The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-12
A MEXICAN SEXTON.

out of sight imperSonal and convened no
distinct impression to his mind His fond
ness for cemeteries was architectural in
tho main and speculative in part He was
fascinated by the thought that so many
millions of people had lived and left no
trace but sacred to the memory" name
and date. His fuvorite walk of n Sunday,
when Mt home, was in the large cemeteries
contiguous to the town he lived in His
mind was perfectly healthy; there was
nothing morbid about him; in fact visit
to cemetery would cure him of the blues
not give him fit of them. He had never
seen Mexican one, so when an oppor-
tunity presented itself lie took advantage
OF it.
Hc had gone with party of magnatcs
to Mexico in their special car as a stenog-
raphcr. Being liable to be called on ut
any moment he always carried with him
his notebook and several we'll sharp-
ened pencils. This had got to be such n
habit with him that he took his notebook
with him to theatcrs, weddings, tochurch.
When he went Oh Il trip with his employer
he carried another extra in the shape of
what looked like tourists field glasses in
leather case, hanging from the shoulder
by leather strap. 1t held n flask and
three silver cups. and on this occasion con-
tanned cognac. 1t was fad of his en-
ploycr's, who disliked to see whisky or
brandy bottles around, but who, when he
wanted nip, wanted it then and there
Arthur's opportunity to see Il Mexican
cemetery occurred OH their way down to
the capital. They had their car cut off Il,
one of the towns and remained over op4
day. His services not being needed, ho
strolled about the place and finally drifted
toward the cemetery.
1t was about the size of two of our CITY
blocks, inclosed by wall some ten feet
high. The only living occupant of the
place was an old Mexican pottering about,
hoe In hand, seemingly engaged in clean
ing the walks and graves from weeds. AS
Arthur passed him he mechanically said
Good morning." and was somewhat
startled to have his salutation returned in
his own language.
Good morning, sir. speek Englesh I
speek every language, every language have
TO get buried sometime"
Arc yc1 the scxton?" Arthur asked
him.
IL take care the grave, the grave take
care long time. You speek SPANISH"
NO" he answered
"Ah, too very bad. Spanish n beautiful
language. You want to get somebody
buried?"
"Oh, no; 1 only walked in here out of
curiosity. That's curious headstone,"
Arthur said, pointing to one near which
which they were standing.
"Of truth, yes. You like to hear story
of that graye?"
"Yesh
"Then tell you. First translate ITO
memory Of Juan ell Peon. BY friend
Fifty-one year take care that grave"
Arthur locked duly astonished, rs he
seemed to expect it. There was one strk-
ing feature about this grave, it was the
only one in the cemetery that had head
stone 1t was of granite; IL Shaft, uncut,
untrmmed, unpublished, just as it came
from a quarry. On the face of it was some
lettering, not cut into the stone, rather
scratchcd-as if done by Il weak, unaccus-
toned hand.
Arthur looked at the old sexton, who
was regarding him attentively
You want to hear story of grave?'
"Yes, if you please" Arthur answered.
You got ten cents? The authority make
me collect ten cents from every one who
come in, to bury the poor who cannot bury
himself. Thank you. Now, listen me-"
Mechanically Arthur took out his note
book and put down what he said. The
Mexican had one popularity. He put into
his conversation wherever he possibly
could the words "d-n' and by d-n.n
for tile purpose seemingly OF conveying u
sharp impression of the essence and perfec-
ton of his knowledge of English.
This grave fifty-one year old. The man
inside twenty year old | suppose he same
age now. by d-n. When he eighteen year
of age, he became himself in love of the
dear d-n daughter of the great hacien-
dado, Don Marcos de la Vega. Very rich,
Don Marcos. Plenty mines ranches, bull
ocEs, civilizations. Very high in the land.
Very kind hearted merciful
Poor Juan peon. he get crazy for
Chonita de In Vega, very crazy. Don
Marcos very. 10y d-Ai, kind to him, he send
him away to the I.liues, but Juan he come
back every time. Every one know when
Juan back, lie cone and sing the Indian
song. The Love OF the Tree for the Sky
Very pretty song. very pretty, very much
tenor voice. .'gery night he sing it. In
front OF the house every night when every
body go TO bed he sing the song. Very
strong tenor voice. Powerful. Every
body know when Juan back, they say
Juan ell Peon is singing The Love of the
Tree for the SKY" to Chonita Vega
Impossible to keep Juan away He
leave the mine, he leave the ranch, he
leave his mule, he come back and sing
that song. Two year he, by d-n, sing that
song. He never speak to Chonita. When
he see her coming he kneel down and look
at the earth. Very polite pcon. lie do
nothing only sing every night.
"One night Don Marcos he cal! his may
ordomo, Don Miguel. He say, Don Mig
uel there Juan he sing again. | got sore
eye / tired that d--n same song. Go Kill
him.
don Miguel very honorable mayor
domo Very kind hearted, hc never let
Juan know he going To Kill him; he go be-
hind him, 10y d-n, and cnt his mead ia two
like coIiilor. Very liuG hearted man,
Don Miguel. Juan urvcr know !c dead