The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-11-06

ply, TOR she went yesterday morning
with her little daughter. Armida, to
Santa Rosa: but will try To make ar
SO that the news can not
reach her suddenly and will telegraph
to her friends at Santa Rosa as soon as
can reach the depot 1t is not long
you later at the mayors Office Saying
which, Valasquez started his horse at
brisk trot, and the sad little party
moved on at slower pace.
CHAPTER II.
Mario Delaro. the man whose dead
body had been found, was as his name
indicates. an Italian who had emigrated
to America Immediately after the close
of the civil war, while he was still
youth.
His parents had been well-to-do but
his father met with reyerseS in conse-
quence OF patriotic endeavor to estab-
lish some large factories near to Naples.
which had turned out failure.
Young Mario. full of pluck and spirit,
determined not to become in any way
dependent on his father in his strait
ened circumstances, SO with praise
worthy energy he resolved to try his
luck in California. Like many others,
before and since, he was doomed to
meet with some bitter disappointments,
but as he had made up his mind to bat
tie in earnest with the world, there was
little fear that he would starye.
lie first tried the mining districts.
but there met with Indifferent success.
Still. by hard work he managed to get a
little money ahead and drifted to San
Francisco. where he opened fruit
store. There he was more successful
and soon saved several thousand dol
lars
Growing tired OF the busy, yet hum.
drum life OF the city, he resolved on
trying his hard in the wine-growing
districts. and bought few acres Of land
in the fertile Sonoma valley.
Owing to his imperfect knowledge Of
the business he at first lost great deal
Of money in the venture, and by the
time that he had mastered all the nec-
essary points and was turning out sat
isfactory wines, he found that the poor
wines which many of his competitors
were putting on the market had caused
the people to speak disparagingly OF
domestic wines, so that the trade in
them was conside rably fallen off,
However. he continued to persevere in
the face OF i'll fortune, and was at last
rewarded with success.
I Elated with his good fortune, he con.
ceived the idea OF becoming part owner
and manager Of one of the largest wine.
! growing concerns in Sonoma County,
! and In an evil hour took into partner
ship Portuguese named Leon Velas.
quez, so that he might have the means
to purchase some neighboring vine
yards
Velasquez brought quite large sum
| of money into the business. though how
i he came by it was often afterwards Q
/ theme for speculation in the mind o.
| Mario.
For nearly a year all went we'll and
| the prospects for the next year were
| quite brilliant But before the end Of
twelve months partnership Velasque,
began to show signs OF lessening per
.sonal interest in the business.
He took oft-repeated trips to San
Francisco and made frequent demands
for money. which at first Mario in.
variably met without questioning; hui
when one day Velasquez proposed te
! considerably overdraw his account, /;
! quarrel ensued. caused by Mario's re
/ fusal
Thereupon velasquez displayed char
acteristics which told that he was no
quite the polished gentleman he pre-
tended to be.
But Mario's refusal served good pur
pose; for, after this, Velasquez was no
SO importunate in his demands on tn,
financial resources Of the firm. Mat
ters went on with comparative smooth
ness for time. but Mario was not wei
satisfied with his partner and Otter
wished that he had kept along alone il
his old quiet way. As year follower
year the Posada property continued t
increase in value and Sonoma wine
found q ready sale at all times. Bot
Mario and his partner were making
large sums OF money every year.
Mario was a careful man and investe
his money very cautiously as fast as h
made it, but Velasquez was given I
rash speculation, and frequently los
large sums Of money dabbling in min
ing stocks in San Francisco.
This and his frequent absence frot
the Posada cellars gave Delaro goo
cause for complaint, and he suggeste
to Velasquez the purchase of his shar
in the business.
TO this Velasqucz would not listen
He was always sure Of good thing, a
he knew full we'll, SO long as he retaine
his interest in the vineyard and tn
wine-cellars and he knew enough t
stick to his partner.
TO BE CONTINUED.
A HOWELL Miss boy. fourteen year