The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-11

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fast there, for I can promise you that
they do not set table d'hote, nor are
meals served zen cours.
1--WE will take what we can get, and
be thankful for it" said MIR. Melrosc.
"A cup OF coffee VIII be better than
nothing. 1t will warm us up"
Under the excitement caused by the
mental strain I had been subject to,
through the rapid changing OF events
I had not noticed the cold. nor had I
thought before of eating. The sun was
now well up. the morning advanced. and
| IT was 10 longer chilly
We had been descending IF pm the high
elevation of the mountains all the time,
and IL Is wonderful what a change ele-
walton will effect in temperature. But
my companions were older tina 1: their
blood was not so warm. nor were they
used 20 roughing It as I had been doing
/ for the last two years. Then. too, liv-
ing several months in the high altitude
of the City Of Mexico had seryed TO
acclmate me.
| A dog snarled at US as we rode up TO
the house; a shifuess. III clad. bare
/ footed fellow came TO the door. stared
at us vacantly, and then called to an
Indian boy, who stretched himself and
got up lazily from pile of straw in a
shed at one end OF the house. We dis
mounted, giving our horses to the peon
! as he came to take them, and went into
the house
The house was but howell, with the
I ground for a floor One or two small
windows admitted a little light The
room smelt abominably of orders which
were beyond my power or analyzing. ex-
cept to say that they We're most vile
II would seem that the fire-what lit
tie was needed for coolzing-was built
anywhere on the floor. as was most con-
venient, and the smoke allowed to es-
cape as best it might through door or
/ windows At one end Of the room there
was a bundle of magurie fbers. which
were used as a bed. There was also a
| rude table. and near the walls were
] benches or stools. These things, with a
Few cooking utensils, constituted about
all the furniture Of the room.
A woman, as frowsy as the nan. was
| seated on the ground. engaged In pre-
pairing tortillas, a task. as IL seemed
to me, which was the universal occupa-
ton Of Mexican women. She looked up
as we entered, but die not rise.
/ The dog still barl1ed at our heels. and
the man gave him a kick which sent
him bowling out OF the door, and then
offered US seats. Mr.. Melrose sank into
the nearest one, and waited for the
! Spaniard. He had turned TO the man.
I'VE want some Coffee he explained.
"as good as you can make, and also
something TO eat"
Yes, senior" he replied courteously
enough I'VE viii give you the best we
have"
The best they had. with the lower
classes of Mexicans, was bad enough.
knew. It mattered not about the war,
for II affected them very little. They
never had anything The property and
wealth OF the nation belonged 70 the
church. and the few wealthy families.
Yet poverty 70 those who knew moth
ing better, who had no higher ambi-
ton than merely TO exist. was not In
tolerable. II was their Inheritance; and
generations OF life under the same con-
dltions had Injured them to It. And this,
too, IN a land OF wonderful resources,
where II would seem that everyone
might have plenty and abundance.
But the Mexicans are indOlent, con-
tent TO have nothing; and it was likely
that II would be a thanlSless under
taking for the philanthropist who --ould
attempt to show them how they might
better their condition. But TO one OF
such a fine and sensitive nature as Nj
BIelrose possessed, the surroundings
we're unbearable.
| I saw him look about him with dis
gust, and l doubt not, had he been In
better health and spirits, he would have
preached to our host a. sermon on shift
lessness. AS for Don Cortinia, long
familiarity with the conditions Of the
people had made him unmindful OF their
poverty, and he probably looked upon II
as INEVITABLE He took a seat at the
table. and I sat down near him, but
facing the door.
IF we are fortunate enough 10 reach
La Puebla tonight. think we will ap-
J preciate being at a good hotel" observed
Mr.. Melrose.
, I'VE viii no. reach La Puebla to-
night" replied Don Cortinia.
WHAT" I exclaimed. mot reach la
Puebla?"
NO, for we have good days ride
before we reach Tlaxcala And from
TlaXcala to la Puebla It is fully ten
miles. II not more. No. we Will lay over
at Tlaxcala."
Il guess that we viii have TO-" said
But can sa.- that this is an Internally
slow country"
Not so slow sometimes" replied the
Spaniard. with a scornful smile
The coffee was brought to us black.
but not 50 bad as we might have ex-
pected TO find; and also some Of the
tortillas which we had seen tho woman
making. She went out after she had
finished baking them; but the man
stayed TO wait upon us. I was hungry,
and paid little attention 70 what was
going on.
The Spaniard was quite himself, and
appeared TO be as much at home as II
he had been at his own table. He was
in a laxative mood, and ne was giving
Mr.. Melrose an account OF the war and
: troubles which led TO 1t. His listener,
/ however. had assumed an Indifferent at
titude, and seemed only half conscious
Of what was being told TO him.
This war is being fought" Don Cor
TINA was saying, "as revolutions have
been fought In Mexico before. It in
wolves only a few, comparatively speak
ing. In month. or a year, It will be
over, Possibly there is more in this war
than is usual with revolutions in Mexico
for il is not altogether a one-man affair.
In which some one aspires to being
president, bat grave issues are at stake.
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