The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-14

Monterey danced every night and all
night of that week either at Alvarado's
or at the custom house, and every after
noon met at the races, the bull fight, a
merienda or to climb the creased pole,
catch the creased pig by its tail as it
ran or exhibit skill in horsemanship.
Chonita, at times an imperious coquette,
at others Indifferent, perverse or coy,
was la favorita without appeal, and
the girls alternately worshiped her-she
was abstractedly kind to them-or heart
lily wished her back in Santa Barbara
Estenega rarely attended the socialities,
being closeted with Alvarado and Castro
most of the time, and when he did she
avoided him if she could.
On the last night Of the festivities,
when the women, weary with the unu-
sually late hours of the past week, had
left the ballroom early and sought their
beds, and the men, being at loss for
other amusement, had gone in body to
saloon, there to drink and gamble and
set fire to each others curls and trousers
seats, the departmental junta met in Sc
cret session. The night was warm, the
plaza deserted. All who were not in the
saloon at the other end of the town were
asleep, and after the preliminary words
in Alvarados Office the junta picked up
their chairs and went forth to hold con-
clave where bulls and bears had fought
and the large indulgent moon gave
clearer light than adamantine candles.
They drew close together, and after
rolling the cigarito solemnly regarded
the sky for few moments without
speaking. Their purpose was a grave
one. They met TO try Pho Pico for con-
tempt of government and annoying in
sistence in behalf of his pet project to
remove the capital from Monterey to
Los Angeles, Jose Antonio Garlic and
Reinaldo Iturbi y Moncada for conspir-
acy, and General Vallejo for evil disposi-
tion and unwarrantable comments upon
the policy of the administration. None
OF the offenders was present
With the exception of Alvarado. Cas-
tro and Estenega, the members of the
Junta were men of middle age and rep
resented the talent of California-Ji-
memo, Gonzales, Arguello, Requena, Del
Valle-their dark, bearded faces, up-
turned TO the stars, made n striking set
of proiles, the effect somewhat marred |
by the silk handkerchiefs tied about
their heads.
Alvarado spoke finally, and after pre-
senting the charges in due form con-
tinued:
The individual enemy to the govern
ment is like the fly to the lion--it cannot
harm, but it can annoy. We must brush
away the fly as "a vindication of our dig
nifty and take precaution that he does
not return, even if we have to bend our
heads to tie his little legs. do not pur-
pose to be annoyed by these blistering
midgets we are met 10 consider, nor TO
have my term of administration spotted
with their gall. / leave it to you, my
compatriots and friends, to advise me
what is best to do"
Jimeno put his feet on tho side rung
OF Castro's chair, puffed large gray
cloud and half closed his eyes. He then
Tor three-quarters of an hour, in low.
musical voice, discoursed upon the dig
nifty ofvhe administration and the de-
pravity of the offenders When his
brethren were beginning TO drop their
heads and breathe heavily Alvarado po-
htely interrupted him and referred the
matter 10 Castro
"lmprison themr' exclaimed the i'm.
petuous general, suddenly alert with
such governor and such people this
should be land white rs the mountain
tops. unblemished by the tracks of mean
ambitions and sinful revolutions. Let
us be summary. although not cruel
Let no mans blood flow while there are
prisons IN the CALIFORNIA;; but we must
pluck up the roots OF conspiracy and
disquiet, lest thousand suckers grow
about Them, as about the half cut trunks
OF our redwood trees. and our Califor.
Mas be no better than any degenerate
country Of the Old World. Let ms cast
them into prison without further de-
bate"
The law. my dear Jose. gives them a
trial." drawleh Gonzales And then