The Portland daily press., 1893-07-22
SOME ODD STORIES.

copyright, 1893. by American Press Associa-
toni
Travelling along the Rio Grande valley
is not the best, even at this date, but it was
far worse % years ago, when the streams
were bridgeless and the quicksands so bad
that it produced no surprise to hear that
another man and horse had been lost in
their treacherous depths.
At the time of which write was con-
nected with railroad survey along the
thirty-fifth parallel, and we had our head
quarters at the town Of Albuquerque, N.
M, then a place of small Importance.
Even it's most sanguine inhabitant did not
dream at that time of the prosperity the
railroad would bring to it.
Of the population of l 500 do not think
so were Americans, OF whites" as they
preferred to call themselves, though some
of the New Mexicans were as fair as any of
our party The majority, however, showed
strong Indian and sometimes negro
strain.
The advent of strangers in those days was
always celebrated by fandango, and as
the New Mexican, like the old Mexican,
women are exceedingly fond of dancing
this form Of entertainment was kept up
nightly SO long as los gringoes-the stran-
gers-were willing to pay the fiddlers.
Not being dancer I did not care for fam
dangoes, but one Of my friends prevailed
on me one night to go with him and see
what he called ''the fun"
The fandango that night was held at the
fonda, or hotel. kept, think, by man
named Murphy. The hotel, like every
other house in the place, the church on the
plaza included, was adobe. The dining
room, long, gloomy apartment, made
passable at night by many candles, was
used for dancing.
Near the entrance there was the inevita-
BILE bar, and at the farther end platform
raised about foot above the floor, on which
was seated the orchestra, consisting Of two
fddles and a guitar
I thought the women by no means as
good looking as the men, but made an ex-
ception in the case Of one who was some
what famed in that region under the name
of Donna c. Anna. This girl was petite,
graceful as an antelope, and her pale, olive
features were as pure and perfect as one of
Raphaels madonnas.
AS may be supposed, Donna G. Anna was
the belle of the ball, and was not long in
discovering that young Mexican with a
dangerous looking knife in his red sash and
a dangerous glitter in his black, Indian
like eyes was inclined to monopolize all the
girls time, and evidently to her own annoy
ance as well as that Of others.
There were solu1ers, teamsuers ana Objects
in the room, all affiliating among them
selves and with the natives in the most
democratic fashion.
One of the finest looking fellows present
was Sergeanti Carey of the Fifth United
States cavalry, who was attached to our
escort. He had already distinguished him
self in number of Indian fights and had
been recommended by the officers of his
regiment for promotion.
This young man seemed to be captivated
by the Mexican girl, and on her part she
was without doubt pleased with his atten-
tions.
Carey danced with the girl many times,
treating her at the bar to native wine, as
was the custom, and when the fandango
broke up at 2 in the morning he helped her
on with her becoming rebosa and prepared
to escort her home.
The two had just left when Captain Ho-
bart drew me out and asked quickly:
''Have you pistol about your"
We all carried arms when not asleep, so l
answered, Eyes; haven't you one?"
II have, but want two"
"What forp'
Sergeant Carey is going to have trou-
ble / have been watching that dog of a
Mexican, Pedro, and if Pm not mistaken
he is lying in wait for the sergeant now on
account Of that girl"
I proposed to go with Hobart, but as he
would not hear to it handed him my re-
volver and stood outside the fonda door to
await his return, for we tented together.
The captain few in the direction taken
by the sergeant, though they had preceded
him only few minutes. He had not been
gone while one could deliberately count 10
when heard shout then awoman's shril
scream, quickly followed by the repeated
banging of revolver and the sound of hur-
rying feet.
A number of our people rushed out of
the hotel, and with these hurried in the
direction of the noise.
We found the sergeant bleeding on the
ground and Donna G. Anna in a faint be-
side him. Both were taken back to the no
tel, by which time the girl had revived
Our doctor CHANGED to be present. He made
hurried examination of the sergeant's
wound, shook his head sadly and muttered:
''Poor fellowl He is calledr"
The dagger had just escaped the heart.
The blade was driven entirely through the
left lung, and the point entered the spine.
bent over the dying mamie had been
a favorite with me--aud asked:
''Who stabbed you, sergeant?"
81 do not know" he gasped.
''But do" said the girl, now kneeling
beside the bed and holding his hand.
'sWho was it,"
''That black dog. Pedrol'
''You are sure?"
"As that Christ diedp' she exclaimed.
At this juncture Captain Hobart came
in, painting like man after hard run.
PEDRO did this" he said, with an oath.
st fired at the murderer, but as he was
running and it was dark l am afraid did
not even touch him."
Just as the day was dawning the ser
coopf dioH oYd %Io< wa fJlrspQ