Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-12-11
A PLAINS MAID.

In the year 1861 set out with
party Of spectators bent on making
their fortunes by mining for metals
among the mountains of New Mexico.
At the time of this adventure we were
approaching Santa Fe, where we propos-
ed to indulge in few days rest. Our
party consisted Of ten persons, couple
of scouts (old Indian fighters), an army
sergeant, who had been detailed with
three soldiers to this duty by the colonel
commanding the last military station
we had visited, and two capitalists
from st. Louis, together with lady
and myself.
It was an evening in early May, and
we were cozily ensconced in camp for
the night and near the center of the
continent. Everything about us was en-
joyable. It was clear, bright night,
although the moon was only half way
through its second quarter, and the stars
shone white and twinkling in the skies
of those highly rarified altitudes-a
fairy night for waking dreams, in the
poets mind of love, the artists of en-
trancing landscapes, the plainsman's of
his fiocks and herds and the military
hero's of gme and glory amid the gilt
ter of golden epaulets.
Sangaree, one of the scouts, was roast
ing on a spit brace of prairie hens,
while Colorado Charlie, the other scout,
was broiling savory vension steak on
the opposite side of the open fire. The
sergeant, the capitalists and myself
were socially seated together drinking
something stronger than water out Of
tin cups, while the lady had withdrawn
to the privacy and sanctity of her soil
tary tent. All were ready for meal,
with appetites sharpened by the bracing
breath of the springtide breeze. No ad-
venture Of consequence had befallen us
since we had left the frontier fort--all
had run smoothly as train on down
grade. Perhaps we were a little bored
by the uniform serenity Of our lives.
Man is an adventurous animal
The lady honored us with her COM
pany at supper, which proved entirely
satisfactory, after which meal the
scouts, the sergeant and myself fell to
at cards. The soldiers went busily to
work smoking short clay pipes. The
spectators pulled cigars and slipped
weak whisky and water, and all was
soothing and serene. Presently the lady
brought from her tent Spanish guitar,
and f1inging herself rather neglgently
on the verdant field grass pleasantly
proceeded to regale us with both song
and music She was striking and Pc
culiar girl Young, 1.-the and graceful
as gazelle, yet strong as she was sup
pie; of almost Hebraio type, still her
tawny skin and straight, black hair,
loosely falling to her shoulder, her coal
black, flashing eyes, her full red lips,
her low, broad brow and her high cheek
bones, aglow with colorLall these be-
spoke her half breed origin.
We had eagerly accepted her proffered
oompanionship at Denver, a high official
there having sent to us a message the
day before we started for the plains that
he was anxious to avail himself of the
opportunity of placing under the protec-
ton Of band of gentlemen young
lady traveller, who, having completed
her education in st. Louis, was on her
Journey homeward to Santa Fe, where
her fathen wealthy Indian trader, had
long resided. This young lady had been
visiting-the governors family in Colo
RADIO. The message added that her ia
Their would meet and welcome his young
daughter at well known trading sta
ton some distance east Of Santa Fe, at
which point he would then be sojourn-
ing upon business.
Of course we all fell in love. I am
not the last or least even probably to
the pack mule. The lady's loneliness
and good nature had wrought us all up
to a state Of idolatry and devotion. Her
name was Pouchee-Pouchee Blooming
dale. OF course she never alluded to her
pedigree. which was evidently mixed.
Nor did we, but it was known tc the
scout Charlie, who had impaired it to
us, that her father was a rich old He
brew Of Dutch extraction-Judah Blu
menthal CHS daughter having Angliciz-
ed her name), and it became gradually
understood among us that her mother,
who had been a Pawnee squaw, was
long since dead.
On the fine spring evening Of our tar