Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-01-02

late you upon getting off with bullet
in your shoulder. You little knew what
You were doing in touching that mine. !"
81 have learned, however" said the
young man dryly. "It seems that it is
to all intents and purposes mine of
gunpowder as well as of silver. This |
must say for myself" he added, "that if
had had even the faintest idea of how
the bond of that mine had been ac-
quired should never have looked at it.
But, after having seen it, confess that
it is great disappointment to me to find
it out of my reach altogether"
"You thought it a good miner" asked
Dona Zarifa.
"The best have ever seen. If a man
could acquire it honorably he need ask
no better source of wealth."
"You speak very confidently" said
Padre Francisco. "Are you profession
ally judge of mines?"
Derwent shook his head. mo-" he
answered. 81 should not think of at
tempting to judge a mine for another
person, but l do not hesitate to judge
for myself, and it was for myself that
was anxious to buy the Buena Esper-
anza."
"Oh, you have come TO Mexico to seek
investments then%
81 have come to Mexico to find the
means to realize a fortune in a short
time" he answered.
"That is what all Americans desire to
do, believe" said Padre Francisco
meditatively-"to make a fortune in a
short time"
He did not utter any word of disap-
proval for such an aim, but something
in his tone, and certain look Of with
drawal that came over Dona Zarifa's
face-as if she lost interest in man who
avowed such an ambition-stung Der
went, and made him say, on an impulse:
81 have special reason for wishing
to make the fortune of which | speak
1t is not for myself-not merely for the
accumulation of money-but to pay a
debt of honor. If do not pay it others
will suffer. And that must not be if
any exertion on my part can prevent it. :"
1t was the first time that he had ut
tered even so much of his secret to any
human ear, and these people were
strangers to him. But he was repaid by
quick glance of sympathy from Zarifa's
eyes, while the priest said kindly: "In
that case, | hope you may soon find
another Buena Esperanza There are
many rich lodes in these mountains,
some of which are as yet untouched.
Now, my child" he spoke to the girl,
Il must really go on; but there is no
reason why you should not allow Senior
Derwent to rest himself fully and then
bring him with you"
"No, no." said Derwent, rising. II
cannot consent to detain the senorita,
for am really rested now. In this
wonderful climate | perceive that one
recuperates rapidly. am equal to ac-
companying you"
"Buenor said the padre, approvingly
"Then let us CO."
They left the pavilion, and Dona Zarifa
explained, as they crossed the pretty
stream, that a little lower it turned the
Touring mills of the hacienda, which,
Derwent found later, were the largest
in that part of the country and supplied
a wide district with their product.
"My father is very proud of his mills"
she said, "and will certainly insist on
taking you over them. He has all the
latest improvements. sometimes Won
der how he can maintain such keen in
terest in so many varied pursuits"
He is wonderful man, Don Mau-
rizio." said the priest. "His energy is
indomitable, and his interest in every
thing that can develop the country and
help the people is unfagging Now,
Senior Derwent, can you guess where we
are taking your"
Derwent confessed his inability to
hazard conjecture; for, skirting the
grounds, they now seemed approaching
village composed of neatly built adobe
houses, scrupulously clean both within
and without as almost all Mexican
houses are
This is where the laborers on the es-
tate live" said Padre Francisco. "There
are several hundred souls here; for the
industries of a great hacienda are very
numerous Everything which is con-
sumed and almost everything which is
worn is made upon it."
And is it true that all the poems on
the haciendas are virtual serfs-unable to
leave without the consent of their mas
ters| asked Derwent.
1t is true that, by the laws of Mexico,
no laborer can leave an estate so long as
he is in debt to his master. That is just
enough, and on it the stability of the in
dustries of the country depends. In all
countries, however, there are men who
do not fear to incur the vengeance of
God by becoming oppressors of the poor.
S1ch men take advantage of this law to
keep the poems in their debt, and so hold
them in virtual bondage. But no such
bondage exists at Mirahores. If la
borer who is in debt wishes to go, Don
Maurizio will cancel his debt rather than
keep with him one who is unwilling to
remain"
But such need rarely occurs" said
Dona Zarlfa. "Few of our people ever
wish to leave, and most Of them have
been born on the estatA We know them