Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-01-24
Fof the SPECTATOR.
Letter from Colorado.

ROs1TA, Jan. 7th, 1882.
The last six months have spent in
Colorado. Each day 1 like it's climate
and its people more.
Here, let me say to every man and wo-
man in Virginia, If they come to Colo
RADIO with the honest determination to
work, they cannot fail to get on. This
is true Of Virginia, but much truer of
OF this State. Wages are far higher
here, and living can be had as cheap as
any place.
Rosita presents many curious features
to tender foot!
Perched high among the Rocky
mountains, we live in an atmosphere
much above that of Elliot's Knob-be-
ing 1900 feet above sea level. No cli-
mate in the world Is so good for pull
monary diseases. The summers are
cool and pleasant; the winters mild and
dry. Last summer was an exception to
this rule. the heat some days was almost
unbearable. We have had only one
snow this winter, and often q cloak is
oppressive.
We hear from all the mining camps
surrounding us,-BonanZa. Crestone,
Silver Cliff, &C., that in the spring they
expect boom. We don't expect our
valuable-a great many are at work
the most of them turning out rich ore.
The great Bassic mine employs three
hundred men, burns twenty cords of
wood day, and turns out from four
hundred to five hundred tons of ore Der
week. How rich this ore is, none but
those interested know.
Our camp numbers about 5000 souls.
We have three churches,-the Metho-
dist, the Catholic, and the Episcopal
yet there Is precious little religion in
Rosita. The Methodists are now hold
ing revival-if twenty are present they
think they have done we'll. The Eris-
copal Bishop was here several weeks
ago,-he promises to send us q rector by
the hrst OF February,-0ndaO aOe need him.
AS write boy passes my window,
who has become, in the last few days,
the lion of Rosita. Last week this boy
George Asyar, aged 18, and Gertie Par
sons, aged Is, determined to marry.
The wedding was kept secret until the
evening 1t was to be celebrated. Some
0mc1ous person announced the fact to
Gertie's uncle and guardian. This old
gentleman was the very person most
dreaded by the young couple, as he had
on several occasion kicked the young
man out of his house. There seemed no
reason that these two should not have
been united, save their extreme youth.
The irate uncle, with two officers, armed
with pistols and shot-guns, proceeded to
the Asyar dwelling where the ceremony
was to have been. Imagine the state Of
affairs. The girl bride falls fainting into
the arms of the boy lover. He threat
ems to choke, murder, and blow to
pieces the man who dares to separate
him from his darling. No tender feel
ings stir the uncle's breast. The Off
GERS lay hold of the ardent lover and the
pair are conveyed to q magistrate's of.
fice where the case is tried. The would
be groom is forced to give up his license.
having obtained 1t by false swearing
After severe etongue.lashing and many
promises never to do 90 any more, both
are allowed to return their respective
homes. But. alas! all human calcula-
tions are but human. Three days after
the wedding was to have been, Miss
Annie Murray, aged IA, an intimate
friend OF the would-b be brides, called on
Miss Gertie. When she left, Miss Ger
tie accompanied her. A short distance
rom the house they were met by
George, and the three disappeared for
several days. The town was diligently
searched, there being but two beds not
looked under. viz: tn Methodist par
sons and the Catholic priests. At last
tney were found in q friends house.
Tne uncle again, not guided by pity,
administered that, which If the young
LADY mad received more of as q child,
sne would not have needed at the ad-
vanced age OF 10. Again Miss Gertie
mad resort to fainting fits and Mysteries,
ana to such an extent it was thought
prudent to leave her and take charge of
George. Lo! human calculations are
again at fault. Georre rurns his back
on Gertie, publicly declares they have
both been TO blame, and that for his
part, ne means now and forever to give
her up. Thus matters stand for a Glav
or two. The Masons give a ball, and
while the wicked are dancinr and
the good asleep. Georges brother,
Fred, who, In the most unaccountable
way has turned lover, steals the Girl and
starts to New Mexico. where no license
is required to marry. The iron.hearted.
but Ia my opinion, stupid old uncle,
cannot give up. AS soon as the news
reaches him, he again, with the sheriff,
arms himself with pistols, and swiftly
pursues the departing couple. They
are overtaken at La Veta. about fifty
miles from here, just in the act of STEP
ping into the cars. The officers Law hold
Of young Fred, the uncle of his niece,
and Sunday afternoon they arrive in
Rosita. But now the scene chapgez and
Is no longer ludicrous. Poox Gertie has
lost her reason. She vill neither eat
nor speak. The great mental strain has
proved too much for her foolish young
brain.
i! did not mean to fill my letter with
this story of-can say true love s-but,
perhaps, l could have told you nothing
more remarkable. N.