The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-07-31
JARAMILLO'S GIRL.

The gossips of the little California
town of Savoy talked much about Mrs.
Duperu. She was very wealthy, lame
old lady who lived in lonely grandeur in
country residence called Robin Wood,
about mile from the town, with
no one but servants about her. 1t was
said that she had q son for whom she had
planned great career, but that she had
disowned him.
What had been his fault was not GER
tainly known, but it was reported that
he had led life of foolish pleasure, and
ut last married rope-dancer.
One day two events stirred the drowsy
atmosphere of Savoy.
r---Ths first -Was-deeply- -,tIagic..v-A new
graders were at work on the mountain
side about a third of mile from the
town. During IA heavy blast in the
morning one of the Chinese, named Ah
Cow, had been killed.
The Chinaman's body was badly mu-
tilated, and, dreadful to relate, his head
could not be found.
Poor Ah Cows body, lacking the
head, received temporary burial on
the mountain. | say temporary, because.
after time, the bones of all Chinese
VINO die IN foreign lands are, if possible,
eXbumed and sent back TO China. to re.
celve final intcrment in their native soil.
The second event was simplv Eobt
comedy. A circus came to town. and
pitched its tent on the plaza. A grace
lui little girl, who danced on the slack
wire, was greatly admircd but the ap.
plause and laughter were loudest when
ever Jaramillo, the clown, appeared.
When the circus departed from SAVOY,
1T left behind it Jaramillo, the clown.
Many of those who had heard his hollow
,'rIo I'tsr,rrur -ru-orrv->.-.------s-..N
followed by side. shaking Jest, had
laughed and thought the mockery cx-
cellent; but, alas! the cough was a
reality, and .JaramilIo was dying!
He remained at the Woodman's Hotel,
kept by the rude and energetic Mrs.
Driscoll. His little daughter, Mercedes,
whom he called Mercy, was with him.
She was the graceful child who had
danced on the slack wire.
JaramiIlO fingered several weeks. al
ways hopeful OF recovery. Nevertheless,
he wrote Il letter one day, sealed and
stamped it. Then, giving it to Mercy,
he said.
"Kccp that, Mercy, and if anything
happens to me, put it in the postoflice."
Mercy wondered what he meant, but
she put the letter away carefully in
deep pocket of her dress.
Isrsmll!o s. money gaye out. The
complained loudly to her family and
friends, but never to the clown or to
Mercy. Jaramillo cheerfuliy asserted that
ne would soon be on his feet again, and
would pay up everything.
One sad day he asked Mercy to bring
his makeup box and the looking glass.
She had never seen his eyes so bright.
and thought with JOY that he was much
better. She held the glass while he
painted his face. At last he said.
now
lie fell back on his pillow, lead.
Mercy was overwhelmed by her great
loss.
when she had seen her father laid to
est IN the little cemetery on the ridge.
The knew no kindred nor friend IN the
vide world.
She went bacI to the Woodman's
iotel, and was expeGLed ttfs +
hat kind of work, she often aroused the
wrath of the severely practical Mrs.
)riscol.
The landlady had daughter named
Beatrice, but the name had dcgenerated
n common usage to Beat She was a
ed checked. loudvoiced romp, and
when any mischief was done, which fire..
luently happened. she did not scruple to
ay the blame upon Mercy. So Mrs.
Driscoll's sceptre OF power, in the shane
u broad black strap, often descended
lnjustly on Mercy's shoulders.
But soon the landlady learned to dis.
lnguIsh sometimes between the occa
ions when Mercy was innocent and
when she was really to blame. When
he fault was hers she would tearfully
cknowledge it, and await with folded
lands and downcast eyes any punish
nent that Mrs. Driscol saw lit to infict:
ut when falsely accused By the whin;nr
'eat, she always preserved watchful
Hence. neither explaining nor denying.
n.! she say sRf SsEsR s takSe kiienen a9wn from
Then, If possible, she would fy out Of
he house, through door or window, like
gazelIe, flee to II huge oak-tree which
lood on the ridge above the hotel. and
sccnd into its breezy top with marvel.
us agility. W.
'nc day Mercy found in her pocLe
ne letter that her father had given 70
err she had forgotten it. It was nj. .
ressed: "' "u-
Mrs. FLORENCE DuPERU,
NO. - Van Ness ayenuc
CT SAN FRANCISCO.
one mailed the letter. Mrs. Duperu {
'd been in San Francisco for some !
eeks, but soon after Jar,,,;u,. -. | ~