The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-28
The Donkey and HE Grinao.
An Adventure in Chihuahua.

| When I was elected assistant treas
| urer of the Rio Verde Mining COM
pany. I received instructions to proceed
at once to the Ifaine,, which was situated
| in the southwestern corner of Chihua-
hua, and take charge of the ore as fast
as it cameron the shaft. For months
the output had been steadily shrink
ing. in value, and the stock consequent
~ had gone down, down, down, unit,
it was hardly worth the ink and paper,
there was trickery going on, the direc-
tors had at last concluded. but just
what they-did not know, and that was
why they sent me-to find out. 3
| made the trip to Chihuahua city
without break, but there my troubles
began. I was delayed a week, waiting
for the rattletrap of a diligencia that
took me to Santa Cruz, whence eX-
pected to go mule-back the rest of
my journey. But that wa s. merely a
trff1e, as compared with what. awaited
me upon my arrival at Santa Cruz;
there was not a mule or horse to be
had III the place. Also found La Villa
Rica de Ia Santa Cruz, to give its Off
cial miSnomer, to consist Of half a doz-
en- adobe novels, which were inhabited
by a dozen men and women of the peon
class, several dozen half naken chill
dren, and perhaps twenty dozen NANCY
/ ours: feas, flies, filth and evil doors
made UP the rest. Stay there and wait
for mules would not it was too squal-
i'd for the fastidious taste Of a gringo,
and / determined to push on, even if
should have to walk.
Inquiry, however, finally elected the
information that there was burro in
the place. the property of one Francis
co Flores. I hunted up Francisco.
will you sell the anima1?" I asked.
He answered with a surly refusal.
rejoined with an offer of twenty dollars
which he promptly declined. Then
raised my bid, once, twice, but he re-
manned unmoved and surly as at first.
was nettled. why do you value the
burro SO highly?" ] inquired with sar-
scasm; is 1t a family heirloom 2" I was
|: answered by Francisco's wife, who had
been a silent listener. "The burro was
the family pet" she said; it had been
reared in the house along with their
only child, and the two were tnsep-
arabic; moreover, Panchita, the little
girl, now lay in bed with a broken leg,
which would cripple her for life, and
so she would need the burro to carry
her about.
Crippled for life!" I exclaimed. HAS
the bone been set ?"
/. No, there was no doctor, and so it
would havesto heal as best it would.
I have little knowledge of simple
surgery, and thinking that I might be
able to help the child, I at once as
serted that-I was a doctor, and would
be glad to do what could for her, with
the result that Franciscos manner i'm
meGiately altered. He begged a thou
sand pardons for his inSolence to eel
buen medico," and led the way into the
house, where I found Panchita on a
bundle Of rags in the corner, moaning
with the pain of a fracture that only
needed setting; and a little time, TO
remedy. / always carry a small chest
of simple medicines in my outfit, and
getting the little one under the inf1u-
ence Of chlorofornl, I soon had the bone
properly set and the leg splintered;
then gave the mother some powders
to keep down the fever, and started
|. out. But Francisco stopped me.
\ @.This- is your house, senor,' he said,
earnestly. "All that possess is thine,
and my wife and are your attentive
servants. .
I knew this time-worn expression Of
the Mexican might mean much or little,
and so asked: And will you now sell
me the burro?"
1T is already thine senor," he re-
sponded, quickly, 1.-THE gift of Pan
chita"
went back to the child and laid a
heap of silver at her side. For her
wedding day." I said to the smiling
mother. Besides I will send the burro
back"
Then I was introduced to Ell Sabio,
and burst out laughing; he was so
small that might have taken him
{ to be a jack-rabbit, had I met him in
the chaparral. It seemed ridiculous to
think of such creature carrying me
1%ri, 1T
self better able to carry him, and in
good hundred derision suggested to
Francisco that do this. He took me
seriously.
@Pues no, senor!" he exclaimed puz-
Zled THAT is not the custom of the
country. laughed, and he instantly
comprehended the humor of my re-
mark "A1l, the caballero laughs
at his size" he said, smiling. But
look, he is strong, very strong, and the
.cabaIlero will be no more than a feath-
er to him. He is a wise, brave little
beast, and very sure of foot. He will
carry you we'll"
I doubted it, but upon getting on him
found that he really could bear my
weight with ease; nevertheless, IT be-
ing more tiresone to keep my legs
furied under him so they would not
DRAG on the ground, than to walk, I
concluded to pack my outfit on his
back, and myself go afoot, driving him.
was starting to lead him away when
Francisco put his hand on my arm.
'.Un nlomentito, senior" he said and
gently drew me back into the house.
"You are armed, see, he now went
on, lowering his voice to a whisper,
and pointing to my revolvers. Make
sure that your pistols are in good or
der, and do not sleep too soundly on
the way"
aIndeed!" said in surprise. And
why?''
.sBe cause He hesitated, glancing
| anxicusly at his wife. DO not betray
me, senior, my life would be the for
feit-because your coming is expected
at the mine"
I stared at him increduously; that
could not be possible, I thought. But
how else could Francisco know that my
mission was supposed to be kept Sc
cret until my arrival? And then, like a
fash, it came to me that one of the
directors must be working in collu-
sion with the mines superintendent to
ROB the company, and depreciate its
stock, and SO had telegraphed notice of
my &C ming.
My thoughts were interrupted by
Francisco whispering. go now, or you
will bring evil upon me and mine; I
have told you enough. Va con dos"
And he pushed me out and closed the
door.
make no pretension to bravery be-