Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-12
THE JOKE
ON JOSE
CcOpyright, lqOS. by Daily Story Pub. Cos
LAWRENCE HENRY

A, HA, HA, a good joke. indeed"
laughed the gay Hernandez as he
dashed his brilliant back eyes upon the
face OF his pretty companion. And
so you have promised that half-silly
yokel jose to be his wife. How the
clown will squirm when he finds out
what game the charming Bonita has
been 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. All it was such
fun" she lisped. 81 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"
For one moment the handsome face
Of Hernandez convulsed with an ugly
scowl, then realizing the absurdity Of it
ne responded with affected indifference:
~Oh, well, the caresses of even a shep-
herd would fill in the gap for some
women"
why, you dear angel. can you think
Il was anything but sport for me! I
ing at his gawkish exhibitions of ten
Serness." With this Bonita coquettish.
iy entwined her velvety arm about his
neck. Docs my noble Hernandez think
I do not know the difference between
gentleman and a clod?"
'Parbleu," he answered. pettishly.
Il am almost as much a fool as he to
and in your playful pastime with such
numbskull anything TO ruffle me-"
Then suddenly appreciating the proxim-
tty of his affectionate sweetheart he i'm
puisively drew her closer and pressed
her inviting lips with 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 a livid
face, pair of eyes that seemed to spit
the venom of a snake. And then il was
gone, but not before the lovers had seen.
Josef" gasped Bonita.
1T looked like him." replied Herman
Sez, 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 lyothario's
Or Othellos of the men: coQuettes or
nuns of the women. Hernandez was the
son OF the owner Of a hacienda just cut
Of the village. While his career had
been checkered ole. he was considered
The most eligible match in the valley
His amours were notorious and many
q poor maid had cause to regret his con-
sescension in choosing his fayorites
but he was handsome, dashins. rich. and
Few could resist.
However, Bonita was wise in her day.
She was not the belle of the village for
Rothing. Though her father was merely
q saddle maker her beauty, grace and wit
gave her precedence over many higher
born. She had beautiful olive com
Fiextlon, big languorous black eyes and
coral lips like Cupid. When Hernandez
selected her as conquest ne found a
tartar. Perhaps that is why he soon
grew to really love her and offered his
Band in marriage. and Bonita, coouette
that she was really. gave her heart with
her hand. Still with a nature such as
hers she could not forego the oppor-
@nnity to trifle with the emotions of the
other sex. and when she found that Door
%ose, common peon, showed signs
or an honest ardor. she led him on. until
IS climax to her numerous caprice
she promised to be his wife.
Jose was by no means a weakIine
because he lived so much of the time
rs tender Of sheep on the mountain
Yde' OF fool because he was big, and
Srawny and uncouth. Nobody seemed
10 consider him seriously, however
rs he had never cone ANYTHING for
people 10 fear or reyile him. He
aeyer disputed, Quarre!ed or fought:
Sid notaing but rlnG MS own business
Aence was regarce, a sinlpleton and a
coward. His love ioc Bonita was not
seneraily known OF ae would lil.eIy