The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-30
MISS LOCBlNVRR
Romance Of the Days When Texas
Was a Mexican Province.

dDu A6AlCU was ny cHslHiSu v lNC-
roy, that the stout little brig Assurance
Capt Henry Dunbar, owner and commander,
came along the Texas coast, through the
battling channel between ST. Joseph and
Matagorda Islands across Arkansas Bay
into Copano Bay, and came to anchor just
off the settlement of Copano, the mission
town of Refugio, so miles inland.
The bulk of the Assurances cargo was
salt and sugar for the Refugio mission and
powder for its garrison. These were duly
landed and stored in the warehouse at CO.
pano until such time as the owners might
call for them. This matter being attended
to, the Captain turned his attention TO other
things. On his own account he had brought
along sundry bales of lively-colored cloths,
trinkets, musical instruments etc, to sell
at profit to the supplemented dwellers
about the mission, always eager for such
things
| 1t was against the law of Spain for any
! but a Spanish vessel to sail those waters or
| for any but Spanish subject 10 set foot in
| that country. Little cared the gallant Cap
tain. For such was his pull with the people
and the authorities, military, civil and
priestly, that he cared not at all what were
the laws of his Catholic Majesty the King of
| Spain. So, when the Captain went ashore
with his goods, he then and there became a
merchant, and good. shrewd merchant he
was, too He engaged "caretas," those
clumsy, solid-wheeled, squeaky Mexican OK
carts, piled his merchandise therein, and
also himself-for he was a sailor and no
horseman, hence he had to go by Garcia or
afoot-and set out for Relugio.
An OK team moves very slowly, but withal
it is very safe and sure. 1t was two days
/ lsoF.- al, n, l,.e ha1
the cluster OF dwellings, abodes and jacals
scattered about the high, thick walls of the
mission church. Meanwhile, the news of
the arrival of the Assurance had spread far
and near, even up among the dwellers along
the San Antonio River, and there was quite
crowd of both sexes old and young, rich
and poor married and single, 10 greet the
Captain and trade with him.
fat, middle-aged duenna came TO the
store, good nature and talkatiyeness showing
in every line of her face. A small boy
with her, and just behind her came someone
else. This someone was a maid, so beauti-
ful that all the dusky room seemed aglow
with light at her entrance. The chattering
of the crowd hushed. The Captain heard a
voice or voices murmur, The Command
ants daughterl" and then be looked.
What he saw was not yonng girl, and yet
hardly a woman grown. Upon her we'll
poised head was a crown of darkest hair
gathered up behind in a maze Of graceful
twists and loops. Her broad, low forehead
was as alabaster, the curve of her dark
eyebrows as though delicately penciled with
the sure touch of master artist. From her
clear, steady eyes shone the kindly light Of
a spirit of a queen.
As the Captain looked almost spellbound
upon this miracle, she too. looked at him.
Their eyes met. The thing was done.
Never in all the ages had Cupid done his
careless work so quickly and so well.
AS dream was all that morning to the
Captain. Merrily chatted the fat duenna
looking at this, buying that, and casting
aside as she chose Rare indeed were the
bargains she secured that day. Glad she
was to meet and talk with someone from
the sighed-for world beyond her environ
ment. And what handsome man, too; so
polite, SO respectful, so chivalreug. What a
contrast to the boorish rancheros. the rough
soldiers, the insufeTable Indians, and the
sleepy priests She talked and smiled and
tarrie9, and Of all her words what heard the
gaptain2 That Estella's father was away
somewhere TO the north with nearly all the
garrison-he knew by this that her name
was Estella; had ever language coined SO
sweet name that Estella's mother was
dead; that she, the duenna, was Esiellas
constant companion; wouldn't the Captain
come up in the cool of the evening, spend
half-hour, and partake of light refreshment
upon the Commandant's piazza?
The stay Of the ladies was far too short
for the Captain, though to waiting pur-
chasers il must have been far too long. At
last, just as they were leaving, the Captain
did very nice thing. In truth, it was but a
momentary thought but in its results it
| produced the benefits of an inspiration.
Speaking as though to himself, he wondered
If he could not manage TO find "pelone %
| lgift) for the small boy. The duenna,
smiling, said she was afraid the Captain
might spoil the mucbacha," and the little
fellows eyes glstened. The Captain drew
forth from somewhere a dazzling silken
scarf, crossed with bars of bright red, bound
it round the child's waist, and liltle Pedro
from that time on was his, body and soul.
The Captain made his visit at the very
earliest hour he could do so with propriety.
The duenna was on hand, loquacious as ever ;
Pedro, Father Ignatius from the church,
and Estella. They ate fruit; they slipped a
little wine, and the ladies rolled cigarets
for the Captain. The one made by the
duenna was consumed quickly enough and
thrown away, but when Estela rolled him
one with her fingers he took his time.
When he thought he was unnoticed he folded
his hand tightly upon it, to smother the
light, and hid ii half-smol1ed in his pocket
But quick-eyed Pedro saw and wondered.
lie climbed on the Captains knee and
whispered In his ear
Why do you hide the cigaret, my Cap
tain?"
/ Little friend. do not betray me. keep
it because of the one who made it."
Pedro comprehended. He was quick OF
mind as he was Of sight.
Il will say nothing" he whispered
gravely, and slipped down.
In the evening twilight the Captain tore
himself away and walked to his quarters.
for il was not the thing in that country to
! prolong such visits until the time for light
ing the candles.
When all the stock was sold. when the
dark, old adobe storeroom was empty. save
Of the shadows, and when the Captain was
almost IN despair, there came a stroke OF
luck such as all true lovers deserve For
no such assembly as had gathered there
could disperse without a fiesta or a dance
All day long there was much explosion of
powder and fighting of chickens back of the
church, feats OF borsemanship, feasting and
drinking of sour pulque and fiery mescal.
And at night out in the open air, with the
stars and the half-moon looking down, by the
blaze OF score of torches, on the hard,