Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-19

cussing their lato discovery. But they
were in no better mood than their late
companions, and it appeared from their con-
versaton that in an evil moment they had
sold out their interest in the alleged silver
mine to Wies and Pedro for few hundred
dollars-succumbing to what they were as
sured would be an active opposition on the
part of the AmcricanoS. Tho astute reader
will easily understand that the accomplished
Mr.. Wiles did not inform them of its value
as a quicksilver mine, although he was OBJ
liaed to mpart his secret to Pedro as u
necessary accomplish and reckless coadjutor.
That Pedro felt no qualms of conscience in
thus bctraying his two comrades may be in
ferrod from his recent direct and sincere
treatment of Concho, and that he would, if
occasion offered or policy made it oxpedient,
as calmly otliterato Mr.. Wiles-that gentle
man himself never for Il moment doubted.
IF we had waited but n little he would
have given more-this cock-cye!' regretted
Manuel querulously
"Not a peso said Miguel, firmly.
"And why, my Miguel' Thou knowest we
could have worked the mine ourselves
Good, and lost even that labor. Look
you, little brother. Show to me now the
Mexican that has ever made real of a mine
in California. How many, eh' None! Not
a one. Who owns the Mexcan's mine, chs
Americanosl Who takes money from the
Mexican's minel Americanosl Thou re-
memberest Brones, who spent a gold mine
to make a silver once Who has the lands and
house of Briones! Americanosl Who has
tho cattle of Briones! Americanos! Who
has tho mine of Briones! Americanosl Who
| has the silver Briones never foundi Amcri-
canos! Always tho samel Forever! All!
| carramba"
| Then the Evil One evidently took it into
his head and horns to worry and toss these
men-comparatiyely innocent as they were
still further, for purpose. For presently to
them appeared ono Victor Garcia, whilom
a clerk of the AyuntemicntO, who rallied them
over aguardentc, and told them the story of
tho quicksilver discovery, and the two mining
| claims taken ont that night by COncho and
| Wiles Whereat Manuel exploded with pro-
family and burned blue with sulphurous male
dicton; but Miguel, the recent eccesiastic,
|
pause in Manuc's bombardment, and some
thing like this conversation took place be
tween the cooler actors:
Miguel thoughtfully)-W was it thou
didst petition for lands in tho valley, friend
| Victori
Victor ,amazedly)-Nevcrl 1t is a sterile
waste Am ! fooli
Miguel (suftlyl-Thou didst OF thy gov
ernor, Micheltorena | have seen the appli-
cation.
Victor beginning to appreciate a rodential
odoi)-Si, had forgotten. Art thou sure it
was in the valloyi
Miguel porSuasively)- the valley and up
the falda.*
Victor with decision)-Certainly OF a
verity-tho falGa likewise
Migs.l cyeing Victor-Ahd yet thou hadst
not tho grant Painful is it that it should
have been burned with the destruction of the
other archives by the Amcricanos at Mon
terey.
Victor Cautiously feeling his way)-Pos-
siblemento.
Migucl-It mi hit be wise to look into it.
Victor 0luntly)-As why:
Mguel-For our good and thine, friend
Victor Wo bring thee discovery; thou
bringcst us thy skill, thy experience, thy gov
ernment lmowlclge-thy custom house pa
pert
Manuel breaking in drunkenly)-But for
whati We are Mexcans. Are We not fated
We shall lose Who shall keep tho Ameri-
canos or;
Miguc-Wo shall take one American I'M
Hal seest thoul This American comrade
shall Lribo his court, his corrcgidores. After
a little no shall supply tho men who invent
'Falda, or vala, l. O., that part OF tho skirt of
q womans robe that breaks upon the ground, and
IA also applied to the final slope Of a.hll from the
angle that it makes upon the level plain
tGrants, applications and official notifications,
under the Spanish government, we're drawn ON a
stamped paper known as Custom House paper