The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-02-22


then-it is six years-Juan Nepomu-
ceno will hear no mention of Elena or
of the Americans"
Pablo Melendez wagged his head.
"Que lastinpG! what a pity!"
"Yes," went on Quintana, "and
pity for the town, too. This new COM
pany to put in water works would not
only bring us water good and cheap,
but they would spend much money
and employ some thousand peons-
think OF that, in these hard times! But.
our state laws require for this the con-
sent of the Jefe Poz5tico, and Juan
'Cheno will not give it, for the empire
just been re-elected"--t with naive
procession begins"
Most of the guests had formed in
double file, and, bearing lighted can
dies, they marched through the rooms
and corridors, singing chants, inton-
pausing to ask for posada Qodgings)
halts of the holy family, seeking shell
ter in Bethlehem of Judea. The un-
comfortably stout among the matrons
remained seated, to represent the posa-
deros. Presently the cura gave his
blessing, chat the march might not be
prolonged to fatigue, and SO interfere
with the subsequent dancing.
AS the chosen one started to lay the
babe's image in the manger, there was
stir, whispering, and tittering among
the servants hanging about the court
yard for peeps through the doors.
Than mo tho o1ir-c1oI1 of 1inbt hT1t
decided little steps, and a child en-
years old. She carried herself with
and simply. Her face was very fair,
and her long hair was light, but her
eyes-"Son ojos del pals" ("They are
the eyes of the country"), said they
who looked upon her.
"Senor," she said, very plainly and
clearly, "I knocked, and your portero
wished not to let me come in, but
would! And the people in the patio
made them let me pass to the said
they were but servants, and | knew
their master would let me rest here
is it not so, senorP-until Mamacita
and Papacito come to find me. Icame
out of the hotel to see the toy-sellers,
and l lost me, and am very tired and
sleepy"
'The precious child!" ga little
seraph!" "And she has come TO seek
posGdd, like the Santa Nipo!" cried the
ladies, moved fairly to tears by the
little stranger. Childlike, she swerved
aside, to the waxen image, and touched
it gently.
at is not-I thought it was real
baby, but-oh! I knowi it is the Holy
Child! Why! why! he was tired, too,
and there was no house for him. But"
she turned back to Don Juan Nepo-
muceno with sweetest confidence
"you will take care of me, for my Mann
acita-no. senor?"
"Of truth, then, / will, mi Gl1nG-
my soul!" said the old cabalEero; by
this only he in the room had not seen
that the artless face of the child was a
lovable replica of his own stern feat
ures; "but, to find thy parents tell
me thy name!"
"Oh, they will find me! But my
name is Juana Nepomucena Lincoln y
Mata"-she added her mothers to her
fathers surname in real Spanish fash
ion.
Don Juan Nepomuceno gasped. II
knew not there was child" he said
to himself, "and they have given her
my name!"
The iron-mailed hand on the great
street door changed on the buckler
that was its knocker. A moment later
a voice spoke in the patio, in excellent
Spanish, but with strong foreign &C
cent.
"Oh, Senor Arriaga! am glad you
chance to be in the court-you will
kindly bear my message, and spare
my entering to intrude on Senor
Mata? The gendarme on the corner
told me he saw my little daughter
wander in here. We came to the port
again to take ship tomorrow and the
child slipped away from the hotel-we
have twenty men out searching
wife is frantic with distress and dread.
VIII you kindly bring the little one
out to meP"
Don Juan Nepomunceno strobe to
the sala's door: Carlos Lincoln, you
took my child from me, and yours has
brought her back again. Go quick
and fetch your wife. Your little grip
the old man looked down fondly at
the child nestled in his arms-"has
found her posada-her true and right
full lodging!"-K II. Addis, IN San
francisco Argo1Gut.