Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-10-06
A MEXICAN SEXTON.


ness for cemeteries was architectural Ia
the 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" a name
and date. His favorite walk of Sunday,
when at 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 a visit
TO cemetery would cure him Of the blues,
not give him a fit of them. He had never
seen Mexican one, so when an oppor-
tunity presented itself he took advantage
of It.
He had gone with a party of magnates
to Mexico tn their special car as stenog-
rapher. Being liable to be called on at
any moment he always carried with him
his notebook and several well sharp
ened pencils. This had got to be such a
habit with him that he took his notebook
with him to theaters, weddings, toehurch.
When he went on a trip with his employer
he carried another extra in the shape of
what looked like tourists field glasses In a
leather case, hanging from the shoulder
by leather strap. 1t held a flask and
three silver cups, and on this occasion con-
tanned cognac. 1t was fad of his en-
ployer's, who disliked to see whisky or
brandy bottles around, but who, when he
wanted a nip, wanted it then and there.
Arthur's opportunity to see a Mexican
cemetery occurred ON their way down TO
the capital. They had their car cut off at
one of the towns and remained over one
day. His services not being needed, he
stroiled about the place and finally drifted
toward the cemetery.
IL was about the size of two of our city
blocks, inelosed by a wall some ten feet
high. The only living occupant Of the
place was an old Mexican potterine about,
hoe in hand, seemingly engaged In clean
ing the walks and graves from weeds. As
Arthur passed him be mechanically said
Good morning" and was somewhat
startled to have his salutation returned in
his own language.
Good morning, SIR. / speek English, ]
speek every language, every language have
to get buried sometime"
Are you the sextonp Arthur asked
him.
Il take care the grave, the grave I take
care long time. You speek SPANISH"
No" he answered.
"Ah, too very bad, Spanish a beautiful
language. You want to get somebody
buriedS"
"Oh, no; | 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 graves"
Then tell you. First translate To
memory of Juan ell Peon. BY a friend
Fifty-one year take care that grave"
Arthur looked duly astonished, as he
seemed to expect it. There was one strik-
ing feature about this grave, il was the
only one in the cemetery that had a head
stone. IL was of granite; a shaft, uncut,
untrimmed, unpublished, Just as it came
from quarry. On the face of it was some
lettering, not cut into the stone, rather
seratcbed-as If done by weak, unaccus-
toned hand.
Arthur looked at the old sexton, who
was regarding him attentively.
You want to hear story of graveY"
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 /
bis conversation wherever he possibly |
could the words "d-n" and by d-n," |
for the purpose seemingly of conveying a I
sharp impression of the essence and perfec-
ton Of his knowledge Of English.
This grave ffty-one year old. The man /
inside twenty year old. l suppose he same /
age now, by d-n. When he eighteen year
Of age, be became himself in love of the |
"A aarht Of he
dado, Don Marcos de la Vega. Very rich,
Don Marcos. Plenty mines, ranches, bull.
ocks, civilizations. Very high in the land.
Very kind hearted, merciful.
Poor Juan Peon, he get crazy for
Chonita de la Vega, very crazy. Don
Marcos very, by d-n, kind to him, he send
him away to the mines, but Juan he come
back every time. Every one know when
Juan back, he come and sing the Indian
song, The Love Of the Tree for the Sky
Very pretty song, very pretty, very much
tenor voice. Every 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 el Pe0n is singing THE Love of the
Tree Tor the Sky to Chonita Vega
Impossible to keep Juan away He
leave the mine, he leave the ranch, he
leave his mule, be come back and sing
that song Two year be, 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 peon. He do
nothing only sing every night.
"One night Don Marcos he call his may
ordomo, Don Miguel He say, Don Mig
nel, there Juan he sing again. got sore
EYE. tired that d-n same song. Go kill
him.
Don Miguel very honorable mayor
lomo. Very kind hearted, he never let
Juan know he going to kill him; he go be
liad him, by d-n, and cut his head I'm two
Ike colihor. Very kind hearted man,
Don Miguel. Juan never know be dead.
Next morning everybody know Juan
cad Everybody talk. Byd--n Don Mar
'os he says