The herald., 1896-04-12

+ST% ~
II Carlos had ever given the matter q
thought, he would. every day Of his life.
as he stretched himself on his well-beaten
straw, have blessed his patron saint for
permitting him 10 be born in the Fortunate
Isles.
Were the days rot almost perpetual sun
shine? and such sunshine as warmed the
bones and made life the luxury of the poor
as well as of the rich.
Could he net supply his wants with the
least imaginable expenditure of labor, and
was not Marinsha the prettiest girl in the
whole district. and would he not marry
Marinsha when she had earned enough to
support him and their family. and lastly,
herself in ease and comfort.
But the sunshine and Martnsba and his
happy prospects were all so much a matter
OF course to Carlos that he never dreamed
or blessing his patron saint, but only
stretched himself iuxurlously in his bed
and thought how good a thing life was and
who so fortunate as Marinsha,
Tho littlo whitewashed hut where Carlos
lived with his brothers and wltnered. old
round&houldcred mother. was far UP the hill
from the sea. with the land rolling in huge
good tempered pillows on every side. clothed
in black volcanic dus. and bound by acres
of vines.
Beyond it the mountain crest rose high in
the mist. its barren rugged peaks softened
and subdued by the magic of the atmos-
phcre.
Below was the blue of the sea. with the
While fiat roofs of Las Palmas just showing
over the lowcr slopes.
turtner on lay the Isleta. on the road to
which Carlos went each day to his work
or at least each day that ghostly ex-
chequer warned him OF approaching evil.
BY profession Carlos was a stone breaker,
but chiefly by profession
In practice he lived in genial way on his
mothers earnings, aided by a few peeetas
from Marinsha's store What did it matter?
was iI not all to be his some day: and il he
drew upon it premsturely, it only meant
the postponement of the wedding for a little
longer: and was that not as hard on him al
on Marinsha? for every one knew he loved
Marinsha and wanted to marry her as
soon as prudence would allow; but mean
while he must live. When these sources OF
supply failed he turned to his labor.
Miserable present after such beautiful
past! Yesterday there had been a fiesta and
Carlos had-with Marinshas money-treated
Marinsha to all tho delights of the town.
The marionettes that played under the
shadow Of the tall. gaunt cathedral. the
wonderful poodles that tumbled like clowns
ana shot at one another with real guns in
the booth beyond, and all the ecstacy of an
al fresco dinner at little round wooden
table behind an oleander in the corner of
the plaza. Oh, a delightful time. Marinsha
said 1t put off their marriage for at least d
month; but the wise Carlos knew you could
not be more than happy, and that happiness
was shy maid who pouted and hid herself
unless seized on the moment. So happy
they were to the highest pitch for five whole
hours, and until all Mlrinshas money was
spent. Then they climbed into an already
overcrowded coach bound across the island
with His Most Catholic Maiesty's scanty
mail, and Carlos paid both their fares with
merry words, songs, laughter and many
promises
Who could be angry with Carlos, he was
so gay and light mot ths coach
driver, who only smote him gently across
the shoulder with his whip and genially
cursed him for rogue driving on, laughing
tho whilc at the latest jest: Carlos was so
droll. MOI the other passengers, crowded
and hot as they were before even he. and
Marinsha pushed their way amongst them;
for had not Carlos made them forget the
heat and the dust: and did not the cheer
fulness die our of the day as they turned
the next corner and were bid behind the
aloe hedge with its softannei outline of lux,
uriant dusty bramblea while Carlos and
MarilGha stood in the middle Of the road,
waving fareWels,
Only Gius"~.a Molina, up in the eeat be-
side the driver; but then Giuseppe loved
Marnaha. 80 how could he find good in
Carlos. whom Marinsha loved? Naturally
ne hated Carlos, aud OF course some day
they would come to blows; after that. If
Giuseppe were only half so good fellow as
Carlos. they might be friends
But the fiesta Was past, and Carlos had
nothing but empty pockets; not even d
clarto to buy cigarettes-ah, the hateful
day!
A handful of maize ground into coarse
-four and then baked over the glowing
charcoal served Carlos for breakfast. His
dinner was square OF dark rye bread and
dozen of figs, together with a small skin
ful of red Piquette wine, acid enough, but
refreshing in the middle Of the day when
the almost tropic sun was at its strength
Such small skinful: it was a shame to
have killed so small o. kid
.The bread and fruit were carefully knotted
iitypSas gay crimson handkerchief, while the
1gln6s Skin was slung round the body by
strap at the waist.
Hanging the bundle over the head Of his
stone breakers hammer and resting it on
his shoulder. Carlos tramped slowly down
the black cinder-strewn byway leading to
the main road depressed and out of temper
with life.
But not for long; the fiutter Of a brown
wing from hedge to hedge, and the sudden
trl of song among the branches, was
like challenge. and he answered blthely
enough. shaming the bird with the changing
melody Of his whistle. All, the good day
that it was! even to live and be warm was
good. and was there not another fiesta in
three weeks time! Then he caught sight OF
the trim little house where Marinsha was
servant wench A cottage much like his
only surrounded by cactus plants.
with their fleshy arms carefully swathed
in dingy muslin. For Marinshas mistress
was a cochineal farmer. and Marinsha
worked not only indoors but also among
the insects and their curious grazing ground,
thus earning most of their money. for she
worked on shares. and the price Of the dye
was on the advance. Only three weeks
BY that Marinsha would have added 10 her
store. and he-yes, he would earn money,
too-two etas-three-perhaps dollar.
And the whistle broke into song, and all
the cares of labor We're forgotten as Carlos
sat down under the warm shelter of the
hedge to wait for the first passing cart to
save him the walk into Las Pamas
Of a cer.aiuty Christopher Columbus
must have touched at the Fortunate Isles
while on his long journey TO the unknown
" orld.
How else wo ild they have the same
blackboard so dear to New England hearts |
and SO trying to frail humanity?