The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-08-02
AMERICAN SWEETHEART

Far out in the wilds Of the Mexican
xierras, about one days travel west OF
Guadalupe Calvo, the trail leading
1rom Morales leaves the ridge along
,vhieh il climbs and plunges down into
&he depths Of the Canyon de Muerto.
there winding in and out Of the pines
md powders until il reaches the ford
~ stream, the Rio Chico. which
rushes through the gorge and on its
wild fight for the sea.
Down this trail, late in the afternoon
nj day some few years ago. rode
Young man. Jack Rawlston. the new
manager Of the Alta Mining company.
then on his way TO take charge OF
their mines near Morales. lie was
wrapped close in an oiiskin slicker. for
the rain was falling as it falls only IN
the mountains of Mexico. Reaching
the ford he drew his mule in under the
shelter of an overhanging bluff and i'm
maternity awaited the coming Of his
men. whose shouts and curses could be
heard in the canyonside above As they
urged to greater speed some half .
dozen pack animals. slowly picking
their way down the slippery trail.
As they drew near. one of the men.
Pancho, who acted as = guide hurried
10 l,awlstons side and. pointing to the
stream. now rushing torrent. cried:
"Valgame Dios, the little river IS
very great this day. There is much
water, senior. and deep. We no can
cross: not until to- morrow, when !.
will be well. 81, senior, en- 10 manana
sta 'ueno"
"Yes. but tonight. man. We can't
camp here; there is not enough level
ground to raise tent on Get Us out Oh
this exclaimed Eawlston.
.sSenor," replied the man. as he drew
his wet serape closer about him. "a liz
tie rancho lies down the river short
way, where lives Juan Montana. vii
the senior go there?'
will the senior go there shouted
Rawlston. "Yes. confound you. BON
bre, the senior will. Move on
With a cry Of "Ade-lan-te. Vamon
osr and swearing great mouth-fillint
Mexican oaths at his assistants as wei
as at the mules, Pancho started TN
train down the canyon on its way 10
little valley of just few hundre'
acres. nestled there where the gorg
widened out rs either wall spread ava.
in great broken ridges. sweeping grand
~ off to the south.
1t was hardly a rancho. this place O
Juan Montano's. only few patches Q
growing maize and frijoles, amid which
in grove of pines. rested house Q
logs with a wide portico roughl
matched with bundles of cornstalk'
while a jacal-a rooted palisade Q
poles chinked and covered with adoo
mud-adjoincl the house on one sid'
serving as a kitchen.
As Rawlston. leading the way. al
preached from the valley. dog gay
the alarm. and an elderly man. mu
fed in serape and slowly punng
cigarrito. came out into the portic'
while at the low door OF the Jaca
amid the whiffs of smoke within. al
peared a brown-faced woman. and 10
hind her three girls, shyly peepin
forth at the stranger as he drew up an
asked for accommodation FOR the nigh
Isl, senior" replied Juan. in rcspon
TO his request. "Dismount and con
in from the rain. My house Is at yol
service; entrar. senior, entrar. and
took the Winchester that Rawist'
handed him. giving IL lingerii
clarce as he placed it carefully again
the wall.
And supper. senor." he continue
..will you have supper? 81? Sta 'uen.
and. reaching up. he seized one of
number Of chickens perched benea
the roof. wrung its neck. tossed II ov
to the woman. saying: For the sem
and coffee and milk. pronto. And 81
70 the mozos OF tortill-s and frijoles
plenty
Turning. and with: Permit n
senior to Rawlston. who was engag
in removing his wet slicker. Juan dr.
the Winchester from its scabbard "A
critically examined IL. exclaiming
he did so: "Muy bonito carbino. sens
Once | possessed one; not like IL
senor-a carbine-but caramba. an
dian stole it-may the devil take
soul-and l am too poor TO buy
other. miss il much. senior. for
furnished me meat. Why. only y
terday morning two deer stood
over there eating the corn. but
paused for an instant. then call
''Chonita, mia. come here"
A girl clad in a simple garment
rough material passed from the Ja'
girl whose supple, rounded form
sessed perfect grace. and as she ca
forward Rawlston started as he ga
on her Latin-lndian beauty.
MY daughter. Chonita. senor.
Juan. The girl raised her dark
to meet his, and her clear, olive-bre
skin became suddenly tinged with
southern blood. ''She can shoot" {
tinued Juan, IS he handed her
rife; Isl, senior. even better"
A flock Of chatterinR parrots pass
overhead caught his eye. Glancinl
them. then ut Rawlston: 'One 81
senior. permit her"
Rawlston nodded. then watched
girl as she raised the gun. say
See. the one in the lead"-a rep
and the bird fell, q mangled mas
flesh and feathers.
She handed the rifle TO Rawls
her lips parted. and her bosom slig
heaviug with the momentary exc
ment Again their eyes met. then
turned and hurried back to the j.
His gaze followed her. and half
consciously he was dreamingly
pairing her with another. . blue-e
fair.haired woman Of the north, v