The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1895-02-08

How much feel debtorl
| And oh. how hopeless Saturday.
And wearlsoine were Monday,
Without tho quiet rest between
OF my old-fashloned Sunday
Marian Douglas. in N. Y. Independent.
lA55oIhe
- Two -.
(oNpoRs'
"A 81 rCFHoLOfk
ss1IktzFHssE9 J N leans, in holt
%aM III III fi5 day attire, ,
..AW. T%lET u were. walking
Wesassy.tgsAv their horses
ESEs2lsss:sst through a
great grove of
live-oalSs in the San Gabriel valley.
California, They came from large
ranch down the country, and were 60
ing to Los Angeles for the annual
fiesta. Their saddles were of leather,
richly chased, after the Spanish fash.
ion. The pommel of one was of silver,
the rim of the saddle of the same, and
even the bride was of silver, the bit
being Handsomely inlnid.
The riders wore big, broad-brimmed
hats, or sombreros, with silver bands,
richly colored trousers and botas,
while each carried u gay blanket, or
serape, which had hole for the neck,
to be used II occasion required. This,
with long horsebair reata, or lariat,
tied near the pommel, made up as
picturesque costume as one could
imagine.
The country was succession of
parks, with clumps of fine old oaks,
whose long branches and limbs offered
grateful shade. Occasionally there
were patches uf bush and chaparral,
giving way again to the open spots
where the yellow fox-tail grass
cleaned like gold, or the wild oat
rippled in the summer sun. Through
such scenes of pastoral beauty the
light-hearted horsemen were riding,
passing the time with jokes and ban
ter, when suddenly Jose Salvadea,
who was ahead, stopped so abruptly
that his horse fell back on his
launches, and motioned to the others
for quiet. All drew rein, and, follow
ing the direction of his pointed finger,
saw singular sight
In a little clearing. where the alfi
laria had been green and rank in win
ter, but was now chocolate.colored
mass upon the ground, under four or
five large trees, were two gigantic
birds, so tall, so black and ugly with
al, that they might have been carl ca.
lures of birds One was tearing Mt a
sheep. while the other, evidently hav.
| ing dined to its content, stood by, its
enormous wings extended, showing a
spread Of nine or ten feet. 1t was one
of the rarest birds OF America-the
great California condor--caught in the
very act of tilching from the owners OF
the sofia bird that has the reputa.
ton OF devnnring sheep day when
opportunity offered
The loss of sheep, or dozen,
amounted 10 little, but it was the sport
of taking the great bird that attracted
the horscmen, and as quietly us posi-.
BILE they united their rentas. released
aud enlarged the coil, and waited for
the word
/ They held the rope in tile right hand,
so that the moose, about four feet in
length, hung free. and ut the word,
given by Juan, they put spurs to their
horses and dashed ut the birds.
The latter were taken completely by
surprise. One clnmsily attempted
flight and rose few feet from the
ground, when reata went whirling
through the air, dropping over its
neck, pull bringing 1t to earth. The
other bird, stupcfed by its stolen
feast, fell an easy victim, two reatas
falling over it, one dropping over Its
head, the other securing its wing. As
the ropes fell the men raised a shout,
The horses, trained in their runs after
stock, braced back, expecting the
hard pull which a bullock gives when
lassoed; but instead came remark.
able series OF struggles. The condor
caught by the head ran short dis.
lance with curious, hopping motion,
then with violent effort beat the
ground and the air with its powerful
wings. raising itself several feet into
I the air. The sight of the enormous
bird, its waving wings, its uncanny
appearance, so demoralized the horsea
that they snortcd, bucked and en-.
deayored to run away. hut they
were quickly subdued and the fyinr
condor was brought down with jerk
and the two birds were surrounded by
the excited riders.
Then followed curious exhibition.
The two birds began an extemporizcd
dance around the circle, hopping like
eagles, first on one foot, then on tho
other, uttering low and vicious hiss.
around they went, pccking at the
ropes, thrusting forward their bare
and ugly heads, and apparently sub.
dued.
But 1t was only for moment 4,
II by concerted plan they hurled them
selves at the horses, one on one side
and one on the other. coming III
against the animals with great force
! striking them with their on.i..,..:,,,