Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-17
lHI STRANGER FROM AMERICA.
A TALE OF GALlCIA-T translated
FROM THE SPANISH OF
FULGOSlO.


dor, and the great glass windows in tn
Tower OF Hercules, the tall hght-hous
which lights the harbor. caught them, 100
and shone a. If the lamps were all abiaze
A ship was swinging with tho tide IN TN
ofing. The sailors were climbing mp an'
down tho masts unfurling the SAILS ant
preparing for departure. Tho pier wa
crowded with men, women. and chiidreh
and small boats were plying back an'
forth, carrying the passengers on ooaro
The crowd was composed OF the poore
classes who, lacking means 20 .atih tnei
native land, were bounu ior south hinoii
on in search of fortune.
Thore were the usual sorrowful leave
takincs. Anxious looks were cast TOWARD
The vessel which was TO bear ITS ilylnE
freicht across the sea as II 1t could tel th'
secrets of the tempestuous waves whici
awaited IL between haven and haven
Men and women were embracing chlidrci
were crying, and as each boat-load de
parted carrying the emigrants anu tn'
chests containing their scanty possessions
wal arose from those who were to TO
main behind. -,
Antonio. an old sailor who had been or
dered by the Captain TO roman on tne
pier until the last emigrant was ABOARD,
10 see that no children and no packages
were left behind in the general conlusioh,
declared that he would rather face dozen
Java pirates than such an army oil weeping
Come. good people. this ~ no time for
o.rsnonv IS he called brisklv; hurry into
the boats and get on board. ,,,..
ne stunned and turned away hrs head 70
.yo;d tbe SIGHT Of mother who was cling
Ing 10 her son and saying gOod-by Tor the
hundredth time.
Come, my good woman; let bum go.
The Madonna will protect him." ne said.
This way, nv dear addressing pretty
r;,I Rnenos Avres will be better than
ever II YOU are going TO live there. Come
into the boat quick, all of Won. Hello; my
son. what is the matter with you! have
you lost your chestl"
'"J haven't any, replied boy, who
stood holding a small bundle tied up IN a
red cotton handkerchief.
Where are your folks--your father and
mother"
the boy. ,,,
nearance 90 utterly forlorn and hopeless
that the sailor looked at him Sharply.
"Mv ewes. If my heart was not as hard
es cocoanut should pity You" no e1,
claimed. Into the boat with you, ana
shame I SOW. upon those who send 80
young a lad of into the world alone.
The GOOD sailor was too much OF q
dinlomatist 70 express his opinion OF the
Gpy,s chance for success in the strange
world beyond the sea. but he added:
"Jump into the boat quick, and II any
one on hoard leases Won, Just remember
Tho, INV name is Antonio, DO you hear? If
Won GET iato trouble and do not come TO
me. by Heaven! I'll catch, YOU and peat
YOU black and blue. Hello, baby, what
are Won doing here? don't suppose you
have the-the--good fortune TO san WIN WIZ,
usn he continued, addressing lovely
little girl of about six years. who was
holding the bows hand and crying bitterly.
The child did not answer, and he turned
again 10 the boy.
"Who is this little girl? And what is
your name. boy?n he asked.
"They cell me Jose Benito," said the boy.
THAT is a good name. But the baby
who is shel"
"She is Maria"
"That is a good name, too. il she going
on board or does she stav ashore!"
"She STAYS ashore. Yes, SIR" said Jose
Benito. bis 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 carried
the tender heart of a child. Although he
swore yaliantlv at the crowd OF weeping
women. he pitied every single one. or them:
and the passionate sobs Of this little girl
osme 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 sailor Of the seas.
Taua was lovely child. Her large
brown ewes, glistening with tears, looked
ND imploringly INFO the sailors face. she
cling with ali her strength to the boys
hand, and as Antonio tried gently TO draw
her away she threw herself at his feet and
clasplng her little hands begged him not
TO separate her from lose Benlto.
Here was nice situation. The passen-
gers, with the exception of THEOLOGY. were
all on board and the last boat was wait
ing for Antonio. Tie could hear the creak,,
Ing of the chain as the sailors weighed
anchor. There was not moment 10 lose,
and still Maria chung to him with all the
frenzy of childish grief. Put her away
roughly he could not.
"You must kiss your brother good by
and run home. littlegirl. There is no help
for II :" he said.
"sbe is not nv sister" said Jose Benito.
PS So5 int e sa 1ehS TnT ' why do
az am Maria" sobbed the child.
Poor Antonio was in despair.
"Tbe fact that YOU are Maria does not
HELM matters in the least" he said. despe-
rstely. Then turning 10 the boy;
Here. YOU, jose, or Benlto, or whoever
you are, tell me who this little girl q, ana
he quick about il. She is dressed better
than YOU are. Who IL shei"
"Sbe is Maria, that is all ] know, sir"
,aid 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" SAID Antonio, draw
ing his rough hand over his eyes. "Iou
can come aboard. little one" he added;
There are women there who will look
after YOU and when YOU grow up If you
still love your friend you can marry him.
But if we wait here any longer the Captain
will scoldus. VIII Won come, Maria?"
Yes. yes" said the child eagerly,
smiling through her tears. jose Benito
Is all love in the world, for be is the only
one who loves me. The others hate the
sight of me. Oh. know II al the time"
As Antonio seized the hands OF the TWO
children 20 hurry them into the boat wo-
man came running down to the pier.
"Maria. Maria |" she called. Her voice
was loud and angry.
The little girl trembled with terror. If
Antonio had not caught her in his arms
she would have fallen TO the ground.
us this child yours?" he asked, scowl-
ing at the woman.
"She belongs to nv mistress, and have
orders 10 take her away from this fool of a
boy" replied the woman. She was dressed
lks a servant. aud her face was as re-
polling as her harsh, ugly voice.
II have no right 10 keep her" said the
sailor, fercely, but | must say that
leaving her with you is like throwing a ca
nary into the Jaws of shark"
wretch" screamed the woman; but
then who could expect anything decent
and civil FROM an ugly sailor like you.n
IF / am az ugly as YOU are may the
Lord have mercy onme!" replied Antonio.
He kissed the weeping child and sprang
into the boat
Goodbye, Maria. I will come back
some dav." called Jose Beuito as the boat
was rowed away.
Goodbye. Maria" called Antonio. And
"a he saw the woman with the ugly face
dragging tho child away he muttered a
melediction between his teeth and swore
by oil tho saints in the calendar that If
there was any justice in Galicia that
woman would end ON the gallows.