New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-30
SANTOSS BROTHER.


BY FLORA HAINES LOUGHEAD.
The early December shone brightly along
the foot his of the Coast Range. Under lls senl@l
influence millions of tiny seeds expanded INTO HE
ana pierced the moist turf with Their lanceiS.
The cloud masses OF yesterday ulpped Dehilu .ne
mountains raising here and there bllowy crest
10 overlook the valley which had been the scene
of their grateful ministry new life seemed 70
have been infused into the sluggish veins OF Inc
diving year Aoout the farm-houses. neglected
plants, uncared for during the long, dry sumner
already showed promise OF bud ana bloom o'al-
wart ranchmcn, but yesterday ldly resIng from
harvest and vintage, were already behind the
plough. opening deep black burrows III Orchard
and vineyard. The more prudent moved restlessly
about stable and Workshop getting out harrowS
and cultiVatOrs SHARPENING plOugh-shareS ana
spades as they impatdently waited for the surplus
moisture 10 be absorbed before they uptufheu
the wet clOds 10 the action OF the suns greedy
rays Everything In all the landscape was IN
k1inct with energy and new me-
All things save two Down the road from the
old mission, where a low pile OF adobe iuldlng'
and crumbng belfry stood out in strange con-
tIast to the jaunty modern dwellings that sur
rounded Them came two moving oDlectS Drawn
nearer they resolved themselves into COW ana
man. Unlike all other animate beings wltmn
the range Of vision, these alone seemed possessed
OF definite aim or purpose. Although
long rope was attached to the horns OF the req
cow and the man held the end in his hand, IL was
not difficult TO see which had the ascendancy.
The COW walked leisurely from side to side OF uhe
road, examining the scant heritage with languld
satisfaction Sometimes she s'oDrcd TO hl9 pIe
daintly at a dried clump of last springs vegetation
sometimes She thrust her nose through the wire
fence at the roadside TO nip a toothsome peach
or almond bud already swelling and disclosing
touch of vivid pink more frequently she strolled
lazilv down the middle OF the road, chewing the
cud Of her mornings meal with grim satisfaction;
and wherever the cow led, the man followed.
At length they came to narrow lane where an
overfiowed lrrIgatmg dtch evoked generous crop
Of grass and dock the year round. Iall gum,treeS
stood guard by the roadside and carpeted the
ground beneath them with great strips of cinnamon
cOlOred bark. Here the cow fell eagerly To graz
iupa nd he sank
All day long they stayed there. Sometimes the
COW moved about in her search for succulent
moiscls but the man scarcely shifted his position
Passers-by looked at him with varying sentiments
OF pity, curiosity or indifference, but he never
needed them. casual observer might have
thought him sleeping, but beneath the Dim OF
his coarse straw hat his wide, dark eyes, fixed
on the hills told that his sense of vision was
awake
Reclining there. on "a Dark-cotered bank, he
presented a striking picture Of manly strength.
lie WAS large with a wel-lSnit, muscular figure.
Living inert, mOtionleSS, he looked like torpid
,iant The sun crossed the meridian and santed
down upon the bank. searching out the strong,
manly features of the sun burned face, discovering
lines OF gold in the tawny beard falling fuii
in the wide, brown eyes. which lazhy bhnked
and closed bat their owner neither turned his
head nor pulled his hat-brm forward for pro
lection Had this sluggish Hercules no sense OF
shame at Thought OF me DuSg I9rcgs ,ping M ~
work He alone, of all creation, seemed content
10 be an der
The sound Of youthful voices ecnOeu drouhu 'ne
bend in the road. A moment later there came IN
sight a band of merry children, returning from
school 4 shout went up as they saw him.
"Santos'S brother IIurrah!
Now for some fun They tossed satchels ard
lunch-basllets upon the ground and made ready
for sport
Sit mp"
The man rose to sitting posture.
" Put your finger in your mouth
lie obcyed
Say Mary has little lamb
The man complied without a protest
Z" Get down on your hands and knees Play
you're a dog" cried one merry Doy
Down upon all tours went the man.
GrOwl"
He simulated the growl of dog
Bark. 'b0w-wOw-wowv"
lie initiated the bark Of dog.
" Now sit up and beg"
His attropt 10 accomplish this absurd canine
trick sent his toImentors into fresh paroxysms
OF laughter.
Take off your shoes and stockings was the
next command.
He unlaced his shoes and, removing them, dis
played pair Of large, shapely feet
Now get down and bark at the cow"
Again the man passively obeycd. During the
whole Of this extraordinary performance he had
not smiled nor had his expression changed
the least degree. His wide brown eyes regarded
the children calmly and with as little feeling
As they had viewed the hills all day. But now
arose "a conflict OF authorities. The COW objected
10 the proceedings and turned upon him in
nenacing manner. lowering her horns, and max
ing ready for active resistance. FOR the first
time the huge fellow hesiiated. and looked ques-
tioningy from one 10 the other
II is impossible 10 say how this curious con-
fct ould have resulted. for. while the man still
dashed around the bend in the road. and It's
occupant, taking in the whole scene IN glance,
reined up before the merry group
Celestine' and Johnnie and Robbie, and little
Josefo. and all the rest of you Do school, and
church. and the good Rareats At home teach