Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-01

Accordingly at III O'Clock of the day
appointed the lady and her attendant
were received by sister usher and con-
Quoted to the interior of the convent.
Passing through an archway, they found
themselves in broad, open court sur
rounded by piazza, the whole space
being filled with seats.
Opposite the entrance a stage was pre-.
pared for the graduating class. At one
side of the stage Raymer noted a brass
band composed of the brothers and pu-
pills from a neighboring monastery.
They were quantity clad in gown and
cassock.
Mrs. Stockton and her companion Sc
lected a central seat, over which she
raised q large parasol to shelter them
from the rays of the sun. Raymer real
ized that he and his friend were for
eigners in the assemblage. and he found
it necessary to give the utmost attention
20 she English selections in order to un-
derstand them.
Teresa Valencia, emerged from the
chrysalis vestments Of her convent life,
appeared first, the salutatorian of her
class, clad in white relieved by little
color in ribbons and flowers. The ex-
citement of the moment had brought
delicate blush rose tint to her cheeks,
and the slight tremor Of voice in which
she read her opening lines added to her
charms the grace of modesty.
Raymer felt grateful to Mrs. Stock
ton for giving him this enjoyable hour.
He half suspected she read his thoughts,
for there was suppressed twinkle lin
gering in the corner Of her eyes when
his glance met hers. The reader, recall
ing the lady's remark as reported by
Lieutenant Reed, that if she was q
young American gentleman she would
make it the object of her life to win this
treasure, may infer that she had
marked Raymer for the invincible hero
of her romance.
After the last blare of the monastic
band 8 somewhat discordant rendition of
"Sweet Home" the bishops chair was
moved to the center of the stage by two
young priests and table placed beside
it. Upon this lay rosaries, crucitixes,
missals and other churchly articles
prizes to be awarded those excelling in
scholarship, conduct punctuality and
devotion. Each prize winner, after re-
ceiving her award, accompanied by the
episcopal benediction, left the stage and
sought out parent or guardian, into
whose hands she gave the prize and re-
ceived it again with blessing and con-
gratulations The last prize given was
the highest and was awarded Teresa
Inez Valencia for best average scholar
ship Upon receiving it she came down
into the court and made her way through
the crowded passages to handsome
gentleman sitting at Raymer 's'right and
delivered her prize into his hands. AS
he took it from her he rose, bowed gal
lantly, and placing hand gently upon
her head, as she bent before him, said
in English: my darling, you fill my
heart with pride. God bless youp'
''Thank you, papa. You have been
my best teacher, and I owe my success
to you," replied Teresa in the same
language, again receiving the gift and
returning with it to the stage.
With some appropriate service of the
church the exercises closed, and the au-
dience soon dispersed. All resemblance
to an eastern school ceased with the
benediction. The girls, wrapped in
cloaks, their heads obscured in rebozos,
were crowded into closed carriages and
whisked from sight without delay. Ray
mer accompanied Mrs. Stockton to the
fort, thanked her for the pleasant enter
tainment she had afforded him and
started for a long walk to the eastern
side of the city.
Leaving the plaza at the southeastern
corner and descending to the river
which divides the town, he crossed to
the opposite side. There was but rill
of water in the bed, the bulk having
been drawn into the irrigating bitches
far above and conducted to the fertile
fields and gardens which extended for
many miles outside and below the city.
He walked along the narrow, dirty and
crooked streets, bordered by small,
shabby one storied houses Of adobe, be-
fore which played naked children and
in the doors of which stood dark COM
plexioned women, clad in red flannel
petticoats and white cotton camisas, the
common dress of the common people.
Huge, lank Mexican dogs rushed out
of alleys with furious barking, instinc-
lively recognizing the lieutenant to be
of race alien to their masters and as
instinctively understanding that the
safest course for dog was to attempt
nothing worse than bark.
The walk was continued to ranch
several miles beyond the outskirts of the
city, where the lieutenant remained the
guest of the owner until evening, wheI
he started homeward.
The return route passed in front o.
the convent nd entered the plaza at tn,
northeastern corner. When Raymer ap
preached the river, he saw ON the oppo
site side long mule train entering tn
city with freight brought across tn
plains from the far distant Missouri
Whips were popping and drivers shout
ing in exhilaration begot of prospective
rest from long and wearisome journe.
and the thought Of dissipation in
round of fandangoes and monte.
| Raymer's rapid stride soon brough
him alongside the straining mules an,
creaking WAGONS, and he was nearly OF
posite the convent entrance when he OF
served two women and man comm
down the street. One woman was ur
mistakably an ancient duena, and tn
other appeared to be young lady, he
face and figure closely concealed in re
} bozo and capa The man was young an
richly clad in a Mexican costume {
black, bespangled with small buttons
: plates, buckles and lace of silver. Whe
: the party reached the middle of til