where
the silver can be found. The girl
promised to show him the position of
a very rich mine. One day, when
she was going out in charge of the
sheep, she told him to follow at a
distance, and to notice the spot where
she would let fall, as if by accident,
her mantle. ron turning up the
earth at that place, she assured him
he would find the entrance toa mine.
The young man followed her direc-
tions, and, after digging for little
time, he discovered a mine of consid-
cradle depth, containing rich ore
Whilst busily engaged in breaking
out the metal he was joined by the
girls father, who affected to be sur
prised at the discovery, and offered
to assist him. After they had work
ed for some hours, the Indian offered
his companion cup Of drink, which
the other had no sooner tasted than
he felt convinced he had been pois-
oned. He snatched up the bag con-
tanning the metal he had collected,
mounted his horse, and galloped off
with the utmost speed to Huancayo.
There he related to his employers all
that had occurred, described as accu-
rately as heeould the situation of the
mine, and died on the following
night. Active measures were imme-
diately taken to apprehend the Ind
ian and his family, but without eff
feet, for they had disappeared, and
all traces of the mine were lost.
In Huancayo there resided Fran
ciscan friar, who was much addicted
to gambling, very common vice IN
those mining districts. He got into
great difficulties in money matters.
The Indians in the neighborhood of
his dwelling were very much attach
ed to him, as he was of kind and
generous disposition, and they very
frequently sent him presents of poui-
try, cheese and butter.
One day, after he had been loser
to considerable amount at the gam
bling table, he complained bitterly
of his misfortunes to an Indian who
was particularly attached to him.
After some deliberation, the Indian
remarked that he might possibly be
able to assist him, and on the follow
ing evening he brought him large
box full of silver ore. This present
was several times repeated, and the
friar was curious to find out where
the treasure was obtained He &c
cordingly pressed the Indian so very
hard, that the latter consented to
show him the mine from which the
silver was produced, and Oh an ap-
pointed night he came with two of
his friends to the house of the friar.
They blindfolded him, and each of
them, in turn, carried him on their
shoulders a distance Of several leagues
into the mountain passes. Atlength
they set him down, and the bandage
being removed from his eyes, he dis
covered that he was in a small and
somewhat shallow shaft, and was sur
rounded by bright masses Of silver.
He was allowed to take away as
much as he could carry, and when
laden with the rich prize, he was
again blindfolded' and conveyed back
in the same manner as he had been
brought to the mine.
While the Indians were conduct
ing him home, he unfastened his TO
sary, and dropped the beads at inter
walls along the path, hoping by this
means to find his way back to the
mine on the following morning; but
in the course of an hour or two after
reaching home, his Indian friend
knocked at the door, and giving him
a handful of beads, said, ''you drop
ped your rosary on the way, father,
and I have picked it up"
You may be sure after this attempt
to cheat his generous friends the fri
ar got no more silver from them.