Middletown transcript., 1874-12-05
Selett Storp.
Al QUEER IFATlH4ERl lINlfAW.

Mexico, welded almost regal power.
They lived sumptuously, and had abou,
them q miniature court who yielded
them an obedience that at all times
amounted to servility. Happy was be
who tbasked 10, the favor pf one Of these
grandecs. These were the palmy days
of the alcaldes. If they we're friends
Of the Vieeroy, no amount Of fraud,
tyranny on extortipn could effect their
removal. These magistrates. like their
great superiors, we're held in awe. but
sometimes with little respect BY the
population over which they ruled. Yet
the people in those days we're prudent
they did not have the temerity to
grumble, so prevalent in these latter
times; and no one would have thought
il siafs is' u polite proceeding, TO have
made complaint against his alcalde.
Such a proceeding would. no doubt,
have consigned the unhappy person to
ths. .coo6bes Of f+he s6aslle 81 San Juan !;
that is. if the magistrate stood high in
official favor. The alcaldss grew rich
apace, even faster than their masters,
for the field in which they fattened
never had anything left behind after
their cleaning. sn4aaE
6 ID The city Of Jalapa lived and ruled
one Don Sebastian Alvarez. He had
at the time of our story been alcalde for
q number Of years. He Was very rich,
very vain aud very eccentric; if :
Spaniard, can be considered to possess
that popularity. He vas also very
tyrannical, and few there. were who
would have ventured to dispute point
With hims particularly II the matter
Was Of an official nature. Don Sebas-
tian had an only child. q lovely daugh-
ter Of sixteen years. It was matter
Of surprise secfetly expressed. Of
course) how such vicious old tyrant
could be the father Of SO gentle and
lovely . creature as Senorita Rosa.
Eset5body loved 'hsssr.isan hsr. and sshss could
not walk abroad without receiving the
smiles and salutations Of the population
composing the city.
Don Sebastian lived in p beautiful
residence. surrounded with orange and
lime trees, and his house was wonder
Of luxury. ihaii .illf5
In Jalapa also lived poor clerk
named Pablo Montez. He received .
very small salary, but be always ap-
peared contented, and contrived to
make respectable appearance on his
meagre pay He possessed the conf
dence Of his superiors. and was be-
loved BY his equals seemed to be
happy with his sphere. and always
cheerful. apfqlI3 II hae did pot deespias wealth.
he could at least dispense with it.
One day Pablo was sent by his en-
ployer. Don Ramon Hernandez. (who
was a wealthy man. to the Alcalde
Don Seba stian Alvarez As the errand
was not important, the visit was soon
over. and Pablo. having left the alcalde.
,wal proceeding through the, grounds Of
the house, with the intention Of return
ing to his home. when he was suddenly
interrupted BY half-dosen servants.
who seized him and began beating him
with sticks. At first he made very
vigorous defence. but finding be was
powerless against so great odds. he
cried out and told them they we're mis-.
tsxea; he had list bomb is6h the al
calde. and gave them bis name and
residence They. however. never de-
sisted until they had given him sound
beating. when they al scattered aud
ran away.
Furious with rage. he hastened back
to Don Sebastian's' residence, with the
purpose Of complaining to the alcalde
at such treatment on kis premises. He
was met at the threshold by an old SER
vitor. who took the young man BY the