Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-16

| Overhead the sun hangs a blazing Won
der in the skies, ont of which its fiery
breath has scorched all color, save where
low down ON the horizon the thick black
thunder heads presage the coming storm.
| The very air quivers and pulsates with
heat. and the silence which is over and
about the worl is rs oppressive as the
heated atmosphere. The very birds have
sought the refuge of the everglades 10 es-
cape the vertical rays OF the sun.
Out on the gulf, land-locked and placid
there is the same hushcd silence, and from
the surface of the waters the heat is re-
! fiected till steaming mist seems to hang
about its borders. giving it the semblance
of the lakes made by the mirage of .he
desert. Eastward by gradual slope rises
a mountain whose conical peak proclaims
it an extinct volcano. Far up toward the
clouds il rear> its head, verdure-clad to
its very summit. but tingcd by distance
with tints OF roseate purple, seen dimiy
/ through the heated atmosphere. The
quaint old Spanish town on the shore OF
the Gulf is rs quiet rs city of the dead.
Not person moves in its streets. The
sun pours down on its dull red-tiled roofs.
and dazzles the eyes rs it glittcrs on the
blank white walls. The very dogs creep
up under the narrow shade of the walls.
and lie on their sides. with tongues hang
ing thirstily out, too exhausted to seek the
nearby water 10 slake their thirst. Rising
gradually upward toward the purple of
the mountain. the hill slopes are covered
with n gorgeous. cXtravagant wealth Of
tropic verdure. Vast breadths of rich.
darksomc green breaking forth IN crotic
lights and shades of countless hues OF
scarlet and gold. of vine and crceper. in
distinguishablc save for their part in this
heaven-born mosaic of color. Fresh and
rcstful to the eve, even in the face of this
burning sun calm, unstirrcd by even
breath. this vast wealth of foliage rests.
superbly satisfied with the pomp and
splendor of its being.
Midway up this slope, standing idly on
the brink of a Streamlet. leaning his broad
shoulders against IN overhanging vine
clad bank. stands man of 30. 4 native
OF this sunny land. uncovered 10 the air
and blazing suns rays, his feet Just out OF
reach of the stream which ripples down
from the mountain side above to the gulf
miles below. on the bosom Of which, as
he glances at it. he can see the sunlight
sparkling and dancing. half way between
that and the place where he stands he sees
the hot. white. dusty road. deserted now,
but along which in the cool of the early
morning he watched the heavy carts
dragged slowly along by the patient oxen.
and listened to the sound of their rude
creaking wheels and the drivers cries as.
mellowed by the distance. muscally and
drcamilv they came to his ears across the
H.. Ia,
cathedral bells calling to early mass had
died away tar up in the blue distance of
the mountain, but he did not change his
position and still stands with his head
bent on his breast and his arms folded.
A tall, 1.-the form surmounted by =
shapelv head, with clean-cut, camee-like
features, deep sunken black eyes. and .
mouth firm in repose, but around which
often plays a smile OF womanly sweetness.
His dress. a coarse blue linen suit. the
shirt open on the neck, displaying a chest
on which there is not an ounce Of superfIu-
Gus flesh. but with cords kno;tcd across it
in which there lies the fiber of steel.
Around his waist is wrapped with care
less grace a scarlet sash whose ends knot
ted at the hip hang to the knee. Grace
! and pride mingle in his carriage and
ted both the free. light step and sunny ma
ture OF his Indian mother, and the cold
hauteur of his Spanish ancestor. For they
mostly are Of mixed races--these dwell
ers on the sunny Pacific slopes. The
blood of astile has flowed a steady stream
commingling with theirs for centuries.
and now and again some haxep-haired
child of the north-lands. lured by the
wooing Of the eternal summer, has cast
his lot among them and sent down his
F, blue eyes and fair hair as Il legacy al
pride TO some native maiden.
= Antonio raises his head and glance-
quickly around him once, twice. thrice
but il is only the cracking of u twig,
orasped by Il marmosct, rs he swings
= himself from branch to branch and chatter
aporiy a. he discovers their instability
i. .Ah. sir. so thou, too, hast found tha
\ many POUCH breaks on which th0t
4. lean.,. thou little brute" he mutter>
i: What better are we than the monkeys
thcno Not 80 good nor so happy, b,
half, since the monkey forgets, and WI
remember, with a ranking hatred, ou
8, boughs that break. Then, too, he 10 no
F" troubled with thinking that be may him
e sell be 10 blame for the broken branch
'e As he raises his eyes to where the rpar
moset swings. and watches his antics, b,
:, sees across the white. hot road below hin
:, the flying figure Of a horseman. Ths
grey steed and slight, straight figure b.
recognizes, and stiles curse in his throat
=. ..Some devils errand, surely, bring
o Miguel Gonzales out in the midday sun
E. Such a. he prefer a shady garden nool
- by the Banos and hammock this tim
N OF day he mutters. And then, with tn
I. quick mutations Of feeling common to hi
Of race and class, he filings himself, wit tn
grace Of Antinous. at full length on
N bright, many-hued pon,iho, and busie
n himself with wrapping and smokin
y cigarettes.
\. ..Caramba, but must have been think
:, ing hard for me, since l have not move
~ nor smoked since morning" he thinks
and straightway gives himself up
making amends for this forgetfulnes