Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-09-06
THE LITTLE AGAPITA SHOUTED
"CABALLOr AND CLASPED HER
MOTHER ABOUT THE NECK.

the ground in front of the dobe beat
ing out corn for tortillas, in a stone
metate, as Elizabeth and her charge
came in sight, the woman rose and ran
toward them, flinging her arm and shawl
close around the little boy, and hugging
him to her breast.
Mothers pigeon-mothers little life!
Are you glad to get home to mother and
the little house?" she cooed 10 him in
soft Spanish, glancng sdewise with a
sort OF hostility at Elizabeth as she
spoke, still disjrustful of that young
persons designs upon her boy.
She was in the half reconciled condi-
ton of COW mother, who, having had
her calf taken from her, is content so
long as she does not see it; but breaks
INFO noisy protest Immediately upon lis
appearance.
Lizzie FOSSIL her head and looked
away; but the lille Agapita Shouted
"Caballo" and clasped his mother about
the neck, while, she, nothing loath,
shifted him 10 her back and ran laugh
ing and prancing and pretending to buck
with him, in broncho fashion, TO the
door of the hut.
1t was a pretty enough picture, If
Elizabeth had been in any humor TO adj
mire it, for the woman was c0mely, the
child was very beautiful and both were
flushed with laughing with much flash
ing of white teeth and rolling of big,
dark eyes. But Elizabeth regarded the
whole performance unfavorably. She
seated herself uncomprOmisingly upon
the only chair, while Nine. Sandoval
squatted on the ground and rocked her
laughing boy in her arms, showering
him with kisses and murmuring Lit
tie son come home to mother-lictle son
little sonw
Mime. Sandovalr said the girl, 81
want to talk to you about Agapita."
In spite of her professed inability to
understand English, the herder's wife
looked up startled. "Agapita?" she
c Iestioned and waited in subdued 81
lence.
do you think it is right for you to
keep him here?' Elizabeth asked alb
ruptly.
Holy mother" whispered the woman,
''where shall keep him if not here?"
Agapita had run into the 'dobe, and
walked the baby. Anita took it up and
brought it to her mother, who hushed it
as she talked.
"Well, he ought to have advantages
which you cant give him. He ought to
have an education"
"At - vantaShuss adZucassione."
breathed the bewIldered woman. Eliza
beth saw she must descend, from long
words and English to such Spanish as
she was mistress Of and for an hour she
argued, scolded and explained in that
tongue, holding forth most feelingly to
the mother OF Agaplta. upon the neces-
sity for so pretty boy TO have
chance in the world Agapita ran out
and in, and leased Anita.
Amalio, the lame boy, called him soft
ly and showed MIN some childish treas
ures he had saved for him. and hidden
under the mat upon which he sat all
day braiding hair quirJs and brides.
And Nine. Sandoval wept.
He will know so much-he will be
like a priest-he will not care for his
mother any more" she sobbed.
Elizabeth prudently RETAINED from
saying that she did not intend he should
have anything to do with the family
after he was grown up. Think of what
fine man he'll be-" she replied instead.
And after long argument and much per-
suason the hard-wrung consent was
won.
you have the other children, you
know; you won't mind much" she said,
as she was departing with her prize
'T5enorita Elizabeth IS young. When
she is older she will not say mother
does not mind about one of her children.
no matter how many more she may
have" the Mexican woman replied with
sad dignity. and Elizabeth hurried
away. slightly abashed.
That afternoon Mary found her rip
ping up last summers white dress
why" deare," she said, what are
you doing? you mustn't RIP that up
What will you do for a white dress next
summer"
Elizabeth made no answer, but con-
tinued TO clip away the pretty lace from
the fabric.
my love" sad Mary more insiS.ent-
ly. putting her hand over the busy fin
gers and stopping them. that dresss is
perfectly good; and you know you can't
afford a new one, even # l were going
TO be here to make it for you"
Don't you think anybody can sew
but you, Mary?" l will show you
whether can or not when get TO max
ing this into the things intend t for"
Now. Lizzie, you're just beginner,
and you'll find the sewing to go hard
enough Il always have without de-
stroying any that's already done.
What ara you planning anyhow-an-
other dress?"
u shall do without a white dress next