Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-12-09
:BT'cHRISTlRA RElD'

Spanish house. where at the head of the broad stone steps he was met by an English speaking landlord, who relieved him of all further necessity to think for himself.
 An hour later he was seated at one of the small tables placed invitingly around the gallery which overlooked the large inner patio, or court, with Senor Fer nandez opposite him. The scene was altogether charming to eyes fresh from more northern latitude. The polished tiles that formed the floor of the wide l gallery stretched to stone balustrade where broad leafed tropical plants were set in large pots, while through the great arches that sprang from pillar to pillar the dark violet sky, sown Nith golden stars, looked down. Around the gallery various other parties were dining at the tables set here and there, walters, noise less as oriental slaves, skinned lightly back and forth over the smooth pave ment, the air was soft as caress, and most important point-the cuisine was excellent.
 In the intervals of doing justice to it | Derwent studied the appearance of the mau to whom Morell ad consigned him. Senor Fernandez was probably of mid dle age, but he bore his years lightly. A | slender, dark man, well bred, well dressed, with all the courteous suavity of his country, it was impossible not to find him agreeable; yet Derwent was conscious of a sentiment of distrust, which he could only account for by be- lieving that it sprang from a warning | given him before he entered Mexico by a man who knew the country we'll. ''The men," he said, "whom I advise | you to look most sharply after in busi- ness dealings are Mexicans who have | learned their business methods in the states, It is a sad fact that in the mat ter of honesty they are very likely to be demoralized. Doesn't say much for our higher civilization, does it? 1 never re- gretted trusting a native Mexican, but when you find one who is thoroughly Americanized it is generally safe to watch him."
 This warning from a shrewd practical man had struck Derwent as rather an | amusing commentary on the higher civ | lliZatiOn which at another moment the | speaker would have been ready enough | to arrogate to himself and his people. | but he remen Dered it when Morell said | to him: You'll find Fernandez speaks | English pcrfectly-he lived sixteen years in CalifOrnia-and is thoroughly con versant with American habits. He's a capital partner for me. He manages the Mcxicans and gets the mines, while introduce then to the notice of inquir- ing investors ike yourself, You'll like him, know"
 Derwent was doubtful on this point, and he still remained doubtful when he met Senor Fernandez. Yet there could be no question of that gentleman's agree able qualities. As they dined together he proved a very pleasant companion waived the discussion of business, talked of the attractions of Guadalajara, light ly slietched its history and deftly changed his tone when he found that Derwent had scant sympathy for the az gressions and tyrannies of the so called ''Hberal' government. Senor Fernan- dez, it appeared, was one of those gen tlemen who always find it convenient to uphold the existing order of things. He spoke familiarity of ministers and gover- nors, shrugged his shoulders when Der went denounced the wholesale robbery and persecution of the church, was evi- dently too highly civilized to possess | either religion pr patriotism, and thought that the golden day of promise would dawn for Mexico when, giving up her ''antiquated customs," she would be re- | created according to the admirable pat | tern of her neighbor across the Rio | Grande. He was somewhat astonished l by Derwent's reply to this
 "When that day comes, if it ever | does, said the young man, your coun- | try will cease to be worth caring for She will lose her individuality and be- come feeble copy of a civilization alto gether alien to that which has made her what she is. All that renders her most attractive to those who have any cul- tured appreciation will disappear; the foreign charm of her beautiful old cities, the exquisite manners of her people, the decorum of her women, the respectful obedience of her children, the grace of her picturesque, unhurried life; but, more than that, the things that she will copy will be the worst things in the civ, ilization she desires to initiate. There can be no doubt that sharp American practices will be among the first i'm | proVementS that American admirers will import into Mexico"
 Senor Fernandez smiled, but it was 1T a somewhat disconcerted manner, as ht bowed over his glass of claret. "I ar delighted to find that you have so higl an opinion of Mexico" he said. Mos Americans think that we have much tC learn and that we cannot do better thar copy their more fortunate country"
 Most Americans-like their Englisl kinsmen-are too narrow minded to un derstand that patent Anglo-Saxon meth ods of civilization don't suit every peo
 ple," said Derwent God knows, the,
 had better reform themselves before set
 ting out to reform the world. But yol
 take nothing more, senor. May offe
 you cigar!"
 It was accepted and lighted, the tabl
 cleared and then the two men looked a
 each other with glance of mutual in
 terrogation.
 ''Let us get to business now" Derwen
 said. You have heard from Morell, o
 course. You know that I am here t
 examine the mine that you and he ar | offering for sale When can we % f.