Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-25
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A PATRIOT.


WE ourlbk TIC uc3&ut VI A111Jkuuiou
prosperity. At every corner f-the eapi-
tai you were elbnwed by the red and blue
uniforms Of the French, and every now
and then the 'ran-tan-plan" Of some COIN
paDy on . march echoed and reLech0ed
along the streets and lanes of the City Of
Mexico. At the Palace gates. squads Of
Zouaves. on guard with bristling bayou
cts. denoted the presence Of royalty, and
kerr ~ all unwarranted int-usion.
Ths unconcerned look ( the populace
Appeared ~ have accepted the present
state as matter of fact, and they either
made way for passing foreigners or re-
specially bowed TO the Emperor, IS ne
whirled BY in his three-mule voiante.
A sound Of martial music Is heard com.
ing toward the palace; it Is Marshal Ba-
zsira and his staff, with battalion Of
Zouaves. The populace gathers and
IvrIn- hedge on eaih side Of the APP
preaching phalaDx. the French stepping
along briskly at the sounds Of the lnspir-
ing strains; they do not notice the lower
Ing IL Ks from under the wide brim Of
the '.sombreros, and the little Marshal
twirls his moustache with perfect contempt
nj the conquered rabble. He was in high
spirits; 81 guerrillas had been shot that
morning outside OF the gates. and tonight
he was invited to select game OF II, at
the little Jewess on .'Calie Grande."
Friend" says my companion. MexI-
can, after viewingthe scene just described,
1.-THE French are certainly blind. They
updervalue the power Of resistance exist
ing Ia this country. Not house but what
Is The abode Of consprators. and every
Mexican In the country Is an actor in some
way or other In the drama Of which we
have just viewed scene"
replied "How can it be? We hear
of 40 positive resistance, except in cases
of brigandage. which are summary pun
ished. a condition of the country, rs gen.
eral as YOU speak of, would come under
the notice or the Government and at once
be suppressed
well" said my friend, tomorrow
nightI invite YOU to come with me. and
without any explanation you can judge
for yourself, only you must understand that
whatever you see or hear must be kept to
yourself. Any delatioDs would meet with
immediate punishment. and whatever
might be the fate Of the persons accused
o. arrested"
II was dusk when we started to pay our
visit. After turning several corners we
entered one Of the narrow lanes leading,
AS general thing. to main street. The
house was like all Mexican houses, with a
wide coach gate leading to an inner paved
court. After pounding few seconds the
gate was cautiously opened, and pass
word having been exchanged, we were
ushered in. NY friend led the way up
flight OF steps into dimly lighted room,
in which n great many people were con-
gregated. men and women. Ny guide in
troduced me to Gen. Gonzales, who ap-
peared to preside, and having been led
around to each one | was soon at home
with both sexes.
Friends" said Gen Gonzales. II have
received courier from Oxaca and one
from Guadalsjara; the organization Of
the forces Of the republic is progressing.
aud. although the lives Of patriots are
being daily sacrificed, we will soon see
the dawn of our independence"
The young men who had acted as cour-
iers we're then introduced, both wearing
the costume Of cattle her,lers and both
being fine specimens of guerrillss; one
especially took my fancy. Henrique Hsrti-
nez. from Guadalajara. He was about
five feet seven or eight, with an elegant,
sinewy frame his well bronzed counten-
ance heightening the black luster Of his
eyes and hair; rs he gracefully bowed to
the company the dignity of his manners
denoted the most accomplished GENTLE
man. He at once joined young
lady who with smiles and extended
hands forced him to sit by her side. Hers
was face worth studying. She was dark,
like all Mexicans. but her features were
of a cast fit to have stood for . model to
Titisn's Madonna. As Henrique was re-
lating his hairbreadth escapes, depicted
with enthusiasm in which self was entirely
forgotten and sacrificed to the future in
dependence Of his country. Mathilda Cas-
tellado would follow every word of his
narrative, with her countenance denoting
the interest she took in the speaker.
"Henrique." said Gen. Gonzales, 81
give you till day after tomorrow morning
to stay with and visit your friends
Casting side glance at Mathilds) you
must then be ready to return. Tomorrow
evening call at my house / will give you
dispatches to Gen Diaz, which must be
delivered without delay"
My destination being Guadslajara, I
asked Henrique to accompany him. to
which he graclously consented; but he
gave me the address Of the place where
should meet him the day aner o-morrow
early in the morning.
CHAPTER II.
Daylight found me at the place appoint
ed. aud under the arch of the wide coach
gate stood Henrique holding his horse by
the bride and bidding farewell to Mathil-
dA.
''Oh. Henrique!" said the girl my
heart fails me this constant anxiety, this
everlasting shedding of blood makes me
shndder. Be careful for my sake. If duty
call you. do not be rash. Remember that
in losing you will lose all. Daily, at the
altar. l will offer my prayers for your
safety"
Henrique's knit brows showed how hard
Il was for him to control his feelings; he
seized the girl in his strong arms, i'm
printed an impassioned kiss on her FORE
head. and vaulting in his saddle beckoned
me to follow. When overlook him the
traces Of tears were still on his lace.
Our passports being duly vised, We
were soon beyond the causeway leading to
the capital. and on our road toward the
west Of Mexico. Ny companion was in q
- A..s Ysssl- A.