The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-12-13
RITA, THE PUEBLO GIRL.

| some cOngenial fellows in Kansas City,
where had taken up my residence at
the close of the rebellion, / scattered
my ''wild OATS to the four winds.
The result was that it took but a
few years to make me a drunkard by
habit, and also broken in fortune. Yet
another trouble followed. i could not
] get employment; all my friends seemed
to have lost confidence in me. felt
AS though was in desperate strait
indeed, and was standing on the main
street in very detected mood, when a
prominent business man, who had
never before made any pretension of
friendship. accosted me SAYING:
well, my boy, what's the matter
nowP"
1.-The matter, sir, is that I am COM
pietely cast down and want to go west"
replied.
You want to go west? Where do
you wish to go?"
ITO Colorado.
"Have you any meansP"
mo. Not cent"
That's bad! But l think it's the
best thing you can do, for I've noticed
your conduct"
'.For which conduct I am grievously
sorry" earnestly cried.
"Well, well, 1 hope so. IT YOU await
my return well let you know what /
can do for you"
/ waited short time. and. nv new
friend returned, and, thrusting in my
hand q ticket for Denver. said:
"Now, sir, as yOu are going to a new
field, hope you will make a man of
yourself"
l began to be profuse with express
ions of gratitude, when he put up his
hands, saying: - 80 =
''Never mind, my boy;,I, too. have
sowed my wild OATS and know how
it is" and thereupony he hastily left
me.
| arrived in Denver and was delight
ed with the place, and at once set about
to look for employment. Luckily for
me, l met a former acquaintance who
at once recognized me, so Iranhesitat-
ingly said: rs.
''Im in search of employment; can
you do anything for me?"
.'Can you saw board and drive a
nail?" he asked.
90, yes"
..ThenI can give you employment.
| for I'm builder, and have a number
| of contracts on hand"
To work l went as carpenters.
helper, and stuck to it for several
months, becoming citizen of the terri
tory of Colorado.
The election period came, and, being
something of politician, took an
active part in the political affairs of
the city and country, and was rewarded
with the nomination for county SUPER
intendent- of public schools by the
dominant party. But, alasl for my
commendable ambition to rise from
the condition of drunkard, some
very amiable friend exposed my season
of sowing wild oats" and gave me
away. The result was that / was
waited on by committee of my party
and requested to give place to some,
more respectable fellow. / gave way
to that other fellow.
Sorely disappointed and .cursing
| "man's inhumanity to man." bought
me hardy Texas pony, with the
necessary accouterments, to seek the
further shores of the Pacific.
Alone upon my pony travelled six
| hundred miles to the Pecos river. in
New Mexico. / came to place where
| the road to Fort Stanton forked, and
l observed there a shop kept by the
ever adventurous Jew, whom one
meets no matter in what part of the
| world he may travel. In quandary
which road to take, / rode up to the
shop, and upon the appearance of the
owner inquired which road went to
| Fort Stanton.
Lifting his hat he scratched his head
and replied:
"Vell, both them roads leads you
there; but the Won on the right lis the
shortest, but the water is all gone for
ninety miles. The other Won is fifty
miles longer, but there is plenty of
water, but the Injuns, tell you, is bad
very bad"
s'What, Indiansi Surely not the
| Apaches, for they are on the Stanton
reservation" / replied.
"Ah, mine good friend, they have
left it and are killing every bodies; so
you takes your chances and go with
out water, or lose your scalp, 'tis all the
same;" and so disappeared from my
view.
/ turned my pony to the left-hand
road without inquiring how far it was
to settlement. l thought, however,
l knew the road, for it was also the
one that led to Fort Sumner, abandoned
by our troops, where had soldiered rs
volunteer during the rebellion, when
but boy, and knew that there had
been another trading post which
ought TO be able to reach before night.
So on urged my jaded pony.
The darkness of coming night was
lowering when / reached the second
shop, but. it was in ruins and deserted
However, | dismounted and searched
high and low for water, but not a droI
could find. | was thirsty, and so wa:
my pony, but must go on till watel
was found, =
On, on, i rode till the milky way
was amid the heavens before l espiet
campfire. Looking earnestly
toward it. said aloud: s.This should
not be Indians; but Indians or not, ii
see."
When I got near the campfire
heard the bIeating of sheep, then thu
hoarse barking Of the ever-watchfu
shepherd dog. / continued on till
rode into the camp, and was greetet
by voice in the native language cry
4 ing: "llcllo. friend!"
Then saw live Mexican shepherd
ers reclining around the fire. They al
arose from Interpretations and appearr,
to greet me kindly: l dismounte'l
picketed my pony, and asked fo
water. 1t was readily given tome. ant
also enough for my pony. Then tax
, ing my blankets and saddle l made
= bed by the fire and reclined thereon
!, l was asked by one of the pastores
g wanted something to eat. Upon re
o spouding in the ailirma ative one of tn
Mexicans called:
o Rita! Rita!"
In answer came the esound of a sweet
girlish voice, crying: 49, = 7..''
I'll be there in a few minutes"
took an opportunity to scan tn
faces of my Mexican friends befOr
A. ,,..;x,al "a tho cxvooA-voieaH M n uois