rom Prose Sketches and Poems.

 BY ALBERT PIKE. A MEXICAN TALE.
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 state of affairs in New Mexico. 1t was supposed that an American could be guilty of no crime--no mean ness. Oid he want a store !--rooms ln abundance were offered him gratis. Did he eat and sleep at a spanish house while trayelingl-no pay was reeeved and everywhere the people possessed that character of hospitality which they still preserve, distance from the large towns. In fact, have never at sinale door, requested food and lodging, by the untranslaabe expression, fengo posada (eraly, have a tavern N without beng promptly answered in the affirmative that ls ln the little country settlements. The dm msts gathering hicky around the dark brows of the mountains blending the gloomy pines into one un- dIstIngulshabe mass, the party entered the house where he trader had stopped. Itwas the same house ln which afterwards slept, and which bore them as 1t does now, the reputation of the best house in the vi- lage Passing through the sala, long hail. in which then the family resided, they were ushered into the winter room, now occupied by Cesar and his for tunes'

 country store, including everything saleable from sakettle 10 yard of tape, were nothing to the con tents of the six trunks, with which young Jones was to make his fortune.

 Don Ramon was the first applicant; and the ice once hroken the business went on fuently The nowder the shoes, the handkerchefs were soon purchased with little chafierng but buying the big coat was not to be lightly hurried over. The price, however, being re- duced to twelve dollars the yard, Don Ramon counted them down upon trunk, and made no further purchas- es. The females, however, had, like our own fair, genius for shopping; and making purchase it was absolutely essential to the contents of all the trunks During all this time, the father was standing by the merchant sturdly, however, maintaining his re- solve of making no purchases. Catching an oppor- tunity while Don Ramon left the room, he demanded to some cloth for capote. The merchants show ed him cloak ready made He. bought it. Buy some tobacco compadre! said voice from the sala, "a hundred cigaones, you know, Of the best oas, and of totaeeo.' .'1

 The young man bought his powder his red crape Sha wi to a urdle folac then sken scarf and ribbons and quantity of very small beads.

 Do you a scarf and rbbonsl' said the provo king Don Ramon.

 Rafael blushed, and so did Inacia The trading was over. Let US leave the narrative liitle

 Rafael Mestes was in the judgment of lnacia Mar tln the most pleasing young in the valley of Fl Embudo; or, indeed, between Santa Fe and Taos. He of the middle size rather slightly but still firm y built ard possessed of all the agility of the leo of his mountains.

 His eye, like those of all his people, was keen and back and his face, though by no means singular or striking might be accounted handsome. Mixing in his veins the blood of the Spanard and the Indian he possessed the energy and indomabie ierceness oi both races united 10 the simplicity of character, which as yet had met little to corrupt He had been, from his youth, herdsmen and shepherd and winter and summer he and his herds be found i'll the deep narrow and rich valleys of the mountains.

 He was the best rider, the best thrower of the laSo and the best hunter in the valley He could pick up dollar from the ground with his horse at full sneed He could rope running horse by either foot, or buff talo by his horns, and throw him. And when he shot at one of these animals, his fell out on the other side. Not that he could not gun; but for run ming the buffalo, both Spanards and Indians prefer the bow and arrow, and the lance. His bravery was un- disputed Alone he chased the leon the tiger-cat and the. grisy bear. And no Apache or Cumanche ever kept long the cattle of which they might have robbed him. Neither does this up his good qualities; he was tbe best dancer in the fandango the best fiddler and the best mproviso singer from the valley of Taos to the city of the Holy Faith.

 Inacia was young and pretty. As to accomplish ments, New Mexican girl has none. She could kn glove stocking and cut husks into slips fol smoking, and work various articles in beads.

 In the jarabes, singular dances of the fandango her first partner always Rafael. The first glass o the aguadiente white brandy or of the vino del Pa so, generally touched her lips. His hand always ready at shawlng and unshawling; and various little ornaments always marked his return from journey to Taos In return. the little bundles of ojas which he took into the mountains for smoking, always cut by her hand and his guaie or little gourd always filled by her with the best punche. His stockings were all knit by her; and the little riband, braided oi beads, from which hung the little silver saint, put round his neck by her hand Born and brought up to- gether, the of their affection had known ebb and flow. They not sufficiently refined and sem timenta not to know that they loved each other, and nothing had taught them 10 conceal it. At least, If there anything than simplicity and nature in the matter the old who told me the tale could not describe ii io me; he had ao idea of anything like love in novel;

 It was bright and sunny morning, when, on the se- cond day after his arrival the traders mules were seen vending their way out of the village at their accustom ed pace and crossing the ryer soon buried n the bosom of the mountains the path which leads te Taos. There is no season of the day so exhiratins as sunrise. The heart will feel sleepy at noon, Il seems 10 feel the influence of the yonng day except mule; it always the same, with it's long pacing gait