The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-05

other things in this world which self
respecting family will not be deprived CT
Everybody knew Trinidad Then, too,
Of course, everybody understands what
fools the Americans are. Americans are
a kind of crazy animals made of money.
Jaggers came charging along that hilIy,
narrow street where the big date-palm
leans over the way and Trinidad'S hut
stands. Just beside the hut was a coffin
factory with the lugUbrious words, Ca
jas Mortuorias,' in letters zen feet high,
hung across the road. Then coffin-mak-
er, his mouth judiciously hid behind his
hand, grinned, mild-eyed, as Jaggers
charged along. The American was con-
scious of bright eyes peering out of stone
walls at him here and there. He trotted
holly into his cooks abode NOW
where's your grandmother" Illuminated
he, glaring surily, with his hat on.
The hut was of adobe and rocks, with
matched roof, tall and pointed. It's earth
en- floor was swept clean 1t had two
rooms. A wild wailing suddenly burst
out in the rear one. Jaggers Whir,ed
round, amazed. On the mud wall was a
picture Of the Virgin of Guadalupe. A
brasero bore some pottery and a piture
of coffee. There were evidences of haste
The only chair was flung down outside
| In the doorway leading to the chamber
of sorrow pot Of atole or Cruel had
1dIl6I anu SluGSIleCJ SO lIldC MdICelIIlSG
plant and comforting, when she came
rushing out, trod in it, all beautiful and
unconscious. With tears running down
her cheeks, and Cruel on her foot, she
led the now distracted Jaggers in, haul
ing him with feminine Spasm. He had
already observed some seven little heads
sticking out of the doorway, gllttering
eyes contemplating him sadly. The seven
faces were all smeared with cruel, as
| hnyy honY o1,r
meal. An eighth was gazing dolefully at
the smashed pot from distance.
The odor of a multitude assaiIed Theo-
philuS as he went into the rear room. He
was little meeker. This room was
dark, being devoid of windows, and only
about nine feet square. In it, crowded
huddled, some standing, some sitting
some flung right on the floor in attitudes
OF ruin and despair, were Trinidad, her
twelve children, her two husbands, some
very old neighbor women, and the three
nharmOniouS pigs. In the center of this
abandoned group, on a rude table, was a
coffin. The apartments only light was
| that OF four candles at the collins cor
ners. Their flames, wagering, yellow.
cast a weird radiance about upon thu
multitude. That radiance illuminated the
strangely antique countenance of the
casket's occupant. A woman seemingly
hundred years of age lay there, silent,
drawn Of feature, CLASSY Of Enclosed
eye. Her hair was snow-white. Her
lace was of the Indian type-strong
bony, regal, like Trinidads.
fled.
"Senor!' walled voice from behind
him, under the date palm, I'VE haven't
any money for the funeral at noon!'
lie turned, wild-eyed, to see Marcelina
stumbling along, her ruTobery hands
making those gestures of despondency
Remorse, heavy, rude awakener. sat
| on Jagsers' heart and rallied at his inner
consciousness. He drew a s. bill out of his
pocket and threw it at her, as though
to defy her, wrathiIy.
He went trotting down the road, find
ing 1t difficult to draw his rebelIous
breath The coff1n-maker, a blanket
wrapping him mysteriously to the ears.
still stood under his mighty and lugu-
brious sign, and smiled gently behind
his hand. Trotting on, Jasgers was sure
he heard a smoker issue from behind the
wall of a garden where papaya and guava
trees rustled in the breeze. JerkiIv he
turned his spasmodic head, but saw moth
ing, and logged on, perspiring. Once he
felt confident that a giggle came forth
from the door of house he passed He
wheeled thither, like rabbit, half scar
ed. He saw a girls skirt whisking away,
and there was no more glggle Red and
hot he came to his home in a mood of
mingled regret, doubt and perplexity.
| Why those chickering's? Could it be- after
! ALL some deception? Was it possible that
he hadn't quite mastered the grandmoth-
| er trick?
He pondered over this, lingering the
! iron key in his hip pocket. Suddenly his
| American vim came back. He'd see the
| thing through blast I'll He turned and re-
! tracted his steps, willy. Up the street
| of the date-palm he came painting. At q