Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-01-19

N0samOnu Nray, the daughter Oh olu
Mr.. Gray, the banker at Cristobal,
town lying to the eastward of the
Mimbres, and famous as a market fol
the agricultural produce of the vast
districts bordering on Mexico. Ir
one sense I was happy, for my love
was returned; but in arother / had
met with what was almost repulse,
since Mr.. and Mrs. Gray, although en-
tertaining no personal objection to
me as a son-in law, were unwilling tc
bestow their daughter on any but a
wealthy suitor.
"Get rich, Mr.. Lyndham.' the bank
er had said, goodnaturedly, "and [
see no reason why Rosam and you
should not be happy according to
your own fancy. But neither hel
mother nor can sanction an uncon
ditional engagement"
l was in hopes l might take Mr..
Gray's advice, and by growing rich,
or at least by acquiring competence.
win Rosamond's hand, the prize | val.
ued above all earthly considerations
and such is the rapidity with which,
IN those argentiferous regions, fortunes
are sometimes amassed, that was
not without warrant 70: aspirations
which in Europe would perhaps have
seemed futile.
And now to explain the present
position of the firm, and the reasons
tor my undertaking a journey traught,
according to the rugged old militia
colonel's dictum, with almost certain
disaster. Curtis Brothers, who by a
long course OF judicious operations,
had raised themselves from poverty to
aMuence, had at that time on hand a
speculation of unusual Importance.
They had made, chiefly in Texas, very
large purchases Of horned cattle,
sheep, and swine, destined to feed the
swarming population of the sterile
mining districts, where provisions,
and meat especially, command high
prices. The investment seemed the
more likely to be profitable since the
twin plaques of New Mexico, drought
and locusts, had occasioned a notable
mortality among the cattle of Arizo-
ma and the adjoining territories, aud
great pecuniary returns were antici-
pated.
All these calculations seemed likely
to be upset by the sudden outbreak OF
that smouldering Indian war which
never quite come to an end in that
dangerous region. The Apaches, the
irreclaimable foes Of all white men,
were on the warpath, leagued, as
was reported, with sundry other
tribes, the Kiowas, the Navajoes, and
the dreaded Comanches and already
hldeous tales of Indian cruelty and
massacre reached us from many a
lonely homestead within reach of the
spoiler. The troops had been hastily
withdrawn; the caravans about to
traverse the prairie had halted for lack
of an escort; and it was thought rash
to venture more than few miles be-
yond the cultivated country. Yet the
day was at hand when the great herds
Of oxen and droves of swine, already
purchased, would be waiting at Girls.
tobal for the completion Of the bar
gain, and my employers were well
aware that unless the cattle could be
paid for in hard dollars, fatal blow
would be dealt to the credit of the
| firm. Mpssrs. Curtis had strained ey-
cry nerve to collect the read dy-money
necessary, and the funds were forth
coming, but the entire scheme bade
fair to be frustrated by the abrupt
closing Of the route, consequent on
the war. No man, or party or armed
men, could have been bribed to at
tempt the conveyance of the cash
across the plains, now haunted by ths
savage enemy; when astonished my
'employers by volunteering to be the
messenger.
"You shall not have to repent it,
Harry, my boy" said the elder Of the
two brothers, as he wrung his hand in
his own horny one; ''you've stood
manfully by us at this pinch, and we'd
be mean enough for niggers to tram
pie on If we didn't show gratitude a
little more substantially than by few
far words. We never yet did raise a
clerk to be a partner, but-There,
there, Lyndham; did not intend to
egg you on by an offer, as if you
need ded that" hastily added the honest
old fellow, fearing, as he saw the color