Arizona republican., 1892-11-20
SEXTON GARCIA.


 magnate who was making trip to the Mexican capital. Their private car had been cut off at a 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 touibs 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 of 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 frent," and the Mexican threw his arms around Arthur, then took his hand and shook it earnestly. "How des do, frent?"
 "rm well" answered Arthur.
 Take drink" quickly said the sexton; then turning to the proprietor, "Agame favor dos capas" ("Do me the favor two drinks''D but the latter shook his head. The sexton's credit was exhausted.
 "He won't do it." said Garcia. q 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
 An, frent, much dam pleasure to see you wonder all night bydam if l see you again. 1 feel like father to you. Got eight bitsy". [.
 What's thaty" asked the American.
 Eight reales One dollar: you got thaty'
 'l think SO. answered Deering.
 Give it me. President Diaz give you fine time cost you thousand dollar. give 1t one dollar"
 "l haven't any money to othrow 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 ogive everything you give nothing got sickness, tisis. You let me tell story and die Medicine cost two bits
 "l didn't know that you were ill, "said Arthur apologetically; there's quar- ter; buy yourself medicine"
 An frent. much thanks; you have good. but dam slow heart. notice that yesterday. 1 buy mescal; after while you give me more money and buy medi- cine. Now 1 give story:
 Thirty years ago, bydam, very rich merchant, plenty store, plenty business. One time want to take 8, 900 this town to dam town over mountain. Diligence go every day, but every day thief take diligence, Then l 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 dili- gence on road, take me, too; so l don't go road find new way. Bydam big fool. In five days lost. That very bad Noth- 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 1 think. If kill mule have to walk If kill other mule no can money. Then l sit down and starve. Die every day for five days. Then two man come. yell, Viva, viva, amigos! give me mescal, give me foodr One man he ask me, How long you hungryT lsay Two weeks bydam. That think make me very important 'Ahr he say, you sanctitied now. Go to sky sure, and he hit me on head with carbine. When wake up iind two little sticks tied to- gether like cross on my thin stomach No mule, no mone, all gone bydam."
 Garcia drained the last drop of mescal
 How you think get home? Fly? No; got no wings. 1 walk home. Hal hal hal That good jc&e. 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?"
 "Ahl' said Garcia quickly, "you for get had cross, and man with cross and bydam sanctiied nearly saint, and 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"
 No" said Arthur decidedly; "but would like to learn something of the habits and customs and peculiarities of fbeap ncopip.-t their home life "