The herald., 1896-02-16
UNDER THE SYCAMORE
BY ROSE L. ELLERBE


face, bent shoulders AMI uneven gait
OF this old prospsctor walked slowly
along road which wound through one
OF the valleys of the San Bsrnsrdino
mountains. He seemed to feel the in
tense heat more than AN old Californian
should, for the genuine "old-timer"
loves the heat like Salamander, but
this man frequently paused to wipe t he
Precipitation from his facs and to lift
his old som brero as il to catcn COOL
ing breeze-a vain hope-for the air
seemed baked. When he cams oppo-
site the clump Of sycamores which
stood-which still stands back lit.
tie from the ros1, he went over to
them. There were three or four old
trees, gnarled and distorted as though
by Some terrible inward convulsion-a
group of young trees, tall and straight
and prim, aud about their feet growth
of shoots. making delightful GOODNESS
and greenness in the midst of the sur
rounding brownness and heat. The old
man sank down in the shade with a
sigh of relief and, removing his hat,
leaned against tree to rest. After
awhile he ate lunch. which he took
from his pack. He had black bottle,
too, from which he took long draughts.
When he had refreshed himself he
rose and carefully inspected his sur
roundings, peering up and down the
road and in every direction about him.
When he was satisfied that there was
no one in sight, he went back to his
nook and, after some fumbliug, DIRE "
out buckskin sack. Spreading his
red bsndsna upon the ground he
poured into it heap OF shining coins
and began laboriously to count them.
He made little piles Of them and went
somewhat confused in his mind-per-
haps by the contents of the bottle.
But the old mans sight was not so
failed to see young Mexican who had
been coming down little canyon
which opened into the valley almost
opposite the trees. But the young man
had seen the stranger and had at once
determined to find out why he eXer-
cised such caution. With the stealthy
tread of cat he crept up to the syca-
mores, and the old man absorbed in
trying to determine whether his gold
wss all there, muttered to himself and
heard nothing. The Mexican, carefully
parting the leaves, peeped through and
caught sight Of the gold. A CLEAN of
passion fl Ashed into his eyes and, stoop-
ing, he picked up stone which lay
near; still the unconscious man count
ed and muttered. The Mexican raised
his stone once and let it fall again,
while he cautiously glanced about him.
There was no living thing in sight ex-
cept the hummiug birds darting about
overhead and twittering uneasily at
being so disturbed. Then, as the miner
began to replace the gold in
the bag the young man again
raised the stone and brought it down
with force upon the bent head. The
old man reeled, and then settled back
against the tree, and his asssilsnt
stopped to gather up the booty. As
he bent forward he gave one glance at
his victims face and saw the light fad
ing out Of it. With another keen
glance about him he stopped over and
gently pushed the old man into re-
clining position. Then he lifted the
hat and carefully examined the head.
There was no mark or wound, and with
q satisfied air he replaced the hat.
placed the handkerchief in one of the
pockets and quietly walked away. He
stepped cautiously until he reached
the "wash" which came down from the
little canyon. There was no danger of
leaving tracks in that rush of stones
and gravel, from which every vestige
of sand and soil had long since been
swept, and he walked rapidly up the
'wash" until he came to a spring from
which path led up the hill to an old
adobe house ov,r which great pepper
tree dropped as If trying to hide its
and poverty.
The boy-for he was but q boy
sprang up this path and rushing
the door, closed it behind him
and sank into chair, trembling and
painting. A woman who had been sew.
ing 10 the room, arose crying in fright,
"What is the matter, Mauusl? What
has happened? The young man hesi-
tated and did not answer at first, bnt
prese ltly he asked eagerly, Mother,
do you want to 60 back to Sonora?
and see your old home-and your
she still lives?" Why do
you ask that, Manuel" she replied sad
ly, "you know that it will never be-"
"Yes," he went on quickly, "it can be,
mother-we can go-right away; we
can start todsy-this afternoon. What
will you take? Can you go into the
with ma for few days?"
She caught him by the shoulder, "what
is the matter, Manuel? What have you
done, MANUEL" Hush" he whispered,
and drawing out the boy he shook it
and poure part of the contents into
his hand. "See," he cried exultingly,"
can We not go to Sonora now?"
"For the love of God, Manuel" she
gasped, "where did you get it," Re-
luctant1y he told his story, and the
mother listened with little cries of
horror. "And you killed him,
Manuel?" she moaned at the end; 'you
killed him--t lessed Virgin help US
you will be hung
II didn't kill him." asserted the lad
with vehemence, II oaly struck him
once with stone; he isn't hurt; he is
only stunned; and no one saw me do
it; he didn't see me himself"
Manuel" she cried, Manuel, my
son, take the money back; let me 20
and give it back to him; it will only
bring trouble; it will be your death, or
you will be sent to prison"
Again he went over his defense;there
was no danger, and once in the noun
tains, he could easily escape. But she
pleaded with tears, Have you forgot
ten JOSEF she asked 'Give it back.
Manuel, the Holy Mother will forgive
the sin il you will take it back" "No."
ha ana wered passionstaI- uT ,,;II ~