The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-03


md another sweetheart.
The don in selecting the inmates of
his harem does not depend upon him
self alone. He has taken a lesson from
the Sultan in this matter, and, like
that potentate, has his regular COM
missioners, who apprise him of beau
ties whom he may not have seen. The
don is such a busy man that if he did
not have such aid he might occasional
ly overlook a. really desirable damsel.
But in one respect he does not pat
tern after the grand Turk. That po-
tentate, when he finds that his harem
Is getting overstocked or that the
beauties in it are getting little passe,
has generous habit of comforting
some of the fair ones upon his cour-
tiers, an honor which they do not al
ways appreciate, but which they do
not dare decline. But Don Juan abb
jlres this practice. Many of the wo-
men in his harem have long since out
grown their beauty and attractiveness,
but there they still remain, pension
ers on the dons bounty, and treated
with all the honor, if not the recipi-
ents of as much affection, as they ever
enjoyed.
OF course, the American neighbors of
Don Juan do not take kindly to his
harem, but as they are few and far
between that has not affected his tran
Quilly up TO the present Tune. Inc sec
ton OF Colorado in which the don lives
is pocket edition of Old Mexico. Not
only on his own land, but on all the
land adjoining for leagues and leagues
almost the only inhabitants are Mexi-
cans, who have lived there unmolested
| and in true patriarchal style ever since
the Indians were driven out They are
queer and picturesque people and do
not take kindly to the inquisitive
American, although they treat him
hospitality. When they first came to
this section they were undoubtedly
Catholics, but having no priests dur
ing all the years since they came, they
have wandered far in the religious
field, until IL would be hard at the
present time to classify them accord
ing to known creeds.
They have a religion, however and
in this can be plainly traced the teach
ings of the old friars. Don Juan is
the earthly head of their religion, and
as this invests him with something If
supernatural power in The eyes of
the Mexicans, it may explain Why some
jealous swain whose sweetheart has
been taken from him has not before
this inserted knife between the don's
ribs. They have a church in the COM
munity, and Don Juan is IT'S high
priest. In the church are many huge
crosses, which are borne up a steep
mountain side and return, about 400
wards.
This work is done as penance and
every member of the congregation IL
supposed at some time during every
month to perform this labor. The
crosses are all of them big, but some
are smaller than others. The penitent,
If he be sincere, selects one that he
is just able to carry, and sometimes
he struggles for one whole day getting
up the mounatin and back with it. The
method of showing great devotion is
by the selection of cross that Is
little too heavy.
After the cross bearing duty is fin
ished many of the members of the sect
fog themselves. This custom of flagel-
lation is practiced by Doth men and
women, and is carried on in earnest.
So heartily do the penitents weld the
lash upon themselves that blood is fire.
quently seen to flow as result.
Aside from his habit of interrupting
many love affairs of the younger peo-
pie. Montez's reign seems to be a be-
neficent one in many respects. The
Mexican festivities of which that peo-
pie are so fond, are regular occur
rences. The observance of holidays
and saints days is never missed. The
people never see a newspaper, and few
of them could read 1t If they did. The
settlement is a rough one, so few Wis
itors go to the neighborhood. The COM
munity keeps to itself a great deal.
and aside from buying some groceries
and little clothing at Walsenburg, rot
much trading is done with the outside
The Mexicans manufacture many
things, and their wants are simple.
hence they are not often compelled to
get the goods of modern commerce.
ie informed
American political questions, and is
well-informed man on general affairs.
In this respect he is a marked excep-
ton to the rest of his people, few of
whom know anything about the great
country in which they live, and pass
their whole lives immersed in the little
affairs of their villages. But tie don
is a power in politics, and when cleo
ton day comes around the vote OF the
Mexicans is pumped as he dictates.
This is what is causing some atten-
ton to be directed 20 the don just
now by Colorado politicians. In this
state every woman has vote. and II
Don Juan is voting the forty or more
inmates of his harem, in addition to
controlling the votes OF his country
men. he is more or less of menace
to both parties, for there is nothing
to prevent him, in case Of close po-
litical contest, swelling his harem TO
such proportions as to effectually
swamp any opposition to his wishes.
For this reason it is probable that the
peculiar practices of the d)n will be
brought to the official attention Of the
Governor. and If he cannot see his way
clear to abate Don Juan. the aid of the
United States authorities may be In
voked.
1t is understood that steps are now
being taken to lay the matter before
the Governor and the probabilities are
that he will soon surprise the don by
an unwelcome interference with his do
nestle relations.
jackson (the waiter)-"Why don't
you git in dat game of poker? Amt
Won acoiiainted wild de gentlemen?'