The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-01-28


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Don Juan Nepomuceno Mata was Civ
ing, as he did every year. novena of
posadas. They had now reached tie
last celebration of the nine-the 9th
Of December To a Northern eye. this
would seem a strange eve Of Christmas.
In the great court yarG of Don Juan
NepomucenO's house q cocoa palm was
rusting; banana trees dropped their
long, silky leaves, with edges whipped
to ribbon frinSes; the intense tropical
moon rays brought out almost rs
sharply as would electric illumination,
the vivid scarlet great whorls of bracts
of tall polnsettias, the Flower Of the
Nativity" pink crepe myrtles made
little clouds of pallor against the
darker heritage; a clarin-the "bugle
bird of tropical Mexico-from his
cage, hung on q column of the long
arched corridor, was pealing his JUDI
liant call, clear as a trumpet blast,
sweet and tender as the tones of a
nightingale.
In the splendid salon Of Don Juan
NepcmucenO were assembled many
persons; most of an extensive paren-
tezco-his kindred-had come. besides
numerous friends. They sat, in decor
Gus stiff rows. on the sofas and chairs
ranged around the wall. after the fash
ion OF the country. Without leaving
their seats, each talked softly TO his
neighbor.
At the farther end of the long sala
was constructed the Nacimiento, de-
sired at this season by every house
holder, whether high or low, of the
faithful. Don Juan Nepomuceno, con-
servative in all things, was a most con-
sistent churchman.
In this house il was luxurious dis
play, this objective alleGory OF the birth
Of the Savior of mankind. Here was
an artificial hillOck. terraced mound
covered with moss, with twigs and
branches that stand for trees, banked
on a firm foundation against the wall
there were the figures OF the three
kings, the magi. the shepherds, with
their flocks and herds; there, in the
little grotto ut the apex, were the Nir-
gin Mary and the reverent, reverend
Joseph; as yet the Nino. the image OF
the sweet Babe Divine, was not visible
1T would be added on this, the last
| night of the posadas. In this Naci-
miento of opulent Don Juan Nepomu
ceno. the trees and moss were not
powdered with flour, but with glitter
Ing. flashing diamond dust; for bits
of crystal. embedded In the moss, TO
initiate lakes and pools. here were
flakes OF rich plate mirror; instead OF
| lighted shreds OF wick, floating in
clay pannikins of rank oil and shining
through colored water in coarse glass
bottles the lights here were scented
tapers, shaded by softly tinted globes
the figurines of angels and men, and
all the lower creatures come to the
Alteration, were not Of cheap. COM
mon clay or wood, but OF costly wax
and porcelain; the canopy Of the vault
overhead was of rich azure silk, and
the stars, sparkling among its yelling
clouds of sheer, fine tuile, were all Of
| precious gems. Yet, rich as 1t was,
beautiful as il was. costly MS it was,
only in cost and finish did this shrine
of Don Nepomuceno differ from the
Nacimientos buiit in thousands of
homes OF the abjecly poor. where the
porters, hucksters washerwOmen, wa
ter carriers. aye. beggars themselves,
sought by direct appeal to the respon-
sive eye of the flesh to revive and
deepen in their hearts the impression
Of the Divine Passion. And. remem-
bering the humble origin and lowly
surroundings of Him whose birth they
thus commemorate, who shall say that
the poorer showing is no. the nearer
to His likeness?
But how the Senior Mata must Law
ish money" said Pablo Melendez, one
of the guests, TO another, Jose Quin-
tana. 1T is easy to see that he has no
children for whom to save. Yet-stay
do | mistake? I seem to remember
is IL not so that he has daugh-
terri
"Hombre, man. pray speak not of
| that :" cried Senior Quintana, who was
resident of the seaport town, know
ing all about their host. whereas Me-
lendez was from the plateau up near
Durango; y is easy. amigo milo. to
see that you are a stranger here, and
know not whereof you speak. Val
game Dios, if Juan Nepomuceno lad
heard you! Why, this subject Of his
daughter is the sOrest Of all topics
Even his confessor dares not mention
her TO him!"
'Yirgen Santissima what All es-
cape" calculated Melendez; and, in
deed such a breach of social tact is
very Serious matter among the Mexican
aristocracy. But, my dear friend-it
is a natural curiosity-we will speak
very low-what, then. of the daughter?
Is it a question Of dishonor?"
"Of disgrace black enough i'm the
eyes Of Juan NepomucenO-yes :" CUR
gled fat Quintana; "of dishonor, no!
DishonOr runs not in the blood Of the
Matas. The thing is that Elenita mar
ried a gringo."
Married an Americana, But how,
then. / fain would marry TO one my
own ROsita-they make excellent hus-
bands for our maidens. Was this one
ill-bred-a pauper? or mala gente-a
bad lot?'
! NO. no! Nothing of that. He is
ingeniero-a civil engineer-you know
how well that profession succeeds In
Mexico in these days. And he has
| nnnnnv of hic nNrn fnornnrnr, Put I1lnn