The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-31
Frightened by toad! Blood OF the Martyrs
'Tis like any foolish grill"

Father Pedro stopped and coughed.
e am saying that no Christian child should
shrink from any OF Gods harmless creatures.
And only last week thou vast disdainful OF
poor Murieta's pig. forgetting that San Antonio
did himself elect one his faithful companion.
even in glory"
Yes. but 1t was so fat and 80 uncleanly.
holy father" replied the young acolyte. and
1t smelt 3d."
"Smelt so?" echoed the father doubtfully.
Have care. child. that this Is not luxurious
ness OF the senses. have noticed Of late you
gather over much Of roses and syringa-excel-
lent in their way and in moderation. but still
not to be compared with the flower Of Holy
Church-the lily"
But lilies don't look we'll on the refectory
table. and against the adobe WALL" returned the
acolyte with a pout OF a spoilt child; and
surely the flowers cannot help being sweet.
any more than myrrh or incense. And I am
not frightened at the heather Americanos
either no,o There was small one In the gar
den yesterdays boy like me-and he spoke
kindly and with pleasant face
What said he to thee. child ?" asked Father
Pedro anxiously.
Nay the matter Of his speech could not
understand" laughed the bov; but the man
ner was as gentle as thine. holy father
"'st. child" said the Padre impatiently.
Thy likings are as unreasonable as thy fears.
Besides. have I not told thee II Ill becomes n
child Of Christ to chatter with those sons OF
Belial2 But cans. thou not repeat the words
the nords he saidp" he continued sus-
piciously.
IT'S harsh tongue the Americanos speak
Ia their throat" replied the boy. But he said
'Devilishnisse' and ;pretty-as-n-girl.' and
looked at me-"
Tho good father made the boy repeat the
words gravely. and as gravely repeated them
after him with Infinite simplicity. They are
but heretical words" he replied in answer to
the boys inIuirinG look; 1t it we'll you under
stand not English. Enough. Run away child
and he ready for the Angelus. will commune
with myself awhile under the pear trees.'
Glad to escape so easily the young Acolyte
disappeared down the alley OF FIX trees. not
without furtive look at the patches OF chick
weed around their roots. the possible ambus-
cade Of creeping or saltant vermin. The good
priest heaved sigh and glanced around tho
darkening prospect. The sun had already dis
appeared over the mountain wall that lay be-
tween him and the sea. trimmed with faint
white line OF outlying fog. A cool zephyr
famed his cheek; it was the dying breath OF
the cie,ltos generates beyond the wall. As Father
Pedros eyes were raised to this barrier which
seemed 10 shut out the boisterous world be-
You'd, he fancied he noticed for the first time q
slight breach in the parapet. over which an ad-
vanced banner OF the fog WAS hutterinG. Was
1t an omen? His speculations were cut short
by u voice at his very side.
He turned quickly and beheld one OF those
heathens" whom he had just warned his
young acolyte against; one of that struggling
band OF adventurers whom the recent gold dis
coveries had scattered along the coust. Luck
lily the fertile aluvium of these valleys. lying
parallel with the sea. offered no indlcati tons"
to attract the gold seekers. Nevertheless to
Father Pedro even the infreauent contact with
the .inericdHos was Objectionable. They ware
at once inQusitive and careless. They asked
questions with the sharp perspicacty OF con-
troversy. They received his grave replies with
the frank Indifference OF utter worldlness.
Powerful enough to have been tyrannical OPP
pressors. they were singulary tolerant and
gentle. contenting themselves with u playful.
good natured irreverence, which tormented
the good father more than opposition They
were f,lt 10 be dangerous and subversive.
The americana, however. who stood before
him did not Extensively suggest these national
qualities. A man OF middle height. strongly
built. bronzed and slightly gray from the vicis-
STUDIES OF years and exposure, he had an air OF
practical seriousness that commended itself to
Father Pedro. To his religious mind it sug-
gested self-consclousness; expressed In the
dialect OF the stranger 1t only meant bust
ness"
80 I'm rather glad found you out here alone. y
began the latter; it saves time. haven't got
to take my turn with the rest. in there"-he in
dicated the church with his thumb-"and you
haven't got to make an appointment. You
have got clear forty minutes before the An
geus rings" he added, consulting u large sill
YER chronometer. and l reckon kin git
through my part Of the job inside Of twenty.
leaving you ten minutes for remarks. want
to confess"
Father Pedro drew back with a gesture OF
dignity The stranger. however. laid his hand
upon the PADRES sleeve with the air Of man
anticipating objection. but never refused. and
went on:
OF course. know. You want me to come at
some other time. and in there. You want 1t in
the regular style That's your way and your
time. My answer is: 1t amt my way and nly
time. The main idea OF confession, l take it.
is gettin' ut the facts. I'm ready to give 'em II
you'll take 'em out here. now. II you're willing
to drop the Church and confessional, and all
that sort o thing. l. on my side. am willing to
give up the absolution, and all that sort O.
| thing You might" he added. with an uncon-
scious touch OF pathos in the suggestion.
''heave in word or two of advice after get
through LOT Instance. WHAT you 90 IN tne CIR
cumstances. you see! That's all. But that's
as you please. 1t amt part OF the business"
Irreverent rs this speech appeared. there
was really no trace OF such intention in his
manner, and his evident profound conviction
that his suggestion was practical and not at
all inconsistent with ecclesiastical dignity.
would alone have been enough TO touch the
Padre. had not the strangers dominant per-
sonality already overrdden him. He hesitated.
The stranger seized the opportunity to take
his arm. and lead him with the half familiarity
Of powerful protection TO a bench beneath the
refectory windows. Taking ont his watch
again. he put it in the passive hands of the as
tonished priest. saying. Time me-" cleared
his throat. and began:
Fourteen years ago there was a ship cruis-
in in the Pacific. jest of this range, that was
az nigh on to "A He'll afloat MS anything rugged
kin be. II chap managed to dodge the
Cap'en's Delaying pin for II time he was bound
to he fetched up in the ribs at last by the
mates boots. There was chap knocked down
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