Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-10
NUMBER so.

"But how is it possible to obtain
many accomplishments here? The con-
vent school must have its limitations
An education there cannot equal that OF
the best schools in the states.
'Tn your native state, for instance,
Mr. Raymer. Nevertheless there arc
many accomplished Mexican families
Besides Dona Teresa is very American
on several accounts. Her father was
educated in New England schools and
her mother in st. Louis convent Aft
er marriage they lived in New York
several years, Senor Valencia being an
agent for Mexican commercial house
Their daughter lived there from the age
Of 8 to Is in intimate association with
American children. Since then the fam.
| lily has lived in Albuquerque.
| Further conversation upon this sub
ject was interrupted by the appearance
| Of Colonel Stockton and several other
officers, and Raymer arose to GO Be-
fore he left, however, Mrs. Stockton in
| formed him that on the following
Wednesday the graduating exercises OF
she sisters seminary would occur, and
if he cared TO attend as her escort she
would see that he obtained admission.
Few things could have pleased the lieu.
tenant better, and it was arranged that
he should accompany Mrs. Stockton to
the school on Wednesday
| Accordingly at 10 o'clock Of the day
appointed the lady and her attendant
were received by n sister usher and con-
| Quoted TO the interior Of the convent
Passing through an archway, they found
themselves in a broad, open court sur
rounded by a piazza, the whole space
being filled with seats.
Opposite the entrance n stage was pre-
pared for the graduating class. At one
side Of the stage Raymer noted brass
bard composed of the brothers and pu.
| pills from "a neighboring monastery.
They were quantity clad in gown and
cassock
| Mrs Stockton and her companion So
lected a central seat, over which she
raised a large parasol 10 shelter them
from the rays of the sun. Raymer real
| lied that he and his friend were for
eigners in the assemblage. and he found
il necessary 20 give the utmost attention
70 the English selections in order TO un-
derstand them.
| Teresa Valencia, emerged from the
chrysalis vestments Of her convent ilfe
appeared first, tho salutatorian OF her
| class. clsd in white relieved by little
| color in ribbons and flowers. The ex-
| citement Of the moment had brought
| delicate blush rose tint 10 her cheeks,
and the slight trcmor 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 a 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 il she was
young American gentleman she would
make il the object Of her life TO win this
treasure, may infer that she had
marked Raymer for the invinciblo hero
of her romance.
After the last blare Of the monastic
band somewhat discordant rendition OF
"Sweet Home" the bishops chair was
moved 10 the center Of the stage by two
young priests and table placed beside
IT. Upon this lay rosaries, crucliixes,
missals and other churchly articles
prizes 10 be awarded those excelllng 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 right and
delivered her prize into his hands As
he took il 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 I'LL my
heart with pride. God bless you"
Thank you, papa You have been
my best teacher, and l owe my success
to you, replied Teresa III the same
language, again receiving the gift and
returning with il 10 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 10 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 a 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 tiannel
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 q race alien to their masters and as
instinctively understanding that the
safest course for dog was to attemps
5 nothing worse than a bark.
The walk was continued to ranch
5 several miles beyond the outskirts OF the
city, where the lieutenant remained the
guest OF the owner until evening, when
3 he started homeward.
5 The return route passed in front OF
] the convent and entered the plaza at the
D northeastern corner. When Raymer ap-
proached tho river, he saw on the oppo-
r site side long mule train entering tho
, city with freight brought across the
0 plains from the far distant Missouri
Whips were popping and drivers shout
/ ing in exhilaration begot Of prospective
o rest from long and wearisome journey
0 and the thought Of dissipation In o