Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-02-28
DON TIBURCIO'S TREASURE.

DON TIBURCI0'S TREASURE.
A proud descendant of proud old
race was Don Tiburcio Tapia. His
many servants and dependents found
in him kind but naughty master; his
many friends a chivarous, true
hearted gentleman. Like all his
wealthy neighbors, he was lord of vast
domains, and for one-half the year he
dispensed the free-handed hospitality
of those festive Spanish times within
the pueblo of Los Angeles; the other
half he spent in happy, quiet ease
among his olives and his vineyards ON
the beautiful ranch of Cucamonga,
named from the frowning sierra that
forms its northern boundary wall.
And here it is that on perfect June
morning of 1S45 we find him pacing
up and down the noble avenue of an
cient olives, his brows knit into an
anxious frown, his much-perturbed
spirit finding vent in an occasional low
mutter: "Americanos ladrones!"
''For many -eks vague rumors of
war had been waited upon the orange
scented breezes and the spirit of unrest
had invaded this paradise of peace. But
as yet it was only vague and underlined
feeling Of mistrust, and not even in
Don Tiburcio's own mind had it formed
itself into an actual and active pro-
test
But only this morning a dust-coy.
cred rider had flung the hateful words
to him which raised his ire and then
spurred his horse onward toward the
pueblo of Los Angeles.
"1'he Americanos have risen openly
against Gen. Castro. The flag of Mex
leo has been pulled down in the pueblo
of Sonoma and flag with an Oso floats
over the town."
Then the messenger had gone on to
paint the sceno in vivid, fiery language,
telling of the plumber of horses and
cattle and household goods, OF the in
dignities offered proud old gray-headed
6ons and their families and how some
of their "paisanos" had been led away
by the filibusters and imprisoned in
Suffers fort.
All of Don Tiburcio's angry spiri,
leaped to his eyes; the proud passion Of
hundred passionate ancestors rang in
The tones with which he uttered:
"Aiye, osos! demonios! Dios Dios
donde estas?" Gage, bears! demons.
God! God! where art Thou?"
And the messenger sped on with his
hateful message.
Now, an hour later, Tiburcio strides
up and down the Alameda de Olives, the
fires of hate still raging stormily with
in his breast. Suddenly all anger dies
away Don Tiburcio awakes to sense
of the beauty and freshness of the
morning, the glory of the light upor
the frowning crags of the sierra, the
sparkle and flash CT last nights dew
upon the glowing blossoms of thu
pomegranate, the song of the knocking
birds among the orangs groves, the ten
der light of love within pair of deer
dark eyes, all conjured up by the SCUM
of sweet voice that calls from tn
depths of the grove:
"papasito, papasito, where are your
"Aqui, hija, aqui" ('IIcre, daughter
hcrc'o, he answers, as he hastens for
ward.
Instantly two plump arms are funs
about his neck; "a pair of soft, warn
hands draw down his grizzled head
the dainty little figure in his arm
bends backward with a pretty, bird
liks gesture, then, with a glad, caress
ing laugh, suddenly falls forward upoi
his breast, and the pretty mouth i
lifted and lost in the depths of his Ions
beard. That kiss is Don Tihurcio'
morning bcnediction.
She is his priceless treasure, this win
some Marianita. -Four little mounds
within the churchyard tell of burie,
hopes, and none but the loving wifi
had ever known how his proud hear
had grieycd that there were none lef
to perpetuate his name. This CLOWN.
blossom of the south she gave to hin
with her last breath, and for liz year
he has worn it upon his heart. AS TO
Marianita, the world for her is bounde,
by the horizon which incloses her ia
Their She draws him now, unressting
ly. among the birds and flowers, and be
meath the spell of her witching sweet
ness passion dies out of his heart.
But later in the day, and 70
many days, the haunting thoughts re
cur, doubts arise and a purpose grow
within his mind. 1t had often beei
whispered about that Don Tiburcio wa
possessed of fabulous sums of money
real old Spanish gold. All who knew
him were aware that his pockets al
ways iingled, and some there were VIII
told of his counting out the peseta
and onzas by handfuls, as another ma
would count his reales. Don Tiburci
was we'll aware that these whispers ha,
heeR widely spread through all of tn
Candaslo de Los Angeles, and tn
storFof The outrages committed agelns
be properly of his friends farthe
Ii k9d Tuore than sympathetic sig