Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-11-09
SEXTON GARCIA.


England village and green as the hills in
June. was stenographer to railroad
magnate who was making q trip to the
Mexican capital. Their private car had
been cut off at town on the way the
day before, when leave of absence had
been given to Arthur. He had strolled
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 him yarns
for drinks, each yarn one drink, and had
entertained him as long as 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 the
road in search for a possible place to
make inquiries, and seeing about block
{ off what looked like grocery store he
went to it and entered. There leaning
up 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
accosted him, ''Good morning, sexton"
"Ah, valgame Dios,- good days, amigo,
sfrent," and the Mexican threw his arms
around Arthur, then took his hand and
shook it earnestly. sHow des do, frent?'
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.
The sections credit was exhausted.
HE won't do it, said Garcia. 81
married his sister: he don't like me; you
ask him."
.Deering put twenty-five cents on the
counter, and the sexton took both
drinks. as Arthur declined his, and also
inadvertently Garcia pocketed the
change.
,"Ah, trent, much dam pleasure to sec
you. wonder all night bydam if see
you again. | feel like father to you.
Got eight bits?"
.sWhats thaty' asked the American.
Eight reales. One dollar: you got
thatY' %
81 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"
j, .'Well, give me that story"
mo, you want me to give everything,
you give nothing. got sickness, tisis.
You let me tell story and die. Medicine
cost two Lits"
81 didn't know that you were i'll, said
Arthur apologetically; ..here's a quar-
ter: buy yourself medicine"
:'.Ah, trent. much thanks: you have
good, but dam slow heart. notice that
yesterday. l buy mescal; after while
you give me more money and buy medi-
cine. Now give story:
Thirty years ago, bydam, very rich
merchant, plenty store, plenty business.
One time want to take S. 1000 this town
todam town over mountain. Diligence
CD every day, but every day thief take
diligence Then think. take one
mule for me, one for money. Early in
the morning, 8 o'clock, leave store. ]
think to myself, IL dam thief take dill
gence on road, take me, too; sol don't go
road; find new way. Bydam l 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
mescal that Arthur's quarter had bought
him.
..Then l think. II | kill mule have
to walk. II | kill other mule no can
money. Then 1 sit down and starve.
Die every day for five days. Then two
man come. I yell, Viva, viva, amigos!
give me mescal, give me foodr One man
he ask me, How long you hungry Isay
Two weeks bydam.' That think make
me very important. AIR he say, you
sanctified now. Go to sky sure and he
hit Inc 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 bydani.
Garcia drained the last drop Of mescal.
How you think l-get home? Fly: No;
got no wings. walk home. Ha! ha! hal!
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 "A 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?"
s.Ahr said Garcia quickly, lyon for
get had cross. and man with cross and
bydam sanctifed nearly saint, and a
saint can do anything he dam like. l
hold my cross in front and follow; that
take me home. You don't know Mexico,
frent Miracle here every day. You like
more miracle story?"
mo" said Arthur decidedly; "but l
would like to learn something of the
habits and customs and peculiarities of
these people-their home life"
ssAh, life of domicilel l got one. Give
me dollar and l show you."
"What do you want dollar forr'
asked Arthur. showing his irritation in
his voice.
:."Bread and cheese for domicile," an
swered Garcia soberly. ito take to sick
WIFE"
..Well," said Arthur hesitatingly, "all
right; here it is"
With this the Mexican bought two
/. bottles of mescal, piece of cheese and
twosmall breads, on seeing which Ar
thur frowned
"Adios, amigo" said Garcia, winking
to fhe proprietor; then motioning to Ar
thur, "Come, frent," he started down
thesstreet with the latter, turned cor
ner. went two blocks more, then into
lane. where the sexton, stopping in front
Of. an open door, directed Arthur to en-