Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-03-04
r,ose aurazo ano ten1er vot,,a ;, :

cIose aprazo ana tender wofds u .a1o-
we'll
Don Tiburcio journeyed to the pueblo
without adventure or mishap. Two
amigos viejos, apprised Of his arrival by
one of his household servants, dined
with him al fresco, and as they smoked
their cigaritos under the shadow of the
orange trees, California IS position in the
present struggle between Mexico and
Los Estados was discussed with great
warmth. At length, when the lateness
of the hour penetrated the consciousness
of their heated spirits, the two friends
arose, and with the formal courtesy
which the closest intimacy never alters,
bade their host "buenas noches, Don
Tiburcio, voya V'd con Dios manana''
(Good night, Don Tiburcio, God be
with you tomorrow"). He had not dis
closed, even to these two tried and true
old friends, tho object of his visit to the
pueblo.
In that darkest hour before the dawn,
when all his household slumbered, Don
Tiburcio arose, listened for moment,
and finding all still crept cautiously out
into the wide hall Of the house. Noise
lessly drawing the bolt of the outer door,
he glided around the east corner of the
house to the servants quarters. Here
again all was still, save for the occa-
sional mutterings of the sleepers within.
''Domingo!" whispered Don Tiburcio,
and out of the darkness a tall figure
arose and stole silently toward him.
With no further word or sign the two
passed away toward the stables. Here
Domingo drew out cumbro four
wheeled "carreta del pais," which roll
ed out with dismal creakings. Hurried
ly oiling the numbering vehicle, so that
its complainings were instantly hushed,
he yoked to it pair Of we'll fed, slow
moving oxen. Then, always with quick,
gliding motions, he saddled Don I'll
burcio's horse, and just as the day was
lighting up the crown of Ell Viejo Calvo,
master and servant passed out Of the
great gate, the master astride his favor
ite horse Paloma, his Indian attendant
walking beside the cumbrous carreta,
which contained, besides large metal
box, with strong brass clasps, pickaxes
and shovels of various sizes and degrees
of strength.
Slowly they wended their way toward
the Rancho do San Jose, and as they
rode the golden glory Of the day gilded
the crests of the Sierra Madre. Rever-
emily Don Tiburcio raised his broad
sombrero, and the silent but observant
Indian clasped his arms and dropped his
head upon his breast. The oxen stood
still. With his eyes upon the glory
crowned sierra, Don Tiburcio chanted
his morning prayer of praise and thanks
giving, to which the Indian added a
low toned amen, and, quietly laying his
hand upon the nearest Of the oxen they
resumed their slow journey.
The sun rose high in the heavens, the
purple canyons of the still distant noun
tains grew hazy with the day S heat, and
the long line Of hills to the south grew
faint and indistinct Slowly, slowly the
sun passed over their heads and sank
down below the level horizon. A cool
breeze came lightly toward them. The
glow of the sunset died, and the dusk,
like mist, softly fell and wrapped
them within impalpable, invisible folds,
through which the light breeze foated
like the touch Of q spirit that wanders-4
In silence they journeyed, the Indian
moving like a shadow beside the slow
rolling carreta, while the stars flung
down a soft white light like the CLEAN
of the blooms in the orange groves. The
Indian and the master, each in his own
way, felt the silent power Of the forces
of the night. Perhaps within the In
dams untutored soul it stirred the
wider depths of poetry. But he gave no
sign, only patiently guided the plodding
oxen.
The stars paled, and as the gray light
of another dawn lifted the shadowy
mists from the cornfelds and vineyards
Domingo and his master halted under
the old Encino del Tinaje. Here Domin
go's face took Oh its first expression Of
wonder, as Don Tiburcio said to him:
"Here, Domingo, take my horse, ride
on to Cucamonga, and bring back with
you fresh pair of oxen. -
With no further expression of his as
tonishment than that vague look of sur
prise, the Indian quietly mounted, lift
ed his hat and, with courteous "Adios,
senor," passed off to the northward,
where the mountains loomed up i'll dark
and splendid grandeur. Arriving at the
rancho he handed. over tho masters
horse to lounging Indian boy, quietly
ordered another to bring out the fresh
yoke of oxen, saying, "The carreta is
heavy and our oxen grew weary, and,
taking neither rest nor refreshment, set
out to meet his master. They met four
miles from the ranch, Gu the outskirts
of the wood. The Indians quick eye no
ticed that the shovels and pickaxes still
lay in the bottom of the carreta, but the
box had disappeared. But not one word
did he utter. He understood that Sc
cret rested between him and his master.
The leaves hung limp with heat, all
sounds were hushed save the dull thud
of the overripe figs falling to the ground
as they rode into the wide patio. The
Joyous clamor of welcome accorded the
master awakened Marianita from her
dreamful siesta, and with smiles, sweet
words and caresses she waited upon the
weary traveller, but, like the faithful In
dian servant, never questioned the OBJ
ject Of his journey.
X
The vineyards had yielded up their
purple fruits, and the struggling vines
were trailing their gold and crimson
banners on the ground. Great piles OF
pumpkins rose like golden thrones with
in the cobweboed alamazen, while
thrones of gold g.owed in the loft above,
where sunkissed apples were heaped
high. Here, in garlands and festoons Oh
chill peppers, tho autumn's royal colors
were hung aloft.
Don Tiburcio stood among a group OF
Indians without the open door OF sne
alamazen, from which came the SOUNDS
Of fun and laughter, where the merry
Indian boys and maidens were shucking
the ripened corn under the supervision
of old Ysidor.
Don Tiburcio stood before long.
rough table, upon which were several
pans and one large pail, with a huge