Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-15

OEDdu oAouc Steps nv WIZ met Dy III
English speaking landlord VINO relieved
him Of all further necessity to think for
himself
An hour later ne was seated AT one Of
the small tables placed invitingly around
the gallery which overlooked the large
inner patio OF court with Senior Fer
nandez opposite him The scene was
altogether charming to eyes fresh from
more northern latitude The polished
tiles that formed the npor of the wide
gallery stretched to stone balustrade
where broad leafel tropical plants were
set in large pots. while through the great
arches that sprang from pillar to pillar
the dark violet sky. sown with golden
stars looked down Around the gallery
various other parties were dining al the
tables sci 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 10 II
Derwent studied the appearance Of the
man TO whom Morell a consigned him
Senior Fernandez was probably Of mid
die age. hut he bore his years lightly. A
slender. dark man. well bred. well
dressed. with all tine courteous suavity
OF his country. it was impossible not 70
find HIM agreeable. yet Derwent was
conscious OF sentiment of distrust
which he could only account for by be-
lieving that II sprang from a warning
given him before he entered Mexico by a
man who knew the country well
THE men. he said. whom advise
you to look most sharply after in busi.
ness dealings are Mexicans who have
learned their business methods in the
states II is 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 til never re-
GREETED trusting native Mexican. but
when you find one who Is thoroughly
Americanlzed 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
ilization which at another moment the
speaker would have been ready enough
to arrogate to himself and his people,
but he oered II when Morell said
to him You'll find Fernandez speaks
English perfectly-he lived sixteen years
in Californla-and Is thoroughly con.
versant with American habits He's a
capital partner for me. He manages
the Mexicans and gets the mines, while
introduce them to the notice of Inqnir
ing investors like yourself You II like
him | know
Derwent was doubtful on this point
and he still renamed doubtful when ne
met Senior Fernandez Yet there could
be no question Of that gentleman's agree
able qualities. AS they dined together
he proved very pleasant companion
waived the discussion of bnsiness talked
of the attractions of inadalalara. hight
ly sketched its history and deftly
changed his tone when he found that
Derwent had scant sympathy for the ag
gressions and tyrannies OF the 80 called
Liberal government Senior Fernan
DEE. II appeared was one OF those gen
tlemen who always. find II convenient 70
uphold the existing order Of things He
spoke Familiarity of ministers and Cover.
nors shrugged his shoulders when Der
went denounced the wholesale robbery
and persecution of the church. was evi
IDENTIFY TOO nightly civilized to possess
either religion or 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
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 civilization alto
gether alien to that which has made her
what she is All that renders her most
attractive to those who nave any cu-
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
she desires to initiate. There
can be no doubt that sharp American
practices will be among the first inn
provements that American admirers
will import into Mexico
Senior Fernandez smiled. but it was in
a somewhat disconnected manner, as he
bowed over his glass of claret. Il am |
delighted to find that you have so high |
an opinion of Mexico" he said. Most |
Americans think that we have much To
learn and that we cannot do better than |
copy their more fortunate country.
Most Americans-like their English
too narrow minded to un-
that patent Anglo-Saxon meth
DDS of civilization don't suit every peo-
pile. said Derwent .'God knows. they
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