The Russellville Democrat., 1880-06-17
A NEW MEXICAN IDYII-
Good Company.

with purple and glittering with gold. Thirty miles away one snowy peak seemed an airy tent let down out of heaven, and across it the breeze blows as freshly as airs across Eden when "the evening and morning were the first day"
 The road wound beside the little river Santa Fe, whose waters go softly, after rippling down in icy cascades from a lake pure as Tahoe, formed by melting snows from the mountain top. Along its margin the red willow losses it's branches lightly as lady's plume, and back in the hill country the pine trees sigh to each other their never -ceasing song. Over the rocks clamhering goats look down and shake their heads at the traveller, and the tlnkle of a bell falls pleasantly on the ear as the Mexican boys drive their fiocks to the river; and where the sheep are drinking an Indian woman carrying black jar on her head. erect and stately comes to wash her poor rags in the stream.
 It is all like the old Bible pictures. The sombre landscape, though sadly lacking color, is serene and pastoral-so filled with the beauty of peace and rest ful silence we thought of the ancient pilgrims iourneying in the shing white light of the Delectable mountains, and their talk with loving shepherds by the wayside. No fear of rain to spoil our pleasure there will not be one drop, nor is there even dew. Yesterday we breathed balm and incense; tomorrow we know will be just like to-day. The south wind has "quieted the earth" and the blue overhead is without spot of cloud, vapory mist or fog.
 Our party was quite large. In advance well-mounted lieutenant, in the glory of his first shoulder straps, rode close to the bridle rein of young girl, whose flying veil gave short glimpses of beau tiful face lighted with eyes of radiant hazel and the brightest smiles They were pair of lovers, loved by us at first sight. In an ambulence came s:out lady with color rather high than delicate, whose unhappy bonnet would not stick to her head but kept slipping down her back. Beside her sat weak woman from Illinois, born tired and un- able to find time to rest since that wearisome date. having barely life enough to be proud of her ten-year-old Rosa, as though children were the rarest things in the world. On little bu7To, or donkey, was schoolteacher, without special escort, but looked after by a dry old bachelor who had one romance in hls life and still wore the miniature of face, dearly loved and early lost. which has been only dust thirty years. For the old loves sake he treated all women with delicate reserve, seeing in them kinship to the lost Ideal they in some sort represent. Then there rode alone blonde and pensive artist, the author of many rejected manuscripts, who carried sketchlng paper and neat box of pencils. He wore the hair long and boots small, smoked cigarettes in- cessantly, and eyed the gay lieutenant in bitterness of soul. Several light car riages whirled past us, and Brown, the photographer, dashed by us on his own blackboard, drawn by gallant gray mules. 1 had only time to notice the stranger beside him had the blackest eyes and wore diamond ring of unusual size and brilhance, which blazed in the sunl'g ght as he courteously lifted his hat. Among the last to appear was an alumnus from Colorado College, who had electrified the whole board of trustees with his graduation speech, entitled, "The Gen. tennial State-a Nations Benediction." This callow youth in pinfeathery mous- tache, had made the Eastern tour, had a nodding acquaintance with the crowned heads of Boston, and in conscious su- periority overshadowed his companion, the Baptist minister, one of the meek est, spirits that ever starved its way to heaven.
 The army ambulence moved slew through the sandy red soil, but we did not care; the ssmountains-how grand they are !-were a perpetual delight. The fineness oi the atmosphere gave ex- quisite tint to the near foothills and the vast horizon. Clusters of wild yerbenas purpled the plain-a deeper shade of the far away hill purples-and strange flow CTS, yellow and pink, nestled in the short, moss-like grass. They never felt dew or rain, yet they did not ap- pear stunted or starved, but looked up brightly in the sterile sand as from a garden bed.
 Now and then Pueblo Indian strode silently across our way, and a Mexican in picturesque striped blanket saluted us in Spanish fashion with "Btenos dias sen0rds," as he drove h's cruelty loaded donkey toward the city Lazy Mexi- cans squatted in rows summed themselves against the low walls of their houses; and on a chimney flock of pigeons tamely perched, and watched the move ments of mower cutting the grass which grew scantily on the flat mud roof of his miserable hut.
 When we reached the chosen ground a fire was already kindled from the resin Ous boughs of the pinon, and lovers were straying of in shady places to find out what words the daisies are saying to youth and beauty.
 Brown, the photographer, introduced his guest, fine old Spaniard named Otero. He wore the easy air of a man familiar with good society and the lofty courtesy which marked the true Castil- Ian, may say the true gentleman any where. He claimed to be a hidalgo, by which is meant true Catholic SD lnish blood, without taint of Jew or Moor; was educated at Salamanca, and by training conservative, was quick to de- nounce Castelar, and his politice as high ly pernicious. In quiet way he was q great talker the flashing eyes alone be- trayed the intensity of his feeling, and, as no one entered into debate with him, he fell to extolling the glory of old Cas- tlle. Gradually the whole party was at tracted to him and he became the cen ter of circle of interested listeners.
 The fair rider with fluffy curls blown by the mountain breeze against the arm sne leaned on, bent forward and asked Why leave your own country for thls wild New World?"
 It IS long to tell the state troubles
 which drove me from home and made