The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-19
WHY PARoE RoToLPH LAUGHED.

4 elt-4tf 5OtOlll, DdtQ anu Lit, sat II
MS arbor browsing over mis- breviary.
Between hin and the riy er lay hls vine-
yard, where Pope. & pious peon. stopped
over the low vines eroaking an Ave
ara. The sun was gone good half
hour behind the darkenirg hills, and the
Old missionary was asleep when the creak
Of wheels sounded from across the red
shining river and the splash-spIash Of 4
morse stopped Fepe's low chant.
Buenos noctes, Padre" said the peon,
hanging MS ragged sombrero on a stake
and Walking beside the weather-beaten
buggy that came gre aning up through
The vineyard.
Praise God in English. if you can
said the young priest in the buggy. for
II has been week blessed for the mis-
sion. See herr" and the sleek young mis-
sionary pointed to an old oak sack under
the seat. here are all the false gods-the
idols Of San Isador. I have won the
whole pueblo back to the good Chri5t.'
Father Gervase, the girl-faced enthu-
siast, lifted the sack tenderiy and laid
II at the feet of Botolph, then shook him
gently By the arm.
Wake. father wake, See what I have
brought you." And n the fading after
glow Gervase showed his superior the
false gods OF clay and feathers Which
he had taken from the Indians OF San
Isador.
Here is old Panch;co's favorite IDOL"
boosted the radiant Gervase, holding up
Srotesque many-armed clay figure which
smelled Of smoke and burned feathers.
I took II from his house while he locked
on and IN its place installed our Good
Lady Of Lourdes. Besides, I confessed
Not Panchico." snorted Botolph. TAX
ing the dirty image and patting its fat
little head.
NO not Panchico," resumed Gervase,
his blue eyes glistening with holy enthu-
siasm but all the rest-naore than
hundred and a score-counting the
sQuavs.. 1 save away all the fosaries
and tie scapulars, and put all my statues
IN the inches where these wretched dolls
Of mud had BEEN
Panch:co must to have been drunk
quoth Bodolph, who had been forty years
among the Pueblcs. He put his tongue
in his fat cheek ard gazed fatherly down
at his young assistant. Come, now, mic
muchacho. did you smell Panchico's
breath?'h
NO. father; 7 prayed beside him, for
he was III. He cid not take rart in the
fiesta. The agent. that devout young
man from Isleta. was there ana there
was no liquor. He saw the wonders that
worked-by the grace of God, Of course
And you confessed the whole pueblo2''
'All but Panchico, padre"
Then there viii be the devil 10 pay
when he finds it out"
Alas, father Bodolrh can YOU not see
that / nave converted them all. Are not
these in evidence that San Isador has
given up its false worship? To be sure,
it is ny first attempt, but
And you think that you have converted
them all Poor boyY' Bodolph was stuff
ing his bdlbous nose with snuff, and the
young Gervase, disappointed at the poor
impression mis- victory had made upon
the old man. was arranging the little
Indian images as a child might toy with
his tin soldiers.
What more could one humble priest
dor he murmured at last. Il have given
them the holy sacraments. conferred the
blue scapular. taken away their idols, and
given them best images OF the Virgin
Mary ana the saints. Is It not a good
beginning? Surely, 1 have at least done
no harm?' B.
'5iy pretty gossling" wheezed the old
man. waddling toward the refectory
where Pope has spread a Geld supper of
bread, cheese and wine, II began on
Panchicos father. the old chief, dead
these fifteen years 1t took ten years to
convince the father that mis- son should
live by work instead of theft: after ten
years Of argument 1 have done no more
than TO show the son that il is better to
have but ono concubine than to have
many who cannot bake his tortilIas in
the states prison. In time, if you live,
Gervase. you may satisfy his offspring
that there is a God for women rs well
as for men, but as for converting the
present generation my coed Gervase, pour
me some wine.
They munched their cold fare in the dim
Pepe standing silent II the
shadows.
what then must I do. padrer' asked
Gervase after a long pause.
First realize that YOU will not live to
experience the reward of knowing the
lrmticn Of your work. The civilized,
Indian will be the great-grand-
child of Panchico-please God"
After Botolph had read a chanter of
the Flores PatribGs and put away the
book, he said:
Pepe, YOU must watch all night Have
your lantern in the smokehouse and bring
he guns into the dormitory. Gervase /
and 1 VIII sit each in an angle of the
porch Mind you keep awake, and II
Pancnico and these rascals from San
Isador-'
"Panchicor' gasped Gervase. turning
pale.
IF you see any of them prowling about
Pepe.' resumed Botolph.
Isl, senori"
Just see that they don't set fire to the
2lace-and, call me-"
Now, Gervase," said the old mission /
AIRY, when the guns had been brought !
md Pope shuffled away into the night /
maze, unless I am very much mistaken /
your good convert Panchico viii be here I
before daylight 10 get hack that idol of /
lis. Don't shoot him, though that might (
be ONE way Of converting him perrna-
lently-but when he comes just let him /
see that we are armed and leave all (
speech TO me"
Gervase. white to his red lips, and 4
quite downcast, went TO his corner of the /
portico looking toward the !.
'og-veiled river and sat quiet on his 4
stool till the frosty air chilled through I
his heavy gown and the moon sailed /
over the eastern range like woman's 4
ace in g dream.
The boom of Pepe's leaping sandals (
IS the peon bounded onto the quaking .
porch floor woke him. He looked out
across the vineyard and in the dim light /
saw the mounted figures OF many In /
liaus, like craven hOrsemen. each mo-
ionless in a halo OF luminous fog. Bo- (
olph, gun in hand, followed Pepe down I
he steps and Gervase, shivering, follow /
"a Botolph.
Panchico was standing by his pony near 4
ne wei Upon his shoulder was a bag I
which cianked with the noise Of china
ware.
Padre" grunted the Indian in good
English. Il want hack the good friends
4 san Isador Here are your saints and 4
necklaces. Give me back what belongs /
@ my people
And Pope, AZ I signal from Botolph.
etched the sack OF false gods and laid 4
hem 81 Panchico's feet