Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-04-18
MY FAIR ROAD COMPANION.

MY FAIR ROAD COMPANION.
At Perote, where we halted for re-
lay and refreshments, all my fellow
passengers took leave of me, very
solemnly assuring me that. if assaied
by the ladrones or robbers, it would be
much better for me to take matters
quietly, and suffer myself to be genteelly
plundered than to run the risk of hav-
ing my throat cut for resistance, rs |
had somewhat boldly proclaimed it was
my intention of doing. thanked them
for their advice, and replied that l
would take the matter into serious con-
sideration.
At Perote, repeat, all who had been
my companions from Vera Cruz took
leave of me, this being the end of their
Journey in that direction; but there was
one new passenger here to go forward,
whom, to my agreeable surprise, found
to be a beautiful young lady, some
twenty years of age.
Senorita Paula, rs subsequently as
certained her name to be, was indeed
One of those rare beauties seldom met
with except in works of fiction-tall,
graceful, with q profusion of long,
o'iSN soLty ClCdlr udl n
eyes-features as perfect as ever came
from the hands of the sculptor, and
with an animation the most fascinating
varying in expression with every
changing mood of the intellectual pos
SCISSOR. A glance at her bewtching
dark eyes showed me that she was one
who was naturally of social DISPOSE
tion; and as we ratified away from the
gloomy town, l took the libertyof open
ing conversation.
''They tell me-" said I, 'that the
route between here and Mexico is very
dangerous one TO travel.h
"There is little to fear" she replied,
with a sweet smile and in melodous
tone. except from the professional
robbers, and they seldom harm any one
who makes no resistance.
ut seems strange to me-. / rejoined,
''that you MeXicans should take such
Things as n matter of course, and deem
resistance very impolite way of treat
ing the knights of the road, instead of
boldly asserting your rights and abat-
ing the evil by II manly spirit OF resist
ancc. For myself, must consider it
the most cowardly of proceedings for
any respectable party to set out pre-
pared TO quietly crafty the cupidity
of the iddroneS, and unprepared to treat
them TO their just deserts.
Every traveller, senor," she replied,
"should, before setting out, count the
cost of his Journey; and, as of course, il
is natural he should value his life high
ly, 1t seems to Inc natural that he
should pay certain sum for positive
safety, rather than put that life in
jeopardy. For instance, in travelling
from Vera Cruz TO Mexico, if he will
first reckon that SO much is the fare by
the diligencia, and that so much will be
required for entertainment on the way,
and so much for the contingency you
speak of, he will then have the exact
cost between the two points; and if he
will look at the whole rs the sum total
OF his journey he will not seem to be
robbed by any one party more than
another"
That" replied, "may be, / believe
is, the Mexican mode of doing business,
but does not tally with the preconceived
ideas OF foreigners.
Blu. every one," replied the fair
speaker, 'should conform to the Gus
toms of the country he visits.
"And do you, then, go prepared for
this highway robbery, and have you no
fear in thus journeying by yourselfP'
'Well, senior, what can l dop am,
as you perceive, an unprotected lady,
who, for certain reas ons am required to
make the journey between Perote and
the Capital some two or three times q
year, and you certainly could not ex-
pect me to go prepared to resist an
armed band. AS to fear, l will not
deny have my share of that, but, SO
far, l have never met with any rough
treatment, and of course trust to the
saints that my fortune will ever be as
propitious.''
''And have you really been robbed on
your Journey back and forthp' | in
quircd.
81 think I have paid my share to the
tafroneS for my transit through their
country she laughed
''And you expect to continue repe-
tition of the same for the rest of your
lifeP"
''Who knowsp, she replied. "At
least j hope to be always prepared"
"And your fellow Travellers said !,
''haye. you never seen any disposed to
resist these unlawful actsp"
"Once, senior, an American and an
Englishman who were in the same dill
gencia with me fired upon the robbers.
killing one and wounding two"
''And did the robbers fire back?'
es. but fled Immediately, and fort
unately injured none of our partyp"
"AsIshould have expected, returned
j. You were not robbed on that occa-
sion, Isnpposcp"
ave were not, senior. but the two
foreigners subsequently paid dearly fol
their resistance, for in jouineying back
and forth both were killed. separated,
and at different times, near the same
spot. You SEQ these crosses by the side
OF theroad. senorp'
IL have observed them frequently
but here they seem 10 be much more
numerous" / replied, looking fortl
from the vehicle.
Each stands on the spot where
some one has met a violent death,' she
rejoined: "and, as we go along, I viii
call your attention to those which mark
the places where the foreigners mel
theirs"
Do you know" said ], that am
resolved TO emulate their example, lei
tie consequences be what they may 9''
"Holy saints defend usl'' she ex.
claimed; ''you are not in earnest
senorp"
90 Seriously SO. assure YOU"
You would only bring certain death
upon MS both"
"say, rather should tighten tn.