Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-07
SEXTON GARCIA.

MEXICAN capital. lneir private car A<it1
been cut OF at town on the way the
day before. when leave Of absence had
been given TO Arthur. He had stroiled
about the old Mexican town and finally
made his way to the cemetery, where
he made the acquaintance of Sexton VIM
cente Garcia. who had told MIN yarns
for drinks, each yarn one drink. and had
entertained him as long is Arthur S flask
lasted with anecdotes Of certain dead
persons whose tombs he pointed out
Having another free day, Arthur went
Immediately to the cemetery. but not
finding Garcia there he went out on tile
road in search for possible place to
make inquiries. and seeing about block
off what looked like a grocery store he
went TO it and entered. There leaning
mp against the counter stood the sexton
talking away to the proprietor, who
paid seemingly but little attention to
him
Arthur on recognizing his acquaint-
ance of the day before approached and
sccosted him. Good morning. sexton.
All. valgaine Dios, good days, amigo.
trent" and the Mexican threw his arms
around Arthur, then took his hand and
shook it earnestly. ''How DIES do, trent:
I'm well" answered Arthur.
Take drink" quickly said the sexton:
then turning to the proprietor, ''Agame
favor dos capas' edo me the favor two
drinks'). but the latter shook his head
rba on al
He won't do it," said Garcia. 81
married his sister: he don't like me: yon
ask him
Deering put twenty-five cents on the
counter, and the sexton took both
drinks. as Arthur declined his. aud also
inadvertently Garcia pocketed the
change.
"Ah. trent. much dam pleasure to see
you. wonder all night bydain if see
you again. feel like father to you
Got eight bits?'
Whats that asked the American.
Eight reales. One dollar. you got
that?'
Il think So" answered Deering.
Give it me President Diaz give you
fine time: cost you thousand dollar. !
give it one dollar"
Il haven't any money to throw away,
said Arthur.
you want story, no, frent!'
Yes, you know that"
you starve for story and won't give
me dollar. Bydam one time give five
Thousand dollar for cross"
well, give me that story"
NO. you want me to give everything
you give nothing. got sickness, tisis.
You let Inc tell story and die. Medicine
cost two bits.
II didn't know that you were i'll, T." said
Arthur alphabetically: "here's quar-
ter; buy yourself medicine.
"Ah. trent. much thanks; You have
good. but dam slow heart. notice that
Yesterday. buy mescal; after while
you give me more money and buy medi-
cine. Now give story:
Thirty years ago. bydam, l very rich
merchant, plenty store. plenty business.
One time want to take S. 900 this town
to dam town over mountain. Diligence
go every day but every day thief take
diligence. Then think. take one
mule for me. one for money. Early in
the morning, 3 o'clock, leave store.
think to myself. if dam thief take dill
gence on road take me, too; so don't 80
road: find new way. Bydam big fool.
In five days lost. That very bad. Moth
ing to eat and plenty water. That make
sickness.
In memory of that sad occasion the
sexton took his third swig at the cup of
lnescal that Arthur's quarter had bought
him.
Then | think II | kill mule have
to walk. If kill other male no can
money. Then sit down and starve.
die every day for five days. Then two
man come. yell, Viva, viva, amigos.
give me mescal. give me food! One man
lie ask me. How long you hungry Isay
Two weeks bydam.' That think make
me very important. Abr he say. you
sanctified now. Go to sky sure and he
hit me on head with carbine. When
wake up | find two little sticks tied to-
gether like cross on my thin stomach.
No mule. no none, all gone bydam."
Garcia drained the last drop of mescal.
How you think get home? Fly? No;
rot no wings. walk home. Ha! ha! ha!
That good joke. You think | walk home
on my head? No. On my foots? Ha!
ha. ha. Two jokes; give me four bits.
Two jokes: that's cheap bydam.'
Say. look here, sexton" said Arthur,
you are trying to make fool of me.
After being starved for five days and
knocked on the head. how could you
walk. and if you knew the way, why
didn't you return before starving
Abr said Garcia quickly. you for
get had cross, and man with cross and
Lydam sanctified nearly a saint, and a
saint can do anything he dam like.
hold my cross in front and follow: that
take me home. Nou don't know Mexico.
trent Miracle here every day. You like
more miracle s.c,y?"
No." said Arthur decidedly: ''bnt
would like to learn something Of the
habits and customs and peculiarities Of
these people-their home life"
"Ah. life of domicile, got one Give
me dollar and | show you"
What do you want dollar for:'
asked Arthur. showing his irritation in
his voice.
Bread and cheese for aomicile," an
swered Garcia soberly. Ito take to sick
wife"
Well" said Arthur hesitatingly. "ali
right; here it is"
With this the Mexican bought two
bottles of inescal, piece OF cheese a, |
two small breads, on seeing winch Ar
thur frowned.
"AtIios. amigo" said Garcia, winking
to the proprietor: then motioning to Ar
thur, Come. trent" he stared down
the street with the latter, turned 2 cor