Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-09-22
A MEXICAN SEXTON.

Arthur During had Il grea5 fondncss for
visiting cemeteries. Not on account of
those that were buried there-they were
ont of sight, impersonal and conveyed no
distinct impression to his mind. His fond
ness for cemeteries was architectural in
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" name
and a date. His favorte walk of a 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 visit
10 cemetery would cure him of the blues,
not give him fit of them. lie had, never
seen a Mexican one, 50 when an oppor-
tunity presented itself he took advantage
of it.
He had gone with party of magnates
to Mexico in their special car as stenog
rapher. Being liable to he called on at
any moment he always carried with him
his notebook ana several well sharp
rned pencils. This had got to be such a
habit with him that he took his notebook
with him to theaters weddings, tochurch.
When he went on trip with his employer
lie carried another extra in the shape of
what looked like tourists field glasses ina
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 a fad Of his en-
plover's, who dislil1ed to see whisky or
brandy bottles around, but who when lie
wanted n nip, wanted it then and there.
Arthur's opportunity to see n Mexican
cemetery occurred on their way down to
the capital They had their car cut off at
one Of the towns and remained over ono
day. His services not being needed, he
strolled about the place and finally Grifted
toward the cemetery.
1t was about the size of two of our CITY
blocks, inclOsed by a 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 English, I
speek every language, every language have
10 get buried sometime"
Are YOU the seXton?" Arthur asked
him.
II take care the grave, the grave take
care long time. You speek SPANISH"
"No," he answered.
"Ah, too very bad, Spanish beautiful
language. You want to get somebody
bured?'
ooh, 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 grave"
eyes,
"Then tell you. First translate. Ito
memory of Juan Fl Peon. BY n friend
Jifty-one year take care that grave"
Arthur looked duly nstonishcd, rs he
seemed to expect it. There was one stril-
ing feature about this grave, it was the
only one in the cemetery that had a head
stone. It was of granite; a shaft uncut
untrmmcd, unpublished, just as it came
from quarry. On the face of it was some
lettering, not cut into the stone, rather
scrgtched-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 grave9"
eyes, if you please" Arthur answered.
you got ten centsy 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"
'' ' ''' 49,. ~
Door anu put down what he sand The
mexican haa one pecuharity' lie put INTO
ms conversation wherever he possibly
could the words 'd-h and by d-n'"
Tor thr purpose seemingly OF conveying IA
sharp impression of the essence and perfec-
ton of his knowledge Of English.
ms grave li'y-one year Old. The man
INSIDE twenty year oia' suppose ne same
age now py IN Mheh ne eighteen year
o. age, ne became became hliliSeh 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
ocks' CIVILIZATIONS Very high in the land.
Very KIND hearted, merciful.
Poor Juan Peon, he get crazy for
Chonlta de ia vega. very crazy. Don
Marcos very 10y d-n, Kind TO him, he send
nm away to the mines but Juan he come
back every ume' Every one know when