The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-31


Until II is safe to travel"
which way do you go?"
ITO Vera Cruz"
You are a ConstitutionaIist7
Il belong to no party" / replied.
evasively.
1.-The Constitutionalists win be de-
feated. General Juarez's government
will fail. The church has SIS friends
they viii not see il plundered."
Think you SOP I asked. wishing to
draw him out
He did not answer me. but frownec.
I saw that my inquiry displeased him.
He took it that either did not believe
him or did not agree with what he said.
There were two other men in the room,
and they were both watching me with
distrust. observed. That ] was a for
eigned. and especially that 1 was an
American. was against me; for It was
; believed. as I have said. that the
United States would attempt TO take
, more territory from Mexico.
endeavored to appear unconcerned
and friendly, calling for wine, and find
ing that they were ready CROUCH to
drink with me as long as I paid for II
l sat around the place for an hour. but
all attempts TO extend my acquaintance
or engage them in conversation availed
little
III another cigar, and pushed my
chair back against the wall. There were
newspapers there, and I picked up one.
but I made very poor progress with
the Spanish words. But my ears were
open all the while
As 1 sat dreaming over the paper, my
cigar gone out, man came into the
room. I took no notice OF him. but
after little became conscious that he
was watching me. When looked up, he
was still looking at me.
The other men had paid no attention
10 him, and were playing cards In the
farther corner of the room.
"Buen dia. senor." said. ct will play
you. Or do you care to play7-'
I had not before thought OF playing.
and spoke on the impulse OF the mo-
ment.
He looked at me, frownei. and half
turned away. The fellows in the cor
ner ceased playing. looked significantly
at one another, winked, and then looked
at me.
tried not to notice, or to appear
Indifferent. I cared nothing for gam
bling. was morally opposed to it. 1
had never played enough 20 understand
the games thoroughly. but knew that
the Mexicans were inyeterate gamblers.
and it had suddenly occurred to me
that I might take advantage of this
weakness TO establish myself in their
| friendship.
Are you afraid that will win your
money!" I asked. as BE did not reply.
make the limit eight reaIes."
The men in the corner grinned. Evi-
IDENTIFY they were pleased at something
The newcomer looked scornfuliy down
upon me. and said. with an air OF hau-
teur: Il VIII play you for any limit
you wish. senor.''
He motioned to the other fellows, and
| they cleared a table. At last, It now
seemed. we were on common ground.
Apparently. there was good feeling all
around, and they were pleased at the
turn events had taken.
= felt the change I'm the atmosphere.
and my spirits rose. If they thought
me an adventurer with a little money
1t was all right True. aad played
little, almost nothing to speak of. but
what mattered it? I could afford to lose
a hundred, two hundred. Ave hundred
pesos. if l could gain the assistance OF
one or two OF these fellows. They were
daring and adventurous. and probably
would be good fighters In an emergency
the very men for the business want
ed men for
The game was monte. a favorite game
with Mexicans. but game 1 knew al
most nothing about. I did NOT name a
very high stake at first. but It satisfied
the other players.
could see that they thought me tinid
lost. but doubled the stake. and they
put up their money. 1 lost, but 1 was
game. True. I was little nervous and
played recklessly at first, but as we
continued playing I exercised more eau
ton.
We played for an hour. I losing more
than l won. I had fairly good hands.
but 1 had counted on losing my money
and buying their friendship. For this
reason I think I was disposed TO be
more reckless with my money than
otherwise would have been. 1t stood to
reason that as long as I had money.
and they thought they could win It from
me. there would at least be a pretense
of friendship on their part.
| Still. for some reason. my philosophy
did not seem to hold good. for the more
| l lost, with greater contempt did they
treat me. II soon appeared TO be los
ing game with me all around.
More than once l took an insult from
| them. They bullied and they Dragged
came TO hate the whole lot. was
angry with myself for playing the fool.
As the cards were being shuffied for
another deal a boy came into the room.
He talked so loudly that I could hear
every word he said The city was
again threatened, so IL seemed. and the
whole army of the Liberals. which had
been in the neighbOrhoOd OF Queretaro.
was to make an attack-rght on
that very night. perhaps
Boy-like, he was unduly excited, as
could be easily seen by his manner, ana
magnified the danger which he believed
threatened the city. ! had paid little
attention TO what he was saying until 1
heard him mention Don Carlos name.
In an instant ] was on the alert TO
catch every word he said. 1t seemed, as
near as / could make out. that Don Car
los had been called away hastily TO at
tend a council of war.
's'What did Don Carlos say2' asked the
proprietor.
.1He didn't say much" replied the boy.
"onlv that ne would be back. He went
away with lust two or three men, and
. the others are waiting for him"
| So intent was / Oh listening TO what
the boy was saying that my attention
had to be called to the fact that 1t was
my plav. This was done with a sneering
, / remark as much as intimating that 1t
was dull sport fleeing me, but neces-
sarflv the game must be long drawn out.
l looked at my hand and then raised
the stakes My companions looked sui
, lenlv at their cards. This game. at least.
, ! knew was mine.