The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23
figure of "Justice" with unbandaged

general "turn OUT of officials took
place, followed by putting in of
new men. Another judge was APP
pointed in the little town of which |
write, and matters soon settled them
se'ves very comfortably. as if moth
ing had occurred. Certainly, to out
siders the revolution had caused less
inconvenience than late invading
army of locusts.
Meanwhile, Manuel Rodriguez had
been reused from his usual apathy,
and the question of his preference
for certain senorita definitely set
tied. An energetic sutton for the
hand of the fair Anita having come
forward, caused Rodriguez to realize
the state of his own heart, and the
fact that Anita, and she only, was its
mistress. He then lost no time, but
made such favorable overtures that
he was accepted, and the marriage
arranged for the next "Fiesta."
A few days previous to the wedding
he called at his residence of the
e'vlyappointed judge to notify that
he should present himself with his
betrothed, her parents, and usual
witnesses on the morning of the Flies
ia, for the civil marriage. The Judge
was seated at his official table, clad
in brand-new dress of office, hair
cropped, mustachios waxed, calm
and dignified. 1t was not surprising
Rodriguez failed to recognize in him
the dusty, unkempt, worn out travel
Ter of two months ago, whose shoe
still remained, unmended and I'M
claimed, on tue shelf of the work
shop.
But the Judge recognized Rodrig-
uez, and listened gravely while the
latter stated his business, and said
they would, with the permission of
his excellency, assemble before him
at nine o'clock on the morning of the
Fiesta. The only response of the
judge was brief "Buenos;" and, tax
ing up paper, signifed that the
interview was closed. Rodriguez,
thus dismissed, uttered his thanks
and bowed himself out; he thought
the judge might have been little
more pleasant, considering the agree
able nature of the OCCASION; but, an
well, possibly he was bachelor, poor
man!
If Rodriguez had glanced back, on
leaving the room, he would have seen
the grave countenance of the Judge
instantly relax, smile spread over
his face, and his eyes twinkle with
fun, as he rubbed his hands together,
exclaiming: "Ah, revenge is sweet;
| snail now be even with you, my
! friend"
1t was glorious morning; the
Fiesta was one of the great ones,
and general holiday; the tinkling
bell of the little church had been
calling worshipers together, at inter-
walls, from a very early hour. There
was no lack of them, for, besides the
residents, there came from the out
lying estancias and smaller farms
every kind of vehicle, literally packed
with men, women, and children; and
there were also horses carrying whole
families on their backs. The plaza in
front of the church presented an in
teresting scene, crowds of holiday
attired people waiting their turn,
watching for the doors to open, the
congregation to pour out, and the
bell again call to the next service.
The Argentine colors were dis
I played over the residence of the
Judge, and few minutes before nine
o'clock the wedding party came in
sight, a gay procession of some
length, threading its way across the
plaza by well-trodden path under
the acacia trees, thus avoiding the
dusty road. The invitations.t partici-
pate had been we'll responded to, and
the party crowded the room where
they awaited the appearance of the
judge.
Ten minutes passed, and Rodriguez,
becoming impatient, rose and looked
out; avigilante was walking saddled
horse to and fro before the door of
judges bedroom, which opened on
the Plaza; at the same moment,
dressed for riding, out came the
Judge himself, and, to the utter con-
stern alton OF Rodriguez, proceeded
to mount his horse He was then
about to start, but this was too much.
Rodriguez dashed forward.
"Pardon, senor," he gasped; "the
marriage-we are all assembled in
the office"
"Ehi" said the judge; "marriage"
"Si. senior: il was arranOed for this