Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-27
Stlrttta Storp.
TRe Heroine Of Natagorda.

There is no country in the world more
pleasan, TO the eye. in early spring, than
southern Texas, particularly that por-
tion bordering on Matagorda Bay. The
level prairie. looking like a beautiful
lawn. with long spaces Of many-colored
flowers dotting the emerald eIpanse like
fragments If fallen rainbow. Clumps Of
trees, suggestive Of distant islands, break
the stretches Of green away 10 the north.
while east and west the dense growth
along the riyer-bottcms forms back
ground to the beautiful picture.
Al this season Of the year the cattle
that have been feeding in the bottoms
dring the winter, with its cold northers
come out with their young. and in peace
ful herds reyel in the short, fresh grass.
Deer by hundreds are constantly in
sight, and the rivers and bays swarm with
tish beneath and wild fowl above.
There are many beautiful homes bor-
dering Ma,agordS Bay to the north. but
none that, in elegance and surroundings.
equals that Of Judge Delmar. He was
once a wealthy planter and is now one
Of the richest stock-growers Of that won
derful pasture-lsnd. A wife and 4 son
and daughter constituted the judges
family 81 the time speak Of.
To write Belle Delmar was beautiful
would be simply 10 pen what everybody
said who knew her. And even the less
favored maidens, who might be inclined
70 envy Belle the attentions her beauty
brought, acknowledged. one and all. she
was as good and accomplished as she
WAS sweet and beautiful" And this
must be acknowledged 10 be high and
certainly deserved compliment, coming
from such a source.
In Texas where men hold land in pro-
portion 20 the immense size Of the States
farms. or, rather, houses, are very far
apart, and, 10 one accustomed to the
densely populated East, ii would seem as
if the neighborly feeling could not be
cultivated with so sparse 8 population.
In reality. it is just the reverse; ten or
twenty miles dwindles into wonder
fully short distance in such a country.
and. IS all the people ride ON horseback.
and live much in the open air, there is .
great deal of visiting, and the social feel
ings are in 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 3 halfs
gsllop 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-
eentAge Of very idle, and, consequently
very vicious people.
The old Texans are 8 very gallant peo-
pie, and, as may be supposed. Belle Del
mar did not want for admirers. Apart
from the numbers, Of more experience
and personal confidence who came 10 see
her, there were many Of the younger and
more timid callers At the judges honss
who came TO See Burnett Delmsr, though
that handsome young fellow knew
very well that he was not the attrse-
ton
B0rnett Delmar was few years older
than his sister. and seemed to be -
popular with the ladies. and deserved
ly y. as his sister was with his own
sex.
Hewas svery warm friendto Ralph Aus
tin. though Ralph but seldom put in an
.ppsarsnee with the ayowed purpose Of