Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-12-30
THE JOKE
ON JOSE
Copyright, 1908, by Daily story Pub Co.o
By
LAWRENCE HENRY

liza, HA, HA, good joke, indeed, -
laughed the gay Hernandez as he
flashed his brilliant black eyes upon the
lace of his pretty companion And
so you have promised that half-silIy
Jokel Jose to be his wife How the
clown will squirm when he finds out
what game the charming Bonita has
Deen having at his expense"
Bonita laughed too and her voice was
like the ripping of a brook while her
oval face took on the innocent express
sion OF an angels. "Ah, it was such
fun" she lisped. Il wish you had come
with less noise, for then you could have
seen him down on his knees here on the
grass before me covering my hand with
burning kisses as he blubbered out his
gratitude at my acceptance of his suit -
tor one moment the handsome face
OF Hernandez convulsed with an ugly
scowl, then realizing the absurdity of it
he responded with affected Indifference:
on, well, the caresses of even a shep-
herd would fill in the gap for some
women"
why. you dear angel, can you think
1t was anything but sport for me! I
could hardly keep my sides from burst
ing at his gawkish exhibitions of ten
uerness. With this Bonita coquettish.
~ entWlned her velvety arm about his
neck. Does my noble Hernandez think
L 90 not know the difference between
gentleman and clod?"
Parbleu," he answered. pettishlv.
am almost as much a fool as he to
dnd in your playful pastime with such
a numbskull anything TO rufie me-"
Then suddenly approaching the proxim-
ity of his affectionate sweetheart he i'm
pulsively drew her closer and pressed
her inviting lips with a fervid passion
ate kiss.
At this instant there was a rustic of
the cactus bush near by The leaves
parted and exposed for a second livid
face. pair of eyes that seemed to spit
the venom of snake. And then it was
gone, but not before the lovers had seen
Josef" gasped Bonita.
1t looked like him." replied Herman
DEE, also somewhat i'll at ease; ''your
Joke has quick turn" he continued
with returning good humor. They
laughed again and proceeded with their
billing and cooling.
1t was in Sonora. that province of
Mexico, famed in story and romance.
where the glowing sun makes Lothario's
Or Othellos of the men; coouettes or
nuns of the women. Hernandez was the
son of the owner of hacienda lust ont
Of the village. While his career had
been checkered one. he was considered
he most eligible match in the valley
His amourS were notorious and MANY
a poor maid had cause to regret his con-
descension in choosing his favorites
but he was handsome. dashing, rich. and
few could resist
However, Bonita was wise in her dav
She was not the belle of the village for
nothing. Though her father was merely
saddle maker her beauty, grace and wit
gave her precedence over MANY higher
born. She had beautiful olive com
plextion, big languorous black eyes and
coral lips like Cupid. When Hernandez
selected her as conquest he found a
tartar Perhaps that is why he soon
grew to really love her and offened his
hand in marriage, and Bonita, coouette
hat she was really. gave her heart with
her hand. Still with a nature such as
lers she could not forego the oppor-
unity to trifle with the emotions of the
Their sex. and when she found that moor
Dse, Q common peon, showed signs