Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-30
Written for Ths EvsninR star.
A JUDGMENT.
Dramatic Ending of Trisfka Mexsro-.rh,

dramatic Ending of TrisfNkn Mexico--The
Gardeners Story Verified.
These were the facts in the case. but they
were considerably distorted in subsequent re-
latiou:
IL was very late at night, hot still night.
such As comes during the dry season through
SO many OK tae minor valleys Of cid Mexico.
The moon was setting low behind Senior Garcia 8
hacienda. which was of the prevailing low.
fat-roofed adobe style, built around three sides
OF an open court, in whose center little foun-
tain niurmured very soft and lAzily as its over
how slid quietly down through ,hc old sand
stone waterway TO the big asoeqGia that watered
the garden below. Now and then over
the low walls came puffs of hot breeze from
the heated country outside, disabling ihe scat
tered spray from the heated fagstones of the
court and bearing it on down the long, still
garden 10 the thirsty, cicse-set roses and holly
hooks, over which the pale Jasmine hung N
heavy garlands- 1t also lplled to a deeper
siumoer the llght-clad forms OF the old gardener
anu his stalw;rt son swinging IN their ham
mocks beneath the ycranGs of the little adobe
lodge Ia the angle of the low wall
but 1t did not stop the heodtal ear OF the
younger man 20 the cushioned beat Of hoofs in
the deep aust OF the road outside. and as they
halted farther on toward the house he turned
alId listened. Then there was light step on
the dry twigs sitnin the wall and the sound of
ioosened earth crumbhng down into the siill
water of the ascequia as some spranc across
and rus;led through the hollis hooks toward the
open slde Of the court beyond
Motouing his father for quiet, tho younger
man slipped to the ground. and crept slow and
silently along the grsyelel walk toward the
house. Tie winding alley brought him out o;
the shrubbery near the corner OF the house, and
~ hrraa
from his eyes, DC stood just IN she path of two
hgures hurryILS from WITHIN the court toward
a Tow space ia the garden wall beyond.
10 his quick ''Que qUerer W. the figure in a
long black domino replied by a frightened
scream and darted back toward the house, aud
the Other ms,tering 'B.osy DIabIto" would
have sprung last when the sinewy grip that
closed on his ireast pinned hum back against
the house.
There was struggle and then fash with a
pinulng ciouC Of smoke. The grip relaxed
and the muscular frame sank a uuIvering
heap upon tac ground. Then there was d
irenzIed cry from the shrubbrry. and, spring.
Ing from the bushes Old Manuello dropped
tee shining nachette from has hand and
threw himself weeping on the body OF his son.
The little low-ceiied room at the Taberno SaI
Antonio, whers the old white-halred alcaldt
held an almost patriarcnai court of Justice, Wa.
packed with a silent crowd gathered 20 hea,
Tor which one nan had already paid the pen.
atty Of his HE without process OF law ard fol
which another was now on t-ial and probably
soon TO be Convicted. The elite of all ia,
nelSEboring ranchos were there, dark
eyed beaulies, shrouded in black lace mantills a,
and exchanging opinions and chocolates be
Meath arched fans, while their sterner cav
alters In flowing trousers split TO the knee anC
short-waisted Jackets stiff with bullion lace
tcod ranged Ia the space around the wall with
carelessiy folded arms or tanning themseIyei
slowly with broad white sombreros The al
WAS not and still, even the little sluggish al
that might have crept in from the glarin,
piazs being slut oil by the eager crowd o
poems and lesser folk outside the open window
strsining to catch the fate of their conrade a
the bar
Witnesses there were few. bu. effective. Tn
first was the BEAUTIFUL daughter of old Seno
Garcia, and this was her story: She had beei
lying awake on the night OF the robbery, 70
the day had been very hot, swinging slowIl
In her hammock to catch the little breeze tina
| stirred from tie garden outside. Suddenly
shadow passed the window, which happily wa
barred, and then she fanced a footstel
sounded on the veranda. She would hav
called her Eaid, who was sleeping il
the adjoining corridor, but as all agail
was still she waited, and had aimos
dropped asleep, when tue door was noise
lessly forced and q barefooted figure tina
she recognizedas the gardener, peon OF he
fathers, STOOD here with cleaning machett
in has hand. Too terrified TO heed ms sign 70
silence she shreked aloua. With gesture o
taSe he seemed about TO hurl the weapon a
aer, but then, farming, sprang from the We
| randa and disappeared. An instant later pts
tol shot rang OUT, and she knew no more, 70
she tainted, but her maid. rushing IN, saw frou
the open door their preserver, young Seno
Desidarlo, standing over the body Of the wretch
holding the fellows accompIce Ut bay with
| revolver.
The opportuR. presence of the young seno
was explained b. hs own story. de had jus
halted his horse at the outer wall of Seno
GARCIA s EacIen la, for what reason the guita
at his saddle bow sllhc!ently showed. when, {
his sudden horror. ne heard the sound OF TIA
/ voice he knew 50 well rising in a terrific
! shrek. What was more natural than that b
should cast all o,her thoughts to the wind an
sprInging over the low wall rush to the rescue
| He was met by two figures rushing from tn
open court and one of them aimed at him
blow from a macEeIte. which was only parrie
by the swift shot from his revolver, whose fata
result he could hardly depiore. The othe
robber, cowed by the fate OF his companion
submitted. There he WAS; let ham say If Ia
had anything TO offer i'll his defense.
After such testimony there Was a murmur o
| almost derision when the old gardener, weepln,
and hesi;ating, ventured TO give his utterl,
different version of the affair and despairlngl,
stopping at the end, crossed himself an
prayed the blessed virgin to judge between
| himself aud his accusers. Then, gainiu,
! courage, he raised his bent form aud with
piercing look al the other witness challenge
| him to do the same. ...
The hush deepened, if possible, upon tn,
room, many an older spectator rememberin
when such a node OF proof was commone
| than now.
For an instant the younger man hesitate
and then with a notion OF Impotence at sncI
child's play stepped TO the bar and raisIn
his right hand exclaimed impetuously, ION m
head be it If there is anghi of falsehood IN IA
words," aud at the same time his other han
sought the cover of the heavy Bible on til
stand before him The gesture started bi
blue fly that WAS creeping sluggishly across til
polished mahogany. just IN time for il to escap
the spring of black hairy tarantuia that ha
been stalking it from the shadow of the book
and the same spring fastened the VeRomou
insect on the outsretched hand.
With cry OF terror Desidsrio staggere,
back and the old man before him folded hi
arms saying simply "a Judgment" while froI
the watching crowd there burst a low Amen!