Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-04-15
HIS TREASURE.

A proud descendant of a proud old
race was Don Tiburcio Tapia. His many
servants and dependents found in him
kind but naughty master; his many
friends chivalrous, generous, true
hearted gentleman. Like all his wealthy
neighbors, he was lord of vast domains,
and for one half the year be dispensed
the free handed hospitality of those fes-
tive Spanish times within the pueblo of
Los Angeles the other half he spent in
happy, quiet ease among his olives and
his vineyards OH the beautiful ranch of
Cucamonga, named from the frowniug
sierra that forms its northern boundary
wall.
And here it is that on perfect June
morning of 1916 we find him pacing up
and down the noble avenue of ancient
olives, his brows knit into an anxious
frown, his much perturbed spirit finding
vent in an occasional low mutter,
"Americanos ladrones!"
For many weeks vague rumors of war
had been waited upon the orange scent
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 it
self into an actual and active protest.
But only this morning dust covered
rider had flung the hateful words to
him which raised his ire, and then
spurred his horse onward toward the
pueblo of Los Angeles.
"The Americanos have risen openly
against General Castrol The flag OF
Mexico has been pulled down in the pueb-
10 of Sonoma and a flag with an Oso
floats over the town. ~
Then the messenger had gone on to
paint the scene in vivid, fiery language,
telling of the plumber of horses and cat
tie and household goods, of the indigni-
ties offered proud old gray headed dons
and their families, and how some of
their "paisanos" had been led away by
the filibusters to be imprisoned in SUIT
ter Fort.
All Of Don Tiburcio's angry spirit
leaped to his eyes. The proud passion of
a hundred passionate ancestors rang in
the tones with which he uttered
"Aiye, osos Demouios A los infernos
con todosl Dios Dios donde estas?'
"Aye, bears Demons To hi with
them all God God Where art thou?")
And the messenger sped on with his
hateful message.
Now, an hour later, Don Tiburcio
strides up and down the Alameda de Oil
vos, the fires of hate still raging stormily
within his breast. Suddenly all anger
dies away. Don Tiburcio awakes to a
sense of the beauty and freshness of the
morning, the glory Of the light upon the
frowning crags of the sierra, the sparkle
and flash of last nights dew upon the
glowing blossoms of the pomegranate,
the song of the mocking birds among
tho orange groves, the tender light OF
love within pair Of deep dark eyes, all
conjured up by the sound of a sweet
voice that calls from the depths of the
grove: -,
"Papasito, papasito, where are your
"Aqui, hija, aqui" ("Here, daughter,
here"), be answers, as he hastens for
| ward.
Instantly two plump arms are flung
about his neck; pair OF soft warm
hands draw down his grizzled head
the dainty little figure in his arms bends
backward with a pretty, birdlike ges-
ture, then, with glad, caressing laugh,
suddenly falls forward upon his breast,
and the pretty mouth is lifted and lost
in the depths Of his long beard. That
kiss is Don Tiburcio's morning benedic-
tion.
She is his priceless treasure, this win
some Marianita. -Four little mounds
within tho churchyard tell of buried
hopes, and none but the loving wife
had ever known how his proud heart had
grieved that there was none left to per
petuate his name. This glowing blossom
of tho south she gave to him with her
last breath, and for 16 years he has
worn it upon his heart. As for Marian
ita. the world for her is bounded by the
horizon which incloses her father. She
draws him now, INCREASINGLY, among
her birds and flowers. and beneath the
spell of her witching sweetness passion
dies out of his heart.
But later in the day, and for many
DAYS, the haunting thoughts recur
doubts arise and purpose grows with