Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-09-28

i were they interested IN Lon Ramon D
account of the adventures of the night
before and the night previous to that.
Il was q strange meeting, here ON the
southwestern plain, Of these representa-
tives Of two conquering civilizations,
the general representing the military
power of the United States the don the
glories Of the Spanish conquistadores
The one had won distinction during the
American civil war and In Indian cam
paigns upon the western frontier; the
other upon his broad estate had conduct.
ed its affairs and defended his household
and property against the Apaches, AZ
his ancestors before him had done since
first they settled in the Santa Crus val
ley two centuries ago under o grant
from the Spanish crown.
More strikingly disimilar even than
these were the types Of femininity pre-
sented by the generals fair young wife
and Don Ramon's daughter The one,
In her fashionable, exquisitely fitting
travelling dress, complete In every ap-
pointment, brought into the rough sur
roundings the cultured ease and charm
Of manner that characterize the highest
society in the great cities. Carmen's
dark beauty was set of to perfection by
the Arrangement Of her hair, hastily
gathered and fastened by a gold arrow
shot through its knot, and by her bright
ly Powered gown, the sole one left her
after the dash Of the Apaches upon her
fathers camp. Her untutored grace and
naive, pretty, half shy manner Of speech
and the pride of race that unconsciously
to herself pervaded every expression and
movement gave her an interest and at
tractiveness that none appreciated and
admired more than the cultivated lady
who sat by her. A bond Of sympathy
and confidence seemed at once estab.
lished between them, and soon, by In
quiries, delicately made, the generals
wife learned the destitute condition Of
Carmen's wardrobe.
After breakfast l saw the generals
wife and her husband conversing with
Don Ramon apart. As result Of the
conversation her trunk was taken down
from the blackboard, opened, and she
took from il handsome cashmere wrap
per and various small articles Of wear
ing apparel and others for toilet use.
The smaller things she rolled up In the
wrapper and carried the bundle herself
TO Carmen's room.
She came back to Don Ramon, still
standing in conversation with her hus.
baud, and he began to thank her warmly
for her kindness to his daughter.
''Not word, not word Of thanks"
she cried impetuously. why, the poor
child! Think what she has been through.
and what she has narrowly escaped!
These trifies I leave with her l shall
not miss. and IL is great pleasure to
me to think they may be Of some use to
her."
While the mules were being harness
ed to the blackboard under the careful
superintendence Of the driver the gen.
eral, cigar in mouth, watched critically
the soldiers composing his escort a. they
equipped themselves to mount and ride.
At the same time he gave to the little
knot Of listeners gathered about him his
views as to the movements Of the hos
tiles and the likelihood that they might
b. intercepted and forced TO battle by
the troops.
"They have left the Gila valley" be
said. land have been massacring and
plundering as far east and north as the
Mogollon mountains and the Black
range The troops concentrating upon
them have headed them of on the east
and south, so that it will be difficult for
the Apaches TO proceed in these difeo-
lions, especially II they ARE loaded down
with plunder Either they must turn
back, or thy must take the risk Of meet
ing the troops in fight. There are 20
many Of them ont that they may ven
ture TO try battle. but / think they
will turn back and run for Mexico, fol-
lowing pretty nearly the route they took
In coming north.
81 predict that important news con.
cerning them will come within "a
hours," he said in conclusion.
Now everything was ready for the
blackboard to start. Before taking her
seat the generals wife kissed Carmen
and wished her and her father safe
and pleasant journey to Silver City and
Santa Fe. The other farewells, warmer
than usually follow so brief meeting,
were said, and then the blackboard roll
ed away down the trail to the west
ward, with the cavalrymen galloping
behind
The blackboard was not the first outfit
30 leave the station that morning. Day
light had found the three outlaws gone,
and-what was as gratifying rs their
absence-there were no reports by any
one at the station Of horses or other
property missing as result OF their
visit The prospectors did not remain
long at the place They had taken break
fast in the early morning, packed their
burros, and Immediately after the ar
rival Of the blackboard had started up
the trail to the eastward.
Now their little procession was mere
speck in the distance. The Missourian,
with more things to look after, was
more leisurcly in making move. Break
fast with his family being over, prepara-
tory to packing up his movables for
start he came up TO the station, bring
ing with him the spare harness which
be had engaged the night before to sell
Don Ramon. The harness was tried
upon the driving mules, and it was
found that, with some slight adjust
ments. Il could be made to fit them sat
isfactorily. The price agreed ON was
paid the Missourian. and few minutes
later the white topped wagon, with the
rocking chair and the led cow behind 1t,
+. and the family mysteriously slowed be.
meath the canvas. was taking its way NJ
the trail
One grewsome ceremony the station
keeper had asked each man to observe
who came up to the station before start
ing away. Il was to look at the dead
: man, lying unmatched and unnoticed o.
the corner Of the corral, to see II he could
identify him by daylight For this pur
: pose Don Ramon, Felix and l approached
the body with the station keeper. Wit
lifted the covering from the face. Nei
ther my comrade nor recognized It q
one we had ever seen before But Dor
Ramon started at sight Of II, and the ex
preston Of his countenance grew stern
and anxious.
"Do you recognize him. Senior Busta