St. Landry democrat., 1888-05-12
MEXICAN SWjNDIERS.
More Elegant and Much Shrewder Than
the Yankee Sharper.

| An English gentleman was strolllnS
through one of the portales where con.
gregate little traders in certain vare-
ties of merchandise, such as old books,
candy, etc. Owing to the crowds that
throng them, these arcades are favorite
resorts for people who live by their
wits and light fingers. Ga the occa-
sion in question, the Englishman was
suddenly seized by the arms by two
men, who came up on either side of
him, while a third calmly Invested
him of a handsome cloak which he
wore in the Spanish fashion. His two
supporters on the right and left
hands at the same moment init
mated that it might not be per-
fectly convenient or safe for him
to make an cutlery or call attention to
his loss; and, partly through intimi-
dation. partly through surprise, he
did keep silence. The three walked
on in more Oh less sweet accord and
shortly were Joined by the third rob-
Der, who announced to his comrades,
with every semblance of satisfaction:
lit is done" Then he handed the
Englishman pawn-ticket, remarking:
'Senor, you will, I am sure. pardon
the Inconvenience we have caused
you by the temporary absence of your
capa. To be perfectly frank, we three
had need-the most urgent need. |
beg to assure you-of $50, and to OBJ
tain it we have taken the liberty te
borrow your cloak, feeling that you
would be glad to oblige us in so small
matter, and fearing you might not
have the ready money with you. You
will find the garment in pawn at the
address indicated on this card, on the
presentation of which and the pay
ment of $780, it will be delivered to
you unimpaired. You will observe
that we have manifested the utmost
consideration for you in this matter;
we have saved you $40. The cloak is
handsome cloak, and we could have
obtained for it easily 100 good hard
pesos; but we are men of the strictest
sense of honor, and we have pawned
it for only the exact amount of our
absolute need. Senior, a thousand
thanks. We have the honor to wish
you good day." And the English
man was left alone. uncertain even as
to which side the marauders had
turned
A noted Judge in Mexico one day
stood in portal talking with friend.
to whom he said: Forgot that turkey
again! For more than week have
every day promised my wife to go to
the volador and buy her fat turkey
to make galantina (deviled fowD, that
she may invite her brother family to
dinner. And as regularly as the day
comes l forget 1t. By the way, may
have time yet before court opens"
And he put his hand to his watch
pocket. ''Of course" he said, "rve
forgotten my watch, too. Left it in
the light stand drawer. where l always
keep it at night. Well, my memory
certainly grows poorer every day."
The palace clock striking showed it to
be almost court time, and the judge |
went on to his duty. A shabby fellow
standing near the two friends mean
while had lost no word they had spoken.
Half an hour later that lepero pre-
sented himself before the Judges |
wife with a fine. fat turkey. Sonora"
he said, 'your husband, the honored |
judge, sends you this turkey for gal
antina, that you may ask your broth
er's. family to dine tomorrow. And
he is sorry he has forgotten it so often.
And he asks you to send by me his
watch. which is in the drawer of the
light stand, where he always puts it
of nights The turkey was con-
veyed to the larder, and the watch
was handed over. This interesting
little incident was brought to light in
the natural course of events when the
judge returned and sought for his
watch. The rage and modification of
his wife is not to be pictured. The
watch was not to be restored, how.
ever, by lamentation, and matters re-
sumed their accustomed ORDER The
subject ranked, however, in
the mind of her ladyship,
and great was her rejoicing
when the next morning she was sum-
moned to receive spruce young fell
low, with the appearance of a law
yer's clerk. who notified her that the
watch was recovered and the thief ap-
pretended. And" he added. Ito
his Identification as the man
10 whom the huckster sold the turkey,
we have but to produce it in court
that the woman may swear to it." /
More than delighted, the lady pro-
iuced the turkey. with many iniunc-
ions to have it returned seasonably /
or its intricate dressing. But alas
md alack a-day! The guests assem-
oled; the dinner steamed in the kitch-
N. No messenger; no turkey. And ,
he contiding housewife realized only .
when her husband appeared and the .
tate of affairs transpired that the
oothsome turkey had gone to regale
he adrOit aDDropriators Of the time.