Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-09
How the Yankee Saved His Life By AMANDA MATHEWS.

Cruz, 4ucAtan, sat a Stoop-ShoulueTed American lean and long of build, garbed in badly-htting plaid, and fiery tie, whittling a, branch of the tropical growth that fourished among the crumbling stones. Som etimes he paused to stare curiously about him at the hieroglyphic carvings of the temple walls and fallen m onoliths, the remains of civiliza tion decadent when the boy Columbus played about the wharves of Genoa. !, Half a dozen Indians of the Maya race, picturesque in immaculate white cotton garments, lounged about him. listening as politely, to his flow of Eng fish as though they understood every word; a Mexican soldier paced back and forth the length of the temple shadow, not feeling that duty called him into the yellow glare beyond; g. burro laden with peculiar assortment of boxes and tim horns browsed leis- urely near by. The Mayas, who had been brought into subjection to the Mexican government only for few weeks before glared at thesoldier with suIlen ferocity.
 "I don't guess it would pay to put up in this town,'' drawled the American, ''but don't care. Money ain't the whole thing. This old worlds chock full of queerness, and calculate to see all of it that I'm let. I've heard tell that this town ain't circumstance to some off here in the woods where you chaps worship the idols of your dads the same as you did before the time of Cortez. They do say it aint safe to visit them places without lot of sol- diers, but 8 Yankee can go anywheres on his wits. found Mexican colonel who speaks about a nickel's worth of English and he promised to meet me here an hour ago with guide who knows the way to 8 bony-fidy, heather backwooda city, I guess that's them oomin' now, so I'll bid you folks 'idyose,' and much obliged for your good company"
 All day Jeyenfah Judkns and the guide labored to get the loaded burro through a trail only wide enough for an Indian runner. They accom- plished the feat by using their hatchets freelys and, just after S&aAiSGUS AG SMAW 0kkAS~S1 A0SA V6SSA rapidly descending. rthey emerged from the forest anho an open square sur- rounded on three sfdea by mango trees under which nestled the native huts. The rem aiming side was occupied by an immense pyramidal structure of crum" bling stone steps surmounted by a rec- tangular temple with a sloping roof.
 There was no sound except the screeching of the parrots in themango trees, no light except what streamed from the open side of the temple be- tween the massive square stone pill lars supporting the roof. The guide lifted his voice in a long, wavering cry, and, immediately, three white-clad Mayas descended from the temple, un- loaded the hurro, o,transferred the box es and tin horns to their heads, and conducted Mir. Judkins in silence up the, pyramid.
 My land!" gasped that weary and perspiring traveler, "this hotel has more steps than the Norwalk Town house."
 Half-blinded by the light and smoke of many torches, he managed to grope his way to where his' baggage had been deposited at one end of the scene be- fore hips. The whole population of the village, men, women and children, sat on the stone floor facing the open side. At the other end of the hall on a sort of throne, stood an immense stone image whose hideous features, illuminated by the fickerirg torchlight, bore some grotesque resemblance to a human face as it might look distorted by every evil passion. A solid bank of skulls rose back of the idos while at it's feet was a large sacrifciaa stone covered with mystical carvings. On either side there stood three priests with long hadr fall ing over their shoulders in snake-like locks, dark faces, bare arms and long white robes hideously stained with blood. An Indian chfeftain, nearly na- ked except some war trappings of barbaric splendor, sat on a lesser throne on one side, above his people but lower than the god.
 "They seem to be waiting for me to begin," muttered Jeremiah, so amid profound silence and attention, he un- packed and set up a large graphophone | 0AAO a NipStOSSopC WiVA a lIAeaBiS iahlSA h attachment. When all was adjusted he cleared his throat and stepped for ward to make his preliminary speech. ''Mr. Chief and fellow-citizens (no, l you ain't that, thank goodness, but \ guess you won't know the difference), 1t gives me great pleasure to visit your beautiful city. I know you mean we'll by having this highly cultured and in- telligent audience all ready and wait7 SaE for me,but must say ain't used to speaking on an empty stomick and also it gifts me how I'm to charge ad- mission when you're already in. Of eourse l can and will pass the hat, but that ain't never so satisfactory, at least not to him that's giving the show. ! suppose that stone critter is your god. hope you won't take otfense because can't say that consider him handsome, but len it's all a matter of taste, as the old woman said when she kissed her cow. q guess you won't mind mossy joke down this way,1