Post by Gordon Lee on Dec 30, 2013 22:41:39 GMT -5
Greetings Fellow SB Boarders
.
Today (30 December) just happens to be the anniversary of the issuance of the stamp that commemorates the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. (Okay, it's not as grand and as well known as the Louisiana Purchase, but to me it hits home.) I figure, what the heck. This stamp, a story about a ghost or two, and one of my favorite restaurants in one of my favorite little towns combine together quite nicely.
.
.
UNITED STATED -- SCOTT 1028
.
Anyway, the little town where this story takes place is Mesilla (also known as La Mesilla and Old Mesilla), New Mexico. I hope you enjoy it.
.
DOUBLE EAGLE YOUNG LOVER GHOSTS or Here's One Straight Through the Heart, You Strumpet!
Do you remember your first true love, so sweet, so pure, and so young and innocent? Chances are, especially if you are now an adult, that first encounter with puppy love has long since become a faded memory. You may sit and wonder, just what exactly happened? You knew (you both knew) that your love for each other just had to be eternal. Nothing, nothing at all, could possibly separate you and your true love -- unless it was being grounded, or no transportation, or a bad outbreak of zits, or one moved far away across the country, or a myriad of other possibilities encountered by hormonal-ravaged teenagers. Eventually, life goes on and you discover that there really are other fish in the sea and find another. Here, friends, I'm about to tell you a true story of a true undying first love that has lasted forever. At least it's still going on today.
.
This little never-ending love story starts off with a travel back into time and to a remote little corner of the world. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, ended a brutal war between the United States and Mexico. It confirmed the United States claims to what is now Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and as well as parts of New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The main southern boundary was set at the nomadic (wondering) Rio Grande River.
.
A thriving trading center in this newly acquired territory, Santa Fe, now came under the rule, to the chagrin of many Mexican patriots unwilling to give up their Mexican citizenship, of the United States. One of the leading and richest import-export business men in Santa Fe was Senor Maes. He did not object to fairly earning his money by trading with the uncouth and barbaric Norte Americanos, but drew the line if he had to live with and be governed by these heathens. He upped and moved, lock, stock and barrel, his large family, home and business just far enough south on the El Camino Real to still be considered Mexico, but close enough to maintain active trading with the crude intruders. He moved to a small, sleepy little burg of Mesilla.
.
The highway (El Camino Real) from Mexico City to Santa Fe is long, desolate and treacherous with few safe havens in between. One of these little rest stops was Mesilla (little mesa, or small flat-top hill). The slow flowing Rio Grande provided meager water to this tiny isolated farming center. At this stage of the game, Mesilla was located on the western banks of the river, thusly claimed as part of Mexico.
.
It is here in Mesilla that Senor Maes relocated his business and constructed one of the grandest and splendorous homes (casa) in the Rio Grande Valley. No expense was spared. The tiny town began to flourish. Besides providing jobs in his import-export commerce to the unemployed local citizens of Mesilla and the surrounding area, the large Maes casa required many servants.
.
As the case in many aristocratic households, the supervision of servants fell upon the lady of the manor. No different here. And, Senora Maes was about as aristocratic as they come.
.
Senora Momma Maes ruled the roost. Loud and outspoken, she was persnickety in every detail. She demanded perfection in her household and absolute loyalty from her serving staff. She expected the same from her children, the oldest being one half of the subject of this sad, romantic tale, Armando.
.
Armando was a hansome teenage lad (naturally) and the apple of his mother's eye. Senora Maes saw to it that Armando received the finest education that a tutor from Mexico City could provide. He was well versed in all the elite proper manners and customs. He was reminded constantly of his duty towards his family by his overbearing and class conscious mother. In other words, Momma had great expectations that her son, with the right marriage, would elevate further the family's prestige, power and social connections.
.
Meanwhile, from the dusty streets of Mesilla, we find a most lovely young maiden (naturally), named Inez. Her lot in life was the exact opposite of Armando's. She helps her aged widowed mother just barely ekeing out a living as a seamstress. Inez was a mild mannered, thoughtful, and industrious girl. Her sewing skills were superb and highly sought after. She respected all her elders, obeyed all the rules, behaved kind and helpful towards everyone she met, and liked puppy dogs. Everyone in Mesilla loved Inez. She thanked her lucky stars when she became employed as a servant girl and seamstress at you know where.
.
Now, does everyone see where this story is headed? Right, Miss Inez is the second half of the subject of this sad, romantic tale.
.
It didn't take long for our boy Armando to take a shining to dark-eyed, raven haired (down below her waist), creamy-skinned beauty, the servant girl Senorita Inez ... and she to him.
.
Poor young Armando and Inez tried to hide their affection to each other from his social-minded mother. The chance meetings, the shy touches, and the cross-eyed looks by the star-crossed young lovers were soon recognized by the other servants in the house for what it was, true love. Soon, the entire village knew about the secret lovers and approved "one of their own" hitting it off with the local nobility.
.
Eventually the eagle-eyes of Senora Maes spotted what was happening beneath her hawk-like nose. How dare this conniving peasant wench come into her nest to sink her wicked claws into her beloved son and ruin the fine social standing of her family? She flew into a rage, firing Inez and forbid her to ever to return to her abode.
.
Further, the best defense, Senora Maes decided, was a good offense. She called her family together, including lovesick Armando, and told them that she was off to Mexico City. She didn't know how long it would take, but she would not leave Mexico City until she completed an arrangement for marriage fitting the proper station in life for young Armando. Until then, Armando, she ordered, was to stay clear of that tramp, Inez.
.
Here's a surprise I bet you don't expect (yah, sure). The love-struck, hormone-ravaged, teenage son, Armando, obeyed his mother while she was gone. Not.
.
All the villagers knew what was going on. They could plainly see young handsome Armando and cute little Inez sneaking about here and there -- holding hands here, sweet little hugs there. What they didn't know was just how long these two young lovers where going to be able to carry on while La Senora was away.
.
Momma was on a mission. She expected a long and drawn out ordeal and planned to be away from Mesilla for months. But scanning the list of available maidens from the high society pages in Mexico City she soon hit upon a viable candidate that would suit her purpose. A highly placed Government official with an ungainly looking daughter promised not necessarily good looking grandchildren, but high recognition in social standing. A meeting with the girl's parents, negotiations agreed upon, and a fond adios quickly set Senora Maes back to Mesilla in high spirits.
.
She could hardly contain her excitement about her successful search when she returned home. Stepping from her carriage she hurriedly rushed through her front door. Looking around she felt the atmosphere change. Where are the servants? Where is her son Armando? Something is wrong.
.
Rushing over to Armando's corner bedroom she suddenly stopped before opening the door. A sewing basket sits just outside the door. Voices came from inside. She heard Armando's voice. The other voice … surely it can't be? It belongs to that evil vixen Inez. Throwing the door open her eyes confirmed her suspicion. Therein, entwined in a loving embraced, she saw her precious darling Armando and that jezebel harlot Inez.
.
Furiously Senora Maes turns and leaves the bedroom. In a blinded flurry she trips over Inez's sewing basket. Not only is this slut trying to steal her son, she is also trying to kill her. As she pushes herself from the floor her hand rests upon Inez's sewing shears. She picks them up and with pure hatred twirls back into the bedroom.
.
"No Momma, no" yells Armando! His scream is too late.
.
The blade of the shears tears into the heart of Inez. The hate consumed mother yanks the deadly weapon away and raises it upward for another strike. (*insert soundtrack from the movie "Psycho" here*) Armando, in a gallant but fruitless effort, throws his body between his mother and his true love. The ill-aimed shears come down full force and embed deep into Armando's neck.
.
"My son, my son, what have I done!" Senora Maes yells as realization grabs her.
.
Armando ignores his mother. He holds his dear Inez in his arms and kisses her soft cheek as her last breath escapes from her dead body. Three days later Armando Maes dies from his terrible wound and becomes the second ghost in this sad story. The devastated Senora Maes, it is reported, never speaks another word for the rest of her life.
.
Okay, I know, I know. You all went through a whole lot of reading about historical stuff and I am only just now at the part where the ghosts are created. Some of you are not use to so much reading. I understand. But the scary parts, you ask? How about tomorrow?
.
Respectfully,
Gordon Lee
Great Fritain Royal Memorabilia & Double Your Pleasure Emporium
Shaken, not stirred. And with one of those little umbrellas.
.
Today (30 December) just happens to be the anniversary of the issuance of the stamp that commemorates the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. (Okay, it's not as grand and as well known as the Louisiana Purchase, but to me it hits home.) I figure, what the heck. This stamp, a story about a ghost or two, and one of my favorite restaurants in one of my favorite little towns combine together quite nicely.
.
.
UNITED STATED -- SCOTT 1028
.
Anyway, the little town where this story takes place is Mesilla (also known as La Mesilla and Old Mesilla), New Mexico. I hope you enjoy it.
.
DOUBLE EAGLE YOUNG LOVER GHOSTS or Here's One Straight Through the Heart, You Strumpet!
Do you remember your first true love, so sweet, so pure, and so young and innocent? Chances are, especially if you are now an adult, that first encounter with puppy love has long since become a faded memory. You may sit and wonder, just what exactly happened? You knew (you both knew) that your love for each other just had to be eternal. Nothing, nothing at all, could possibly separate you and your true love -- unless it was being grounded, or no transportation, or a bad outbreak of zits, or one moved far away across the country, or a myriad of other possibilities encountered by hormonal-ravaged teenagers. Eventually, life goes on and you discover that there really are other fish in the sea and find another. Here, friends, I'm about to tell you a true story of a true undying first love that has lasted forever. At least it's still going on today.
.
This little never-ending love story starts off with a travel back into time and to a remote little corner of the world. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, ended a brutal war between the United States and Mexico. It confirmed the United States claims to what is now Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and as well as parts of New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The main southern boundary was set at the nomadic (wondering) Rio Grande River.
.
A thriving trading center in this newly acquired territory, Santa Fe, now came under the rule, to the chagrin of many Mexican patriots unwilling to give up their Mexican citizenship, of the United States. One of the leading and richest import-export business men in Santa Fe was Senor Maes. He did not object to fairly earning his money by trading with the uncouth and barbaric Norte Americanos, but drew the line if he had to live with and be governed by these heathens. He upped and moved, lock, stock and barrel, his large family, home and business just far enough south on the El Camino Real to still be considered Mexico, but close enough to maintain active trading with the crude intruders. He moved to a small, sleepy little burg of Mesilla.
.
The highway (El Camino Real) from Mexico City to Santa Fe is long, desolate and treacherous with few safe havens in between. One of these little rest stops was Mesilla (little mesa, or small flat-top hill). The slow flowing Rio Grande provided meager water to this tiny isolated farming center. At this stage of the game, Mesilla was located on the western banks of the river, thusly claimed as part of Mexico.
.
It is here in Mesilla that Senor Maes relocated his business and constructed one of the grandest and splendorous homes (casa) in the Rio Grande Valley. No expense was spared. The tiny town began to flourish. Besides providing jobs in his import-export commerce to the unemployed local citizens of Mesilla and the surrounding area, the large Maes casa required many servants.
.
As the case in many aristocratic households, the supervision of servants fell upon the lady of the manor. No different here. And, Senora Maes was about as aristocratic as they come.
.
Senora Momma Maes ruled the roost. Loud and outspoken, she was persnickety in every detail. She demanded perfection in her household and absolute loyalty from her serving staff. She expected the same from her children, the oldest being one half of the subject of this sad, romantic tale, Armando.
.
Armando was a hansome teenage lad (naturally) and the apple of his mother's eye. Senora Maes saw to it that Armando received the finest education that a tutor from Mexico City could provide. He was well versed in all the elite proper manners and customs. He was reminded constantly of his duty towards his family by his overbearing and class conscious mother. In other words, Momma had great expectations that her son, with the right marriage, would elevate further the family's prestige, power and social connections.
.
Meanwhile, from the dusty streets of Mesilla, we find a most lovely young maiden (naturally), named Inez. Her lot in life was the exact opposite of Armando's. She helps her aged widowed mother just barely ekeing out a living as a seamstress. Inez was a mild mannered, thoughtful, and industrious girl. Her sewing skills were superb and highly sought after. She respected all her elders, obeyed all the rules, behaved kind and helpful towards everyone she met, and liked puppy dogs. Everyone in Mesilla loved Inez. She thanked her lucky stars when she became employed as a servant girl and seamstress at you know where.
.
Now, does everyone see where this story is headed? Right, Miss Inez is the second half of the subject of this sad, romantic tale.
.
It didn't take long for our boy Armando to take a shining to dark-eyed, raven haired (down below her waist), creamy-skinned beauty, the servant girl Senorita Inez ... and she to him.
.
Poor young Armando and Inez tried to hide their affection to each other from his social-minded mother. The chance meetings, the shy touches, and the cross-eyed looks by the star-crossed young lovers were soon recognized by the other servants in the house for what it was, true love. Soon, the entire village knew about the secret lovers and approved "one of their own" hitting it off with the local nobility.
.
Eventually the eagle-eyes of Senora Maes spotted what was happening beneath her hawk-like nose. How dare this conniving peasant wench come into her nest to sink her wicked claws into her beloved son and ruin the fine social standing of her family? She flew into a rage, firing Inez and forbid her to ever to return to her abode.
.
Further, the best defense, Senora Maes decided, was a good offense. She called her family together, including lovesick Armando, and told them that she was off to Mexico City. She didn't know how long it would take, but she would not leave Mexico City until she completed an arrangement for marriage fitting the proper station in life for young Armando. Until then, Armando, she ordered, was to stay clear of that tramp, Inez.
.
Here's a surprise I bet you don't expect (yah, sure). The love-struck, hormone-ravaged, teenage son, Armando, obeyed his mother while she was gone. Not.
.
All the villagers knew what was going on. They could plainly see young handsome Armando and cute little Inez sneaking about here and there -- holding hands here, sweet little hugs there. What they didn't know was just how long these two young lovers where going to be able to carry on while La Senora was away.
.
Momma was on a mission. She expected a long and drawn out ordeal and planned to be away from Mesilla for months. But scanning the list of available maidens from the high society pages in Mexico City she soon hit upon a viable candidate that would suit her purpose. A highly placed Government official with an ungainly looking daughter promised not necessarily good looking grandchildren, but high recognition in social standing. A meeting with the girl's parents, negotiations agreed upon, and a fond adios quickly set Senora Maes back to Mesilla in high spirits.
.
She could hardly contain her excitement about her successful search when she returned home. Stepping from her carriage she hurriedly rushed through her front door. Looking around she felt the atmosphere change. Where are the servants? Where is her son Armando? Something is wrong.
.
Rushing over to Armando's corner bedroom she suddenly stopped before opening the door. A sewing basket sits just outside the door. Voices came from inside. She heard Armando's voice. The other voice … surely it can't be? It belongs to that evil vixen Inez. Throwing the door open her eyes confirmed her suspicion. Therein, entwined in a loving embraced, she saw her precious darling Armando and that jezebel harlot Inez.
.
Furiously Senora Maes turns and leaves the bedroom. In a blinded flurry she trips over Inez's sewing basket. Not only is this slut trying to steal her son, she is also trying to kill her. As she pushes herself from the floor her hand rests upon Inez's sewing shears. She picks them up and with pure hatred twirls back into the bedroom.
.
"No Momma, no" yells Armando! His scream is too late.
.
The blade of the shears tears into the heart of Inez. The hate consumed mother yanks the deadly weapon away and raises it upward for another strike. (*insert soundtrack from the movie "Psycho" here*) Armando, in a gallant but fruitless effort, throws his body between his mother and his true love. The ill-aimed shears come down full force and embed deep into Armando's neck.
.
"My son, my son, what have I done!" Senora Maes yells as realization grabs her.
.
Armando ignores his mother. He holds his dear Inez in his arms and kisses her soft cheek as her last breath escapes from her dead body. Three days later Armando Maes dies from his terrible wound and becomes the second ghost in this sad story. The devastated Senora Maes, it is reported, never speaks another word for the rest of her life.
.
Okay, I know, I know. You all went through a whole lot of reading about historical stuff and I am only just now at the part where the ghosts are created. Some of you are not use to so much reading. I understand. But the scary parts, you ask? How about tomorrow?
.
Respectfully,
Gordon Lee
Great Fritain Royal Memorabilia & Double Your Pleasure Emporium
Shaken, not stirred. And with one of those little umbrellas.
) 
