The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-12-06
RITA, THE PUEBLO GIRL.

I was young in years and fancy free,
and having fallen in company with
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. / could not
get employment; all my friends seemed
to have lost confidence in me. | felt
as though l 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
now?n
The matter, sir, is that l am COM
pletely cast down and want to 90 west"
replied.
You want to go west? Where do
you wish to go?"
ITO Colorado"
Have you any means?"
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 am grievously
sorry" earnestly cried.
"Well, well, l hope so. If you await
my return l well let you know what /
can do for you"
waited short time. and my new
friend returned, and, thrusting in my
hand ticket for Denver, said:
"Now, sir, as you are going to new
field, hope you will make a man of
yourself"
began to be profuse with express
ions of gratitude, when he put up his
hands, saying:
Never mind, my boy; /, too, have
sowed my wild OATS and know how
it is" and thereupon 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 unhesitat-
ingly said:
"I'm in search of employment; can
you do anything for me?"
"Can you saw board and drive
nail?' he asked.
80, yes"
Then l can give you employment.
for I'm builder, and have a number
of contracts on hand"
To work | went as carpenters
helper, and stuck to it for several
months, becoming a citizen of the terri
tory of Colorado.
The election period came, and, being
something of a politician, l 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, alas! 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
aud requested to give place to some
more respectable fellow. l gave way
TO that other fellow.
Sorely disappointed and cursing
"man's inhumanity to man." l 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
observed there shop kept by the
ever adventurous jew, whom one
meets no matter in what part of the
world he may travel. In a 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 is 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"
"What, Indians! Surely not the
Apaches, for they are on the Stanton
reservation" l replied
'Ah, mine good friend, they have
left it and are killing every bodies; so
You takes your chances and 90 with
out water, or lose your scalp, It's all the
same;" and SO disappeared from my
view.
l turned my pony to the left-hand
road without inquiring how far it was
to settlement. | thought however,
| knew the road, for it was also the
one that led to Fort Sumner, abandoned
by our troops, where l had soldiered as
Il volunteer during the rebellion, when
but IA boy, and knew that there had
been another trading post which l
ought to be able to reach before night.
So on / urged my iaded pony.
The darkness of coming night was
! lowering when | reached the second
shop, but it was in ruins and deserted.
However, 1 dismounted and searched
high aud low for water. but not a drop
could l find i was thirsty, and so was
my pony, but must so on till water
was found.
On. on. rode till the .'milky way"
was amid the heavens before | espied
campfire. Looking earnestly
toward it. l said aloud: This should
not be Indians; but Indians or not, I'll
See"
When l got near the campfire l
heard the bleating of sheep. then tho
hoarse barking of the ever-watchful
shepherd dog. | continued on till |
rode into the camp, and was greeted
by a voice in The native language cry
| ing: Hello. fricnd.'
| Then saw five Mexican shepherd