Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-06
at is from my master p
flyIvl -x.os,

and a very rich man, too. He found me
on board ship and he pitied me for my
poverty and misfortunes. He offered to
take me as his servant, and l was only toe
glad to accept"
"H'ml If he is rich and generous, ]
should think he would give you better
clothes to wear"
mo doubt he will, Sonora; but we only
reached port an hour ago"
what business has your master with
me, and in such a hurry, too?"
~ do not know, Sonora" replied the
| young man; but it did not escape his
notice that the widow turned pale, and
the hand that held the letter trembled.
"Are you to wait for an answer" she
asked.
Yes, Sonora"
''Then go and wait at the door until 1
call you"
! The young man turned to obey, when
the widow, who had hastily opened the
letter, started violently.
"Jose Benito, Jose Benito, come here,
quickH she called.
Her daughters rushed TO her side, ques-
tioning her eagerly, but she ordered them
from the room together with Maria.
! Then closing the door she turned TO Jose
| Benito.
@Who is your master? What is his
name?n she asked sharply.
"Don Jose de Zayas, Sonora
as he a respectable person."
"He is said to be worth S5,000,000."
'But is he a gentleman"
"Ah, Sonora, with 50 much money he
Every well, that is enough" she said,
impatiently "Tell him l will receive him
at once"
@Thank you, Sonora" said poor Jose
Benito as he went away.
| A half hour later, as the Widow San
chez, attired in her richest costume, sat
waiting in her parlor, the maid announced
the arrival of the expected guest.
1 As the man entered the room the widow
bit her lips to restrain smile at his ex-
traordinary figure He was tall and stout,
with STOPPING shoulders; he had an enor-
nous red nose, and his wrinkled skin was
brown and weather-beaten; stiff, bristling
gray beard covered the lower part of his
face, and his hair was reduced to a gray
fringe across the back Of his neck,
leaving the rest of his head bald and
shiny His costume was of fine
black broadcloth, with the exception of
| the vest, which was of yellow velvet spot
ted with red. Across the broad and ample
breast he wore gold watch chain as mas
sive as a ships cable, his fat fingers were
covered with costly rings, and in his shirt
front sparkled magnificent diamond.
At the widows request he seated him
self upon the sofa, while his long legs
stretched half way across the parlor.
For few moments not word was
spoken each sat cycling the other with
evident distrust and suspicion.
"Have l the honor of addressing Don
Jose de Zayas % said the widow at length.
"Your servant, Sonora. And | suppose
| am addressing the Widow Sanchez ?"
said the stranger, with an awkward bow.
! He was evidently embarrassed. He
| coughed several times, ran his fingers ner-
vously through his beard, and then sat
gazing at his red, bejeweled hands.
AT length, summoning up courage, he
said
81 am plain man, of few words, Sc
nora, and we will proceed to business at
once What is your answer, yes or no?
The widow hesitated. She had already
| formed her own plans to appropriate this
mans millions. and they differed materi-
ally from those which he had proposed
Her object now was to gain time.
"When | read this letter which your
| servant"
"My Secretary. have made the young
man my Secretary" he interrupted her
gruffiy.
II beg your pardon, Senior, your Secre-
tary. When | read this letter, thought
at first it was cruel joke some malicious
person was playing upon an unprotected
widow, but"
"As it told the truth, you saw that it
was in dead earnest-eh, Senora~
| ~ have been very unfortunate" she said,
pressing her handkerchief to her eyes,
"and, much as l shrink from doing so,
am compelled to accept your offered aid
| think / can make the terms satisfactory
to you," she added with a simpering smile
81 want nothing, Sonora, except what
the letter stated, that, or our business is at
an end. Do you understand? | thought
the letter was plain enough. Listen" !"
| He leaned forward suddenly, and, taking
the letter from her hand, began to read:
RESPECTED Sonora: l know that not only
the house in which you live, but your
Jewels and all your property have been
mortgaged and the money squandered.
You have also appropriated to your own
use the property Of your neice and ward,
Maria, which has also be lost. Your cred
itors are pressing you, and within week
your house will be sold over your head to
satisfy there demands. will pay off your
mortgages and place you in comfortable
circumstances on one condition-that you
/ al 1o,I of hor.o
marriage"
The old man laid the letter on the table
and sat awaiting her reply.
"But, Senior, do not know who you are.
You may be unable to do all this" she
gasped.
"Look p he said, drawing a package of
papers from his pocket, which he carefully
| uniolded and held at safe distance for her
| to see.
They were all the mortgages and notes
which were outstanding against her.
~ have bought all these and now / am
your only creditor" he said, chuckling to
| himself as he saw her cheeks grow pale.
sAnd have still more" he went on, ~
have full proofs of your theft of your
wards money. You thought that you had
| DESTROYED them, but, Sonora, such actions
are sure to come to light. On the day
that Maria becomes my wife l will burn
all these in your presence. If you refuse
my proposal / shall proceed against you
to the full extent of the law. Now, take
your choice. Meanwhile / will tell you
all you need to know of my history.
went to South America poor boy. There
a kind man took me into his service. l
nursed him through terrible illness, and
he became so fond of me that, as he had
not a relative in the world, he adopted me
and gave me his name, which hope to
carry with honor as long as live. When
my benefactor died / found he had made
me heir TO his immense frtune. then
went to California, where, by lucky in
Il j u Z