The Bessemer indicator., 1893-07-08
JUSTICE ON THE TRAIL
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE IN
NEW MEXICAN WILDs.
How . Traveller Suddenly Found Him
self Face to Face with Means to
His RCvenEo-Inoldsnt Of
an Overland Trip.

We made long overland trip last
fall in New Mexico. After leaving
socorro We went southwest through
gaps in tho Mogollon mountains.
One morning solitary horseman
added himself to our party and we
accepted his company on trust, as is
the fashion in the West. His expla.
nation that he had an important
errand in this country, also new to
him, was received by us without COM
ment So we shared our bacon and
coffee and journeyed together, writes
Francisco Trujillo in the Philadelphia
Times.
Ono day aftor travelling through a
rain-washed canyon. ascending some
rough hills and circling mountain,
we passed prospect holes, tho ma
chinery for mining scattered around
as when last thrown by careless
hands, large stamp mill empty and
silent and fine hotel without a guest,
and rode into streets where numerous
houses came to view. Doors wero
wrenched away and through broken
windows torn curtains tapped dis
mally, while from the front OF great
empty buildings the signs, Livery
Stable" "Restaurant." "Groceries, :"
looked down into deserted streets.
In a sheltered place child had made
a rude play house. On the Foor lay
choice bits OF broken crockery and
just within the opening. thrown
across box. tiny ragged sunbon-
net. We seem to SEQ the little form
within and hear the hurrying OF the
childish feet when news OF the flood
ing of the mine had called her to Join
in the common disaster. the hasty
packing. the general departure to
other places. How many who came
rich in anticipation had left poor and
disappointed! Since the disuse of
tho mine there is little passing on
these rough mountain roads. which
explains why 30 much was left dust
covered, undisturbed.
We stayed here for tho night, and
after an early supper explored the
camp. The children unearthed
amidst the litter In tho photogra-
piers room negatives of the place
and what had once been its people; a
little girl sitting with her doll under
big cactus, a lady leaning against
some rocks, o hunter, rifle in hand
and dead deer at his feet, boy on
his burro and many others taken
amidst the strange surroundings In
whi,h people delight to have them
selves pictured, while different views
OF tho town, its streets crowded with
people, showed what the camp had
k,- lrv a A1. do IL
home.
The stranger who had made him
self our companion joined US In look
ing at the negatives and suddenly
snatched one from my hand. "My
wife!' he cried excitedly. 1t was the
fair babyish face OF young woman.
her small round head covered with
short curls. AS he looked he spoke
to himself, What court could do me
justice?" He repeated this several
times and his mind seemed to dwell
on wrongs OF which we could only
guess, while his face expressed
mingled anger and pain.
In tho morning we started on and
met towards noon mountatneer
returning to his home in the hills be-
yond the deserted mining camp.
Our companion asked him question
and the only reply was audible to us.
Yes; l know him." the voiuble
mountaineer was saying; she's just
over that hill now looking for some
cattle. He's the wealthiest man in
this country and used to live. at that
camp you passed before the mine was
flooded with water; but when his wife
died at that place he buried her
without even board to mark her
grave. He was always mean to her
and some hinted around that she
wasn't really his wife. and had run
away from her husband. She always
seemed like an innocent. good little
woman. though" The mountaineer,
thanking us for the tobacco we gave
him passed toward the camp we had
left
Our companion looked carefully at
his revolver. and rcmarking. "Thcrc's
some game back here; do not wait for
me-" rode over the hill out oil
sight. Did we guess his errand
Did conscience ever reprove us that
re did not urge him to wait for the
slow. uncertain decision OF earthly
courts or the promised fallii<- of the
sword Of heaven's vengeaneep Upon