The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-10
Mexico and considerssQIo real estate in Guate-
nala. including the largest coffee plantation in
he ReDublic.

Mexico and considerable real estate in Guate-
nala, including the largest cofEee plantation in
he Republic
ANECDOTES OF THE DEAD GENERAL.
A correspondent of the New York Sum- writ
ing from Guatemala City on the 18th of March,
said Of Barrios:
While he has been cruel and vindictive. he has
given the people good government, and among
those who have not felt the. touch of his iron
hand he is enthusiastically popular AS brave
as he is audacious. he has shrank from no dan
ger, and has faced assasslns again and again
Once when a bomb was thrown at him he coolly
stepped upon the fuse, and turning. to his
frightened companion, remarked;
'sTrney do not even know enough to kill me-
The manner in which he got his wife illus
frates the character and method of the
Being on a journey into the interior, he en-
tertaIned by merchant of some note, who had
a daughter, a rosebud of girl, whose beauty
struck responsive chord in the heart OF the
widower President. Before leaving the place he
informed his host that no desired to make the
girl his wife, but as she not quite old enough
to be married. he wished her sent to school and
educated in English and French conversation.
In music embroidery and painting In about
two years he thought she would be of sufficient
age and accomplishments to preside IN the presl-
Dental palace, when he would formally ask the
honor Of her hand in marriage.
This proposition rather staggered the country
Senior, the girl is yours but in his mind he de-
termined that no daughter of his should ever be
the wife of Rufno Barrios. The President
however kept an eye on the family, and twice
sent an officer TO remind them about the school
arrangement before the father carried 1t out he
also advertised extensively that lie had selected
the maiden as his future wife, and would marry
her as soon as her education was completed
The two years passed, and Barrios claimed his
bride The girl refused to marry him, and the
father sustained her in the refusal expressing his
views of his would be son-in-law in no guarded
terms. TO speak evil Of the King treason here
it used to be in England in the time OF Henry ILL.,
and the country merchant was promptly arrested.
His property was confscated for the use of the
government, and he sent to work in the
streets, with ball and chain on his leg. 1t
sounds like fifteenth century romance. but
every one in Guatemala knows the story is true
Finally the GIRL frightened at her fathers
distress, gave in and begged the old gentleman
to yield his consent. He reluctantly did so, and
attended the most brilliant wedding feast that
was ever known in Central America. The bride
received diamond necklace and coronet. half a
million dollars i'll money and the finest residence
in Guatemala. The father released from
rest his property was restored to him, he was
established in the banking business, aud became
the fiscal agent OF the government, which is
worth a small fortune to him every year. Bar
rios very generously forgaye the old man, and
the two are now great chums.
In appearance, Barrios looks like ex- Secretary
Is. II. Br1Stow, OF New ork, except that he Is
few inches shorter, and his closely trimmed
beard and mustache are gray. He looks more
like an Irishman than Spanlard He is active
energetic hail-fellow-well- met with everybody,
and was never accused of concealment in nego-
tiationS with men. On the contrary, he is eX-
cessively frank and outspoken, and permits no
one to palaver with him in the Spanish way
When he has an undertaking in hand he
completes it as soon as possible and plunges
head first into things IL the true North
American fashion. which causes the slow going
procrastinating Spaniards great perplexity of
mind.