The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-12-24

antique coins. But knew we'll enough
that most of their time was spent in their
grass hammocks swung under the silk cot
tons and that precious little digging they
did unless their spies announced my COM
ing down from the hill. Then there was
great activity, and the old forest surround
ed ruins became the scene of lively labors.
But as they exacted daily wage each of
only 40 cents and were quite content so
long as did not hurry them, cannot say
that we were not mutually satisfied.
Christmas morning opened clear and
cool. The air was sweet, laden with heavy
odors of frangipani and magnolia, and
the cicadB in the trees were tuning their
winged instruments premonitory to heat
song at midday. I walked to the chapel
on the brow of the hill and was reveling
in the magnificent scene spread out be-
low when the priest came out and warmly
greeted me. There would be special
service at noon he informed me, but in the
afternoon we would take little "paseo.
One of his parishioners, the owner of a
rancho, had invited him and his house
Notwithstanding of course, his guest-to
come over and join him in an old fashioned
san-cocho. And you must CO. my friend,
for there you will obtain a glimpse Of
some queer Cuban customs.
1 thanked him for the invitation and
then asked: "But what is a san-cochos
have never seen the word in the diction-
ary."
"True," he answered, with twinkle in
his eye 1.-THE word isn't in the dictionary,
but-well, no matter. will not explain
You shall go with us and see for yourself
Do not linger too long at the ruins today.
In fact, I am of opinion that your laborers
will not even do their daily task, since this
Is Christmas day, you know"
"You are right, rejoined. "Of course
they will not work today. Then, with
your permission, will return to the house
and assist the ladies at their preparations. -"
go, my son." he said, with a wave of
his white hands, as in benediction, land
may God guard thee. have my duties in
the chapel, after performing which will
join you
Early in the afternoon two solemn Wis
aged donkeys were brought to the door of
the PADRES hut, having on their backs
| enormous saddles of straw, which over
hung them as the caves of matched cot
| tage overhang the walls Upon these safe
and sanctimonious animals were soon
mounted Senorita Laurita, the sister OF
! the priest, and Senorita Valdemiras, the
| young lady from across the way. AS they
| left the door two fiery steeds were brought
up, upon whose backs the priest and my.
self vaulted airily and then darted after the
donkeys These we soon overlook, and, by
very natural arrangement, dropped
alongside the ladies. Valdemiras was dark
of skin, but perfect odalisque for beauty
with raven tresses and flashing black orbs
like liquid fire, except that they were per
petually melting into dewy languorous
ness-in their depths such passions slum
boring! All, if the good bishops who ban
ished the padre to this desert spot coul6
| have known of Valdemiras- they
( just wouldn't have done it, am thinking
don't know what the padre though,
about it, for he never told me, but it seem
ed to me that Valdemiras had him secure
" enmeshed in those long, silken tresses
had scared his soul, the bishops might have
said, with those fiery glances. To be sure
as said before, it was no business o.
mine Besides there was the fair Laurita
Her brothers absorption in his charme1
only gave me an excellent opportunity fo1
! becoming better acquainted with her owl
lovely character. She was most certainl,
a girl of wit and beauty, fair and sweet be
yond any dream of dismal celibate, and
since was the only available man in tn
party, was that afternoon particularly gra
cious and approachable.
We arrived at the rancho in high spirits
and while the ladies were taken by the pro
prietor's wife to an inner room of tn
house, where they might rearrange thei
blue black tresses and dab fresh coat o
powder on their cheeks, the padre and
wandered about the premises The hous
consisted of the ordinary 'bohio,'' or ma
tive hut of split palm logs, covered witt
bark. There were three rooms, all on tn
ground floor, which was of clay. Til
three rooms were open at the top clear t
the roof, low partitions separating them
the cartral one being used for lying AM