The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-11-10
TExCOCO.
A stery of Mexican Jas,Icc.

the Boulevard Montwarte, went to
Mexico. il was to make his fortune.
1T is neither by luck or the caprices
of fortune that am to get along in
the world" he said to himself "lf
ever l want to be master of pretty
little property at the Batignolles it
will be due entirely to my possessing,
with love Of my art,as skillful pair
of hands as can be found 10 all France
and my curling irons. Come, Narcisse,
pioche." And pioche, or pitch into
things with will, did Narcisse. Ac
cident led him to the good city Of
Guanajuato, in Mexico, because he
had heard that once on a time
French barber had made a fortune
there. Possessed of a slight smatter-
ing of Spanish, acquired during a
years apprenticeship in department.
al town near the pyrences, Narcisse
had very little difficulty in mastering
the language. The coiffeur soon found
a place in the shop of a Germen bar
Der, and as Narcisse was polite, assid-
uous and proficient he made his way
rapidly.
OF all the cities of Mexico, Guiana
juato holds the first rank. 1t has
nothing provincial about it. All day
long in the streets of Guanajuato
there is found an ever shifting crowd.
Miners, clad in their peculiar costume,
jostile Indians laden with country
produce, while arrieros with troops Of
pack mules, charcoal merchants, wa
ter carriers and dulce sellers are con-
stantly mingling in their traffic.
For four long years, Narcisse toiled
and saved his wages. One day his
employer died, and the chop and good
will of the establishment were for sale.
The whole of Narcisse's fortune
amounted to. 500 pesos. The price
asked by the Mexican wife Of his late
master was 1000 pesos. "It was a
good chance and not much out of the
way" thought Narcisse. "Would his
reverence, the Padre Dominique"
who, as the widows man of business,
had the shop for sale, would he take
half cash and the rest at six and
, twelve months, holding the place in
the mean time as security?" "No
decidedly he would not. They all had
the utmost confidence, nay esteem, Sig
:. nor Narcisse, but such things as time
bargains were not to be thought Of in
Mexico. They would, however, give
Signor fortnight to think over it. i
the bargain was not concluded then
why, rather than abate terms a real
they would shut the shop up, ant
Signor Nareisse was at liberty to e
and oper a shop elsewhere"
Narcisse, in melancholy mood, wa
rubbing his brushes together in th
BARRIERS shop when certain Dol
Miguel entered. Don Miguel was on
of the most carefully dressed men il
Gnanajuato. The gentleman tool
his place in one of the two chairs, re
questing that his hair might be re
freshed. Narcisse-who, as becam
his calling, was volubility itself
spoke of the death of the master, tn
price of the shop, what he would lik
to pay for it, and his regret at not be
coming the purchaser.
"Ahp said Don Miguel, "you hav
five hundred pesosf Quite nice Iii
tie sum. Now listen, would 20
double u"
Double it' of course; that is b
- honest means"
Nothing easier. Bet on my blac
game-cock / have wagered no en-
, of ounces on him. He is sure to viii
u Don RamOn's cock will run away bt
fore my Cid"
"Thanks, Signore, for your offer
ID but cock. fighting is not in my lin
See you, AN accidental peck might carr
away the fruits of great deal of Ii
bor," replied Narcisse.
"You have no heart, no courage
b, continued Don Miguel. "Pray, as
e. e. capitalist, do you keep your money I
I'd the bankers? Bankers fail som
es times"
81 mo / do not keep it at any banl
r. er's."
"You do not carry it about you, Z
your" inquired the gentleman. VIII
Narcisse might have answered, as
tapped involuntarily on his breech
pocket, was never heard. because iu
be then slight accident happened. Te
'es coco, as he was called, was an Indi'
water-carrier, who. everyday broug
two large earthenware jars Of wat
ay to the shop, and poured their conteu
into a stone reservoir which stood I
> one side of the room. Either Texc
: co had drank too much pulque or
\ foot slipped, for he upset fully a g
lon of the water on Don Miguel's snC
white pantaloons, so that quite lit
cataract poured down on his VIII
silk stockings, and deluged his ne
!. glazed leather pumps.