The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24


forgive that. It may be, partners, that
have nearly as good a reason for re-
signing as old Jose had hope it will
be all right"
An awkward silence for moment
held the tongues of tho trainmen, but
presently one of them spoke up, saying:
IAN right, old man; why, of course it
will be all night, only Wen be sorry to
lose you, and if you're a-goin to git mar
ried that's excuse enough for any man.
Eyes, certainly; certainly we'll let
you off and wish you luck wherever you
60" said another, and his good wishes
were echoed generally around the camp.
1t was nearly shutdown when the train
reached the little frontier mission viii
lage Of San Miguel. The old adobe
house looked like soft water color
painting in the prismatic air. The ia
ther7 Of the mission came forth to greet
the weary band, and with appraised hand
approached the bowed heads and gave
them all his blessing.
Janey was good Catholic, and her
wedding took placein the fathers house,
with nearly all of her companions on
the overland journey and many Of the
natives of Gan Miguel as witnesses
John King could not subscribe to the
faith that was Inherited by Jauey from
her French forefathers (the only one
known to the Spanish-Mexicans of the
frontier( but he had been baptized in
his youth In the good old realistic Bsp-
fist style, and the marriage was not de-
layed. Away from all the scenes and
ties Of Der previous life woman must
feel the seriousness OF new wifebood
keenly, snd it was truly solemn hour
for Janey when she promised to be unto
John King helpmeet for all time. Not
that she he@tated an instant; her cour-
age in the face of difficulty had proved
her love and loyalty beyond doubt,
but the conventionalities and the sweet
surroundings of home and friends are
very dear TO wUnan's heart at such
time, and even PLAIN little Janey thought
with sigh OF the gown and the gifts,
the music and tho flowers, and the glory
Of the bridal day Of her dreams The
same day saw the welded pair start on
their way alone northward-to Just
what point nobody knew.
From the village the Santa Fe Trail
bent sharply to the northwest, the pass
through the range at this point being a
little to the the south of Santa Fe. The
Rio Pecos, q sparkling snow water
stream, irrigates the fertile valley which
is cultivated by the natives, and the
everlasting mountains look down on the
mud huts that have stood for two or
three hundred years In this notch, the
easternmost outpost of New Mexican
Catholic strongholds.
Greeted by the swarthy rancheros and
accompanied by the gayly dressed Gus
tom house agents who had come from
Santa Fe to meet the traders, the train
moved on through the broken range,
and for several days toiled up and down
the ridges and zigzagged around the
mountains before the tired oxen made
the last up hill haul onto tho table land
overlooking the capital.
] IlcIt a utlS Wdc hldho lOt thO 80 PN|N
of making preparations for the grand
entree." Every man washed his face
| and the Mexicans combed their long,
/ black hair until it shone, while the
! American plainsmen made pretense OF
smoothing theirs and eclipsed every thing
BY putting on a white shirt. The creak-
! ing wheels, now almost ready TO fall
apart they had become so dry, were
creased anew and everything put IN the
most presentable condition. All were
excited and impatient, and every man
being now his own master, confusion
and uproarious hilarity reigned. When
the start to the city was finally made
pandemonium broke loose, and the
wagons rolled down the hill with the
stiff kneed oxen on q run.
The eutrs population was out to see
the caravan arrive; the captain general,
the customs officers, people of all de-
grees, and the black eyed senoras and
senoritas peeped through the barred
windows or waited outside, their faces
half hidden by the winding reboza or
lace mantilla. Santa Fe was imme-
diately TRANSFORMED the old town
seemed TO wake from q long sleep and
become alive. On every side were
heard the cries, Ios Americanosp LA
entrada de la caravanaP "Los carrosF'
and there was hurrying to and fro by
the mounted cabaleros, all decked out
in their brilliant and jangling trap
pings.
Through the main street the long line
Of wagons is soon strung out, the drivers
shouting their loudest and goading the
jaded beasts to last effort. The crack
ing of whips sounds like fusilade, and
IN mere wantonness, or TO show their
dexterity, their wielders make the blood
squirt from the sides of the oxen, or
strike leader in the face until he reels
and plunges. Boys and dogs and beg
gars follow after until the round of the
plaza is made, and then comes the gen
eral scramble for the custom house, the
clamor of the interpreters and the
swar1ning of the country traders, and the
long journey of eleven weeks IS done.
Not quite 50 our story.
In the busy throng, yet somewhat
apart, stands Mexican who scans the
faces of the newly arrived men. They
are preoccupied and do not notice the
furtive looks of the black browed fellow.
Presently, with gesture of impar
tience, he turns 10 one near him and asks