Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-05-09
MiscellaneaMs.
THE VAMPIRE OF MEXICO.

|
There are few very learned gentle.
men-naturalists, believe they style
themselves-who argue that there is NJ
such thing as vampire or bloodsucking
bat. Gentlemen, am humble and un.
known, except in my narrow sphere Of
life, and compared with yourselves,
stand AS candle to the monday sun ;
yet venture to contradict you, and
state that it you had passed through a
little experience of mine you would un-
doubtedly change your views. have
not only seen these vampires, but very
nearly lost my life by them. An alb
breviated account was published at the
time in few obscure Mexican papers
as matter of news. TRANSACTIONS NAV
have appeared in English papers, but
think not. If so. they must have been
incomplete, and it remains for me to
present the facts of the case to an Eng
lish-rcading public
1t was in the early part o. June, 1889.
| was travelling for San Antonio paper
and printing house aud was just return
ing from trip to the extreme southern
portion Of Mexico | was on my way
from Oajaca to Tuxtla and Vera Cruz.
on the Gulf coast. intending to take
train at the latter place for the States
1t was one OF tho most uncomfortable
journeys had over undertaken. | had
ridden for the better part of two days
in II volancochc, II vehicle with two
wheels and no seat, the bottom being
made of ropes holding up mattress, on
which could either recline or sit Turk
fashion The motive power consisted
OF three little mules abreast, spurred on
by a worthy native. Jose by name. who
alternately rode the left.hand mule and
ran alongside, Keeling off string of
Spanish profanity that was positively
shocking whenever the little animals
would not go exactly as he wished them
to. The road was one of the toughest
| ever Travelled over. The rocking and
pitching of the volancoche reminded
me more than anything else of vessel
in storm at sea, only it was worse.
1t was nearing night when we drew
up to small place called Oxite. There
had, in times gone by, been quite col
lection of houses at Oxite, but now since
the pack trains no longer passed through
there, the main road having been some
what changed, and running three leagues
to the west, there was nothing there
habitablo but the posaro, or hotel, which,
in its day, had been quite large build
lag. The walls Of court, with sheds
and sleeping apartments on the inside,
showed its former dimensions, but only
four of all the rooms were in u fit condi-
ton for human being to live in. All
in all, the building had deserted and
forlorn appearance: The regular in
habitants Of the place were limited to
three souls, Senior Don Tivurcio Bel
tran, his wife and daughter.
After supper l sat on tho hosts YER
anda with his family, chatting as much
as my limited powers as linguist would
permit. Miss Juanita entertained me
by singing several old Spanish and
Mexican ballads in way that thrilled
me- She was very piquant, and what
of music the dilapidated guitar lacked
and our romantic surroundings I was
charmed and tbouob tired from INV
davis travel il was with regret that I
heard Don Tivnrc;o,s noIite ofFer IN
show m, 10 INV quarters for Tho n;obt
NV room wa. one aomewbat removed
from the others and furnished as well
ne I remombor With a broken s,ooi a
iar Of winter and buIrs hide +. Tho latter
I knew from cxncr;ence wos NV bed
60 snrcad;ro nv hlanke, mon !, Law
down but slecn 7 conlJ nn, Tbo ,;obt
was s,l,ry tha anor,,nont noorI. von,;.
lated and there sacmcJ 10 bc . tIonsand
croon;na th;nos ON mo boJs horc
,b;s 40 Iono ,e noss;hio and ,hon so;y.
;na INV hl,nkn, rushed on, into ,be
90 s x; Arar maIL;na .ho", eor
I'LL good ,a hianka, I'D,
s,nn,od ,.la go d;s,anoa sso,n Tho
hon.o and d;sroh;no gave cacb of
NV g,rments a oood shak;ng and bay.