Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-04-21

soled sandals on their horny feet-very tenn
perate, not over-industrious, but patient
and willing to work for very moderate
wages. The times were hard ; recent po-
litical troubles and a bad harvest had
brought many to the verge of want and
men came in great numbers to be "apun.
tado "-"put down." or noted for employ
ment by us. | was perplexed at times to
choose, but relied chiefly on my own iudg-
ment of physiognomy and physique, pro-
vided all could produce, as proof of respect
ability, their cedulas de vecinidad," or
passports, signed by their local authorities.
We were seated in the patio smoking one
evening, when waiter came to say a man
had called to be "put down." 1t was after
business hours, but he was shown in. He
was tall, well grown man, in the prime of
life, dressed in the country fashion, holding
himself very straight, and with voice and
manner seemingly above his station. He
made his request for employment in an in
dependent straightforward way, which
pleased me.
4" What do you think of him." l said in
English to Clayton.
" Pardon me" said the applicant, also in
English, correct, but not fluent, ! under
stand your language"
liked him for his honesty.
" You have papers; your cedula and all
thatW
"No, have none. l stand simply on
my merits, such as they are. am accus-
toned to animals, strong, willing to work,
honest
"That you had better leave us to sav."
put in Clayton. We were still speaking in
English.
"Do you doubt it, sir?" said the stranger,
raising his voice, as if disposed to call the
questioner to serious account.
Then, although the light was not good, l
recognized him. 1t was the stranger had
seen at the station at Almanac.
You are engaged" l said at once.
Come tomorrow to the bull ring, our
headquarters, for orders"
He made a courteous bow, and, without
speaking again, left u.s.
"Well, of all the idiotic proceedings"
cried Clayton at once" to engage man
who has no papers; man who speaks
English y
"That ought to be in his favor"
"My experience is that the linguists of
an out-of-the-way foreign town are all
rogues. How comes he to know English? 1t
looks fshy"
" Your absurd mistrustfuIness, Clayton,
is the worst traiti your character. You will
never be great man."
rubbish! That is beside the question.
| protest against unemployment of this fel-
low"
And insist upon it. l was much taken
with his looks. Don't you agree with me,
HinksW
The "vet" never ventured an opinion
spontaneously; even when directly asked,
he hesitated, Now, he felt the sinews of
one arm slowly up and down, favorite
habit of his when in doubt, as if he we're
trying the tendons of suspicious horse,
and after time only said:
i wonder what he knows about animals?
He may be of use."
And he was, undoubtedly. Before he had
been in our employment for twenty-four
hours, Enrique, as he was called, became
our right-hand man. We were now in the
full swing of purchase; daily we sat in
state at long table in the arena of the bull
ring, and gave audience to high and low
! The dealers hocked in-some with droyes
Of mules; others with team or a pair.
! Now and again. a laboring man with tears
in his eyes, brought his one precious beast
his bread winner and familiar friend-and
| sold him to us, or tried to sell him, for
double what he was worth. Enrique was
invaluable; he was profoundly knowing in
animals, and up to all the tricks of the
trade. To save trouble, although spoke g
certain amount of Spanish, we installed
him as Interpreter and go between; and as
such he gave such sound advice, and seemed
SO trustworthy, that even suspicious Clay,
ton began to appreciate him. Enrique
possessed, also, the rare gift of organization
to degree seemingly strange, unless i
were the result Of long practice added tc
natural powers. Seeing this, and that the
rest OF the muleteers readily admitted hii
superiority, | gave him carte blanche
Within a week our men and animals wer,
brigaded; responsible headswere appointed
our stables were as well disciplined anC
orderly as those of regiment of horse.
He went on with his duties steadily ant
quietly, and he made no friends among tn
muleteers; he seemed to talk to no one bu
myself, and even with me, although / treat
ed him, as felt he was, quite as my equal
he was singularly reserved
Every night at varying hours / visite,
the ring, and found Enrique prompt alway
to answer my call.
Once, rather late, he was accompanyin
me on my rounds, when tremendou
knocking at the outer gate made us bot
start.
Go and see, Enrique, what that means ?
Excuse me, Senor Captain. l will sen
Alejandro;" and with n strange alacrit
Enrique left me-
myself reached the gate in time to hea
, the following short colloquy:
Who goes there ?" from within.
"La authoridad Cthe authority. Opel
, in the name of the queel"
Isabella was on the throne; Narvaez {
her right hand. The political air W;
heavy with electricity, and all Spain W;
under martial law.
: 81 am the master here" said I, at ont
putting myself forward. "What is IL
meaning Of this intrusion"
} The visitors consisted of posse of civ
{ guards, and at their head was a sma
, dried up atom Of man, who seemed a
} gray mustaches and gold headed cane
"I am the chief of police of this city.
require to see all your muleteers. / am i
formed you harbor here dangerous reb
: chief"
, l resented these peremptory tones, b
even before | could protest, the muleteel
e with the instinct of obedience to despot
1 rule, had ranged themselvesin row.
e "They are all hereW said Don Girl
a turning to me, as soon as he had inspect
r each in turn by the light of lantei
n d" All your muleteers are hero %
d "All my muleteers are here" repeate
Enrique was absent; but he was now o
|. overseer, not muleteer. permitted m
n self this slight evasion, for felt certain I
/ rique wished to remain concealed.
t, "It is very strange"
n And then the intruders made thorou