Litchfield enquirer., 1876-05-04
Tbe HeroiQe of Watagorda,

1nere IS no country In the WOrld more pleasant to the eye, in early spring, than Southern Texas, particularly that DOT tion bordering on Matagorda Bay. The level prairie, looking like beautiful lawn, with long spaces of many-eolored flowers dotting the emerald expanse like fragments of fallen rainbow. Clumps of trees, suggestive of distant islands, break the stretches of green away to the north. while east and west the dense growth along the river-bottoms forms back ground to the beautiful picture.
 At this season of the year the cattle that have been feeding in the bottoms dring the winter, with it's cold northers. come out with their young. and in peace ful herds revel in the short, fresh grass. Deer by hundreds are constantly in sight, and the rivers and bays swarm with fish beneath and wild fowl above.
 There are many beautiful homes bor- dering Matagorda Bay to the north, but none that, in elegance and surroundings. equals that of Judge Delmar. He was once awealthy planter, and is now one of the richest stock-growers of that won-. derful pasture-land. A wife and son and daughter. constituted the judges family at the time speak of.
 To write Belle Delmar was beautiful, would be simply to pen what everybody said who knew her. And even the less favored maidens, who might be inclined to envy Belle the attentions her beauty brought, acknowledged, one and all, 'shs was as good and accomplished as she was sweet and beautiful" And this must be acknowledged to be high and certainly deserved compliment, coming from such source.
 In Texas where men hold land in pro- portion to the immense size of the States farms, or, rather, houses, are very far apart, and, to one accustomed to the densely populated East, it would seem as if the neighborly feeling could not be cultivated with so sparse population. In reality, it is just the reverse; ten or twenty miles dwindles into wonder fully short distance in such a country, and, as all the people ride on horseback, and live muchin the open air, there is 8 great deal of visiting, and the social feel ings are in 8 state of constant activity People think nothing of riding ten or twenty miles to spend an evening with 8 friend, for it is only an hour and half gallop back, which is nothing; it would take longer tomake the distanceon the usual accommodation" trains running into our cities. "
 While this living so far apart begets friendship and sociability, it is perfect barrier to such thing as gossip, which can only flourish in crowded villages and small towns, where there is large per centage of very idle, and, consequently very vicious people. eo
 The old Texans are 8 very gallant peo- pie, and, as may be supposed, Belle Dell mar did not want for admirers. Apart from the numbers, of more experience and personal confidence who came to see her, there were many of the younger and more timid callers at the judges honse who came to see Burnett Delmar, though that handsome young fellow knew very we'll that he was not the attrac- tion af'F 5 e.
 Burnett Delmar was 8 few years older than his sister, and seemed to be as popular with the ladies, and deserved ly so, as his sister was with his own sex a~es. Y
 Hewas very warm friendt to Ralph Aus tin, though Ralph but seldom put in an appearance with the avowed purpose of seeing Burnett Delmar. Belle was the attraction, and there was none so welcome to her among the many, for he had all the qualities of form, head and heart which sensible women most admire.
 Spring comes to that portion of Texas in February; by the end of that month all the crops are in, and all the fruit trees in blossom. Then there is period of rest till the branding season in April and May. . @t.- .s :. r It was the latter part of February when Ralph Austin. according to prom ise, came. down to Judge Delmars, in or der te have a weeks fishing with Burnett. who had the best yacht in the bay, and felt not little proud of his ability to sail it in any kind of weather. The judge and Mrs. Delmar had gone to Gall weston to pay short visit to some friends, so that Belle was left in charge of the household. and young friend | with her, who she often laughingly | leased her, brother about. '. l'a ! ro.morrow morning, sister Belle'