The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-28
WsrnIne Star and Catholic Messenger.
raw oRLEANs SUNDAY. FEBRUARY es 1873

One of those present took the speaker by the
arm, and said to him, rs he drew him aside
"Hush, man don't You see that he is drunk
Who gave you q candle for this funeral "ha'
ia is 70 you if Perco, who is the one Interested
consents ~
"Who dares to say that Perico Alvareda
consents to an indignityf' said the latter
presenting himself in the middle OF the roou'
as pale rs if risen from bier.
- At the sound of her husbands voice, Rita
aid like q serpent among the bystanders and
disappeared.
"He comes in good time to look after his
wife, said some hair Drained youths, who
formed a sort of retnue to the brilliant dancer
and valiant young soldier, bursting into
laugh.
"Sirs," said Perico, crossing his arms upon
his breast with look of suppressed rage,
shave monkey show in my faceT
"That OF something else which provokes
laughter" answered Ventura, at which all
laughed.
"Is is lucky for you," retorted Perico, in a
ohoked voice. "that am not armed"
"Shut your mouth ~ exclaimed Ventura,
with rude laugh. allow bold the pet lamb is
getting Leave off brav ado, pious youth; don't
DC pCkiuR luaiiciss oap ~ Ao"iS "A~ "'f
your children's noses"
At these words Perico precpitated himself
uppn Ventura. The latter recoiIed before the
sudden shock, but Immediately recovered him
self, and with the strength aud agility which
where natural to him, seized Perico by the
middle, threw him to the ground, and put his
knee upon his breast.
Fortunately Perico did not carry knife,
and Ventura did not draw his but instead the
latter clenched both hands upon Perico's
throat, repeating furously:
"You! You that can tear to pieces with
three fingers do you lay your hands upom me {!
You! a killer of locusts, i coward, q chicken,
brought up under your mothers wing. You to
me! to me!'
At this instant Pedro entered.
"Venturaw he shouted, Ventura 7 What
are You doing what are you doing, mailman 7"
At the sight of his father, Ventura loosed his
grasp upon Perco and stood up.
"You are drunk" continued Pedro, beside
himself with indignation and grief. "You
are drunk, and with evil wine. Go home," he
added, pushing Ventura by the shoulder, " go
home, and go on before me-"
Ventura obeyed without answering, for with
Pedro's words, it was not alone the voice of his
father that reached his ears it was the voice OF
reason, of conscience, of his own heart. His
noble instincts were awakened, and he blushed
for the affair which had just taken place, and
for the cause which had occasioned it. There.
fore he lowered his head as in the presence OF
all he respected, and went out, followed by his
father
In the mean while they had raised Perico
who was gradually recovering from the verti
go caused by the press nre of Verturas fingers
He passed his hand across his forehead, cast
npon those who surrounded him the glance OF
n wounded and manacled lion, and left the
room, saying in a hollow voice,
'He has destroyed us both"
AS Ventura had gone, accompanied by HE
father those present allowed Perco to leave
without opposition.
"Ths is not the end" said one shaking hi,
head.
"Tbat is clear, said another. First deceiv
ed and afterward beaten, who is the saint that
could bear iti'
Perico went homo muttering in dsjointed
and broken characterization - Coward %
Something in my face which provokes laugh
ter " and he tells me 30, he " "Pet lamb y
mo one cast doubt upon my honor until You
Oh we shall see !" He entered his room and
seized his gun
Father" called the little voice of Angels
from the next apartment, 1" father, we ar,
alone"
"You will be yet more alone" murmuret
Perico, without answering her.
The chidren's voices kept on calling Faith
er, father =
you have no father 7" shouted Perico, an,
went out into the court. He placed his gui
against the trunk of tho orange-trce in orde
to take out ammunition to load it, bat, as i
the ancient protector of the family repulsc,
the weapon, it slid and fell to the ground. Tn
leaves of the tree murmured mournfully
Were they moved by some dismal PRESENT.
mentf
Perico was leaving the court when he foun,
himself face to face with his mother, who
made watchful by her nquietude, had hear
her son enter.
"Where are you going, Perico ~ she asked
S'To the field. have told you already thu