The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-02-08
MUSTANG GREY.

Mexican war IN lSf5. / WAS making a
tour oi observation through the western
portion Of Texas, looking for AN eligible
location on which 20 commence my ca
reer rs a stock raiser The summer sea-
son had passed away, and October with
its hazy beauties fingered upon the
prairies, the low trees and tender mes
quite foliage, with q so!tnrSs and grace
that gave charm 70 81 tina, the eve
chaDcei 10 rest upon.
One afternoon, when the sun was low
ering itself IN the west, leaving IN tile
valleys shadows that the art Of the paint
er could hardly equal for softuess and va
ricty of shades, | passed through his
toric GnliAd. a small village on the Inn
pid San Antonio, and spurred my horse
ON toward the old Spanish mission.
which reared itself As some ANTIQUE,
structure. a link between the living
present and the dead past As | rode up
the hill leading from the river. ~ that
time Of the year fordahis, the mission at
traCtei nv full attention. Ii was al
mos: square, built OF rough stone. and
commanded a view Of the whole coun-
try. The walls were thick. windows
few. narrow and barred with rods of
iron; and from the sides and ends, in
tiers, were portfolios, from which, III
former days, the muzZles OF suns peered
forth at hostile men.
1t was at this SpOt-around this mis-
sion-where Fannin and his gallant sol
diers were slaughtered 10y the treacher-
ous Mexicans. The river, the waters OF
which look milky in their purity. that
dav were tinged with eGdying pools.
leaving the incarnation which distin-
guishes the corolla from the rose. Dis
mounting from my horse, my mind took
in at a glance all that occurred on .the
day Of the massacre, and a multitude Of
emotions thrOnged my breast. What a
change had taken place since that event
ill period Instead Of armed men.
bearing lance, sword and carbine, chill
dren played around the low, broad door.
and mp from the river was vending It's
way in the shadows Of the hill and strag-
Cling sunlight, train OF empty Mexican
ox carts-tifty or more-two wheeled
vehicles, and the small animals yokei
with wooden bars from one 10 the other,
on the fore part Of their sturdy heads.
The drivers, yaqueros, were custumed III
leather hreeches and jackets, and wore
upon their heads the inevitable som
brc-o. As the Mcxicaus goaded their
animals with long poles, in which rested
long, sharp pieces Of iron. up the ac-
cliyity, and on across the prairies, my
eyes commenced 10 take IN objects that
surrounded me
The mission had been transformed into
a caravans.iry. and around its door played
innumenble Mexican children, and dogs
OF the half wolf species sauatted in law
attitudes in patches Of sunshine that lay
around. Groups Of Mexican men an
women lounged about, talking in then
low, musical Spanish patois. smoking
cigarettes and blowing the light cloud.
Of vRpor above their heads IN fantastic
shapes and spiral columns
A short distance to the right Of thi.
group, on a square stone that projected
from the mission, forming the center O.
a cross, stood a young girl looking alb,
stractedly toward Goliad, the white stone
houses Of which Peeped through tn,
trees, and the quaint towers reflected tho
soft light as it came from the west Sh,
was apparently thirteen years Of age
dressed in black, and about her shoulder.
was the usual Mexican mantle, which
dropped down, and lay in careless rolls
resembling drapery around a statue. 4
foot, small and delicate, arched exquisite
", and covered with the Mexican gaiter
protruded from under the folds OF hei
dress, as It was disturbed by the win1i
Of the evening that crept in gusts up tn,
valley. Her hair fell over her shoulder
in auburn ringlets, and a. the wind sJftlr
lifted them the waning sunlight shoD,
through their golden folds with an in,
effable halo.
Who could she be had not vet seea
her face. Walking slowly to where sh'
stood, looked for her TO turn and con
front me but she did not. The profit,
contour Of the face wore perfect shape
but there was a seemingly cold beaut,
about it.
"Senorita, " ventured to say, "thi
is a charming evening
She turned her face full upon me.
WAS almost startled at the expression o
the eyes looking from a face that wa
beautiful to perfection. They were gray
but unfeelingly cold.
eyes" she answered, and her voic,
rang with a metallic sound.
"Do you reside in this strange place?'
/ again ventured.
"Yes."
"No more that was all the answer
received Now, / am not inqu;sitive
but / was determined to learn more abou
her
"Do you reside near the mission
miss % asked, persuasiyely, bendin;
my head until my face almost touched
her golden ringlets.
She turned her body, with back to me
holding her position firmly on the squar,
rock, and her figure took pose that
sculptor would have admired, the fold
of her dress and gown forming draper,
no art could equal, and shot her arm
straight out, and the finger of her brown
tapering hand pointed up to the western
slope to the top of stone house tina
just displayed itself from among tht
deep growth of mesquite branches inter
vening. No word in reply escaped her
She only relapsed into her old attitude
and looked toward the village.
"Senor %
Turning, a youthful Mexican wa
standing near me. He beckoned me Il
follow him. / obeyed reluctantly a
the youthful being who stood on tn
broad stone cross was really beginnin,
to become of great interest to me.