Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-06
THE STRANGER FROM AMERICA.

The bay of Corunna was lying blue and
placid in the afternoon sun. The polished
cannon of the two old forts caught the sun
beams and glistened in peaceful splendor.
and the great glass windows in the Tower
of Hercules, the tall lighthouse which
lights the harbor caught them, too, and
shone as if the lamps were all ablaze.
A ship was swinging with the tide in
the offing. The sailors were climbing up
and down the masts, unfurling the sails
and preparingfor departure. The pier
was crowded with men, women and chill
dren, and small boats were plying back
and forth, carrying the passengers on board.
The crowd was composed of the poorer
classes, who, lacking means to farm their
native land, were bound for South America
in search OF fortune.
There were the usual sorrowful leave
takings. Anxious looks were cast toward
the vessel which was to bear its living
freight across the sea, as if it could tell the
secrets of the tempestuous waves which
awaited it between haven and haven Men
and women were embracing, children were
CRYING, and as each boatload departed car
rying the emigants and the chests con-
tanning their seanty possessions a vail arose
from those who were to remain behind.
Antonio, an old sailor, who had been
ordered by the Captain to remain on the
pier until the last emigrant was aboard, to
see that no children and no packages were
left behind in the general confusion, de-
clared that he would rather face dozen
Java pirates than such an army Of weeping
women.
"Come, good people, this is no time for
ceremony" he called briskly; hurry into
the boats and get on board"
He stopped and turned away his head
to avoid the sight of a mother who was
clinging to her son and saying good-bve
for the hundredth time.
"Come, my good woman, let him go.
The Madonna will protect him" he said.
"This way, my DEAR addressing a pretty
girl-"Buenos Ayres will be better than
ever if you are going to live there. Come,
into the boat quick, all of you. Hellol
my son, what is the matter with you?
Have you lost your chest y
81 haven't any" replied boy, who
stood holding a small bundle tied up in
red cotton handkerchief.
'Where are your folks-your father and
motherY
"There is nobody belonging to me-"
said the boy.
His voice was so weary and his whole
appearance so utterly forlorn and hopeless
that the sailor looked at him sharply.
''My eyes! If my heart was not as hard
as a coeoanut l should pity you,' he ex-
claimed. "Into the boat with you, and
shame, | say, upon those who send SO
young lad off into the world alone"
The good slilor was too much of a di-
plomatist TO express his opinion of the
boys chances for success in the strange
>world beyond the sea, but he added:
"Jump into the boat quick, and if any
one on board leases you, just remember
that my name is Antonio, do you hear? If
you get into trouble and do not come to
me, by Heaven Pll catch you and beat
you black and blue Hello, baby, what
are you doing here? don't suppose you
have the-the-good fortune to sail with
u.s." he continued, addressing lovely little
girl OF about six years, who Was holding
the boys hand and crying bitterly.
The child did not answer, and he turned
again to the boy.
"Who is this little girl? And what is
your name, boy ?" he asked
'They call me Jose Benito," said the
boy.
THAT is a good name. But the baby,
who is she ?"
''She is Maria"
"That is good name, too Is she going
on board, or does she stay ashoref"
''She stays ashore Yes, sir" said Jose
Benito, his voice breaking with sobs as he
looked down at the child, who was still
clinging to his hand.
'Who are you, little girl?" asked the
sailor kindly.
~ am Maria" she said.
Under his rough exterior Antonio car
ried the tender heart of child Although
he swore valiantly at the crowd of weep
ing women, he pitied every single one of
them, and the passionate sobs of the little
girl came near making him cry as he had
not cried since the day, years before, when
he left the paternal cottage to begin the
life of a sailor of the seas.
Maria was a lovely child Her large
brown eyes, glistening with tears, looked
up imploringly into the sailors face. She
clung with all her strength to the boys
hand, and as Antonio tried gently to draw
her away she threw herself at his feet and,
clasping her little hands, begged him not
to separate her from Jose Benito.
Here was a nice situation. The passen-
gers with the exception of the boy, were
all on board, and the last boat was waiting
for Antonio He could hear the creaking
of the chain as the sailors weighed anchor.
There was not moment to lose, and still
Maria clung to him with all the frenzy Of
childish grief. Put her away roughly he
could not.
''You must kiss your brother goodbye
and run home, little girl. There is no
help for it, he faid.
"She is not my sister," said Jose Benlto.
'sYou poor little thing, who are you,
then ?" asked the sailor "And why do
you care so much for this boy ?"
81 am Maria sobbed the child
Poor Antonio was in despair.
"The fact that you are Maria docs not
help matters in the least" he said desper-
ately. Then turning to the boy:
"Here you, Jose, or Benito, or whoever
you are, tell me who this little girl is, and
be quick about i, She is dressed better
than YOU are. Who is she ?"
"She is Maria, that is all know, sir," "
said the boy still sobbing. ''She lives in
the house where lived. They say she is
the niece of the lady there; but nobody
cares for her."
"Poor little thing y said Antonio, draw
ing his rough hand over his eyes. "You
can come aboard, little one" he added;
sthere are women there who will look
after you, and when you grow up if you
stu love your friend you can marry him.
But If we wait here any longer the Cap
tain will scold US. Win you come, Maria ~
Eyes, yes" said the child, eagerly,
smiling through her tears. "Jose Benito
is all love in the world, for he is the