Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-12-20
CHAPTER VII

rode into the parade and dismounted.
Passing the reins to the waiting Cain,
he went in the direction of his quarters,
and through the windows saw Jenny
preparing the table for supper. Before
the hearth sat Dona Teresa penciling
something on flyleaf Of the little mis-
sal.
Pausing until she had finished writ
ing, the lieutenant stamped the snow
from his feet and opened the door.
Teresa was standing near the fire, look
ing into the blaze. and the missal occu-
pied its old placeSn the bookshelf
'The road is open, Miss Valencia"
said he, approaching the fire and spread
ing his hands to its genial warmth.
1.-THE sky is clear and still, and my pre-
diction of this morning is likely to prove
true"
"Thank you so much. Aren't you
cold after whole day in the snow?"
moving chair toward the hearth and
taking his overcoat, gloves and cap.
Hands and feet slightly chilled. 1t
was not uncomfortable in the sunlight
during the day, but it became little
cold after sunset"
'Was it necessary for you to superin-
tend the work."
perhaps not. 1t would have been as
we'll done in charge of a asergeant or cor
poral, but wanted to explore the road
half dozen miles into the forest to see
if we shall meet any obstacles tomor-
row"
NEED you accompany me tomorrow"
''It is better that l should go on many
accounts. 1t is not likely that Indians
will be on the trail, but 1 should fear
for your safety if l remained behind"
''Indians do not go on the warpath in
winter, l have been told"
'Not generally. Government is car
rying on the war through the winter,
the troops having an advantage now
they cannot have in the summer, when
the Indians ponies are in their best con-
dition. Of course it is impossible for
them to operate in this snowy waste, but
the valley of the Jemez affords some
1OluSCy anu ~ lOL u bCOUlOu VI UllO vi
the routes to their country. But really
there is not one chance in thousand
that we shall meet an Indian"
"I hope not" replied Teresa, with
much earnestness. Jenny, you may
serve the supper. We have made this
something of dinner, Mr. Raymer, as
you have been out since breakfast. p"
'The hour will seem more homelike
too. We early risers cannot follow fash
ionable usage"
Host and guest sat down to their last
meal together in the camp. Raymer, in
very desperation at the thought of los
ing sight Of this lovely girl, launched
into sea Of commonplaces, avoiding
the subject nearest his heart. When tea
was served, Teresa made some remark
which showed familiar knowledge of
American society, and Raymer asked:
''How does it happen that you know
SO much of our customs and are SO diff
ferent from Mexican young ladies in gen.
eralP'
Is that so surprising? Your question
shows your society experience must
have had its limitations, and that your
notions of Mexican young ladies were
not gathered from association with the
gente finas."
81 cannot claim intimate acquaint-
ance with either extreme of Mexican
life"
''Do you know any Mejioanas?"
MY acquaintance is limited to pres
ent company.
"Then l am unwilling to consider
you judge Of our people. Mexican Ia
dies are often highly accomplished.
You condemn or criticise without
knowledge of them. What are these su-
perior American manners? Are they in
digenous?'
Imported, perhaps, and improved
upon"
''I recall that some severe criticisms
have been passed upon them by eminent
English authors and travellers, and that
Americans abroad are still made sub
jects Of criticism by Europeans. Good
manners have no nationality, Mr.. Ray
mer. :"
''That is true T did not refer so much
to manners as to your knowledge of our
customs and the usages of our society"
Residence in New York did some-
thing for that. suppose you think be-
cause I speak your language well and
am somewhat familiar with its litera-
ture that l am superior to my associ-
ates."
81 thought You their superior in many
things. As for English, doubt if any
classmate of yours could speak it SO
we'll"
''No, but many could read it as
WE'LL"
"Was there one who could have writ
ten an essay-as you did-on the Lit
erature of the Elizabethan Era?'"
''You mean and have done as we'll as
I?' said Teresa laughingly.
eyes"
perhaps not.
''Then are you not little more
American than Mexican to that extent?"
"That depends upon what you mean
by American. If you mean that I have
had better educational and social ad-
vantages than my companions, reply
yes. If you mean American in the
sense of residence ON this continent,
then I claim to be more American
than you. That Plymouth Rock date
is quite recent when compared with the
settlement of New Mexico. The old
palace in Santa Fe was the scene of STIR
ring events before William Penn treated
with the Indians. Supposing that a
Raymer was among the Pilgrims, the
Valencias were on American soil nearly
century before. Who is the most
American-you or II"
81 will concede it to you. was un-