Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-01
Torture of Doubt.

! The white light of the MONDAY sun
falls on the plaza The stone pave
ment throws back the heat, and the
pulsating air distorts Enthusiastically the
trees on the streets beyond. The
street movement has almost ceased,
the hum of voices becomes gradually
lower, and the leathery clatter Of UNI
shod hoofs is stilled. The policeman
at the corner takes last glance
around TO make sure that all Is well,
and withdraws to the inviting shadow
, of neighboring archway: soon his
head rests comfortably against the
must be maintained without interior
ence from him. His cigarette, still
tightly held, burns slowly away;
when the fire reaches his fingers he
awakens momentarily, throws the
cigarette away, and relapses again
into siumber.
At the curb in front stands soli-
tary burro awaiting the pleasure OF
his master. His long ears flap lazily
in time with his carefully clipped tail,
the latter ridicuously inadequate for
the purpose, for his best efforts fail
to d.slodge the flies. He opens wide
his mouth as II to bray, but changes
his mind and yawns instead; the
shade of the portal impresses him as
an improvement upon his present po-
sition, He places one hoof on the side
walk and looks fiXedly at the door Of
the cantina: no result follows, and he
places its fellow beside IL; pausing Il
moment, the silence encourages him;
he makes bold to get entirely in the
shade. and smiles satisfaction to
himself. But his pleasure Is brief;
his master lushes from the cantina
with cry OF Are! burro!" and
chasos him down the street. Two
children play bareheaded in the gut
ter, single garment tucked up 10
their arm-pits showing Difference to n
civilization which prescr.bes clothing
in public Their brown skin shines
duly through the increasing dust as
they slowly dabbe their hands in n
small puddle and mutually clean
them IN each others hair. This oper-
alton, carried on in a grave and dig
nilied manner, gives evident satisfac-
ton. Having thoroughly matted
each others hair with mud they pro
coed to decorate their garments like
wise, but their mother quickly inter
feres. for their hair will cleanse it.
self in time, but shirts must be
washed.
The flower booths near the center
of the plaza have long been closed,
with one exception; in this sits Josefa,
ready to be taken back to the casita
near the south gate of the city; prop
erly cared for, they will appear differ
ent from those more freshly cut.
Perfecto comes, casts the leathern
straps from his head, and places The
heavy olas at his feet. Since early
morning he has been drawing water
from the fountain and distributing Il
to various houses, for as yet the glo-
rious opportunity for plumber or poit-
zeal power, or both, by means OF a
water company, has not been exploit
ed. He losses handful OF tiacos in
to Josefa's lap and smiles as she care
fully counts them.
Well done, Perfecto," she says;
"a medic more than yesterday" then
mods approyingly.
While he fans himself vigorously
with his leather cap she unburdens
her mind, for OF late there has arisen
within her womanly desire for bit
Of raiment-a desire not to be salts
fed, she knows, yet the very impossi-
bility OF possession makes her dwell
more fondly on It's beauties. She
glowingly describes this wonderful re-
bozo; It's curiously woven figures and
marvelousIy lustrous colors; the silken
softness OF the material and the flmy
fringe which adorns the ends.
But the cost, Perfecto." she adds
helplessly, the cost! Twelve dollars!
Think Of 1t! our earnings for month
II is SO beautiful, were Il mine,
would--but no! To spend SO much
for one rebozo were wicked--no!"
4 Perfecto comforts her as TO the
moral aspect; It's all right TO wish
for things, for one doesn't usually get
ZEN; when the wish is gratiIed the
trouble begins lie presents the prac-
teal side. They have the money, It
is true; but the child is none too
well, and who knows but the medieo
must be consulted-when that once
begins-yaya! What doesn't go 10 the
medico the botica takes, and no cure
until there's no money left; the doctor
then looks wise and says, thanks ~
God and his skill. the child is out 81
danger, and there's no need to come
any more. No, chica, they must do
without the Tebozo for awhile. and
perhaps luck may come.
Within the week all ideas Of fnery