Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-01-06
A Tragedy Of Pride.

Don Rafael AIvarado, wealthy cit
izen Of Mexico, claimed descent from
that Alvarado who made the famous
leap across the break In the causeway
when Cortez's army reiterated from
the capitol. Don Rafael's ancestors
had acquired large tract Of land IN
ancient Tlascala. one OF the Mexican
provinces. and one of them at one time
owned gold mine. In Don Rafaefs
youth the family wealth had been very
great, and wealth and ancestry are the
father and mother Of pride. The young
man was brought up to consider no one
in Mexico his equal. that Mexico was
made especially for the Alvarados and
that an Alvarado could not accept a
favor or withhold one.
Don Rafael lived on his hacienda,
large estate that remained from the
original grant Of the king Of Spain.
From his walls the portraits Of bis
ancestors looked down on him. all
seeming to say the same words. RE
member that you are an Alvarado.
Covering one end Of the banquet room
was a painting Of the original Alvara-
do making the wonderful leap.
Don Rafael upon his accession to the
property began to Guido any Of bis
progenitors In spiendor Of living and
hospitality. He had q sister, Dona
Isabel. who was an especially attrac-
tive feature In his home. She attempt
ed to check her brother in bis extrav-
agance, pointing out to him that those
be was entertaining were bleeding him
and at the rate he was proceeding be
would soon have nothing left. But her
warning was Of no avail. Some Of the
guests taught their host gambling
games, others borrowed money. Both
methods were employed to impoverish
him. Gradually his bank account melt
ed away, his revenues became mort
saged, and at last ruin stared him 10
the face.
About this time came very DIFF
ferent sort Of guest from the others,
George Wallace. young American OF
considerable means and graduate OF
school of mining engineering. He
had gone to Mexico to examine q mine
for some New York capitalists, with a
view to keeping lookout for Other
mines in which to make Investments
himself. He found treasure of an
other kind. Dona Isabel, and straight
way proceeded to fall in love with her.
His love was returned. and Don Ra-
fael, though he considered no one
either in Mexico or the United States
good enough to marry his sister. con-
serted to the match.
Something troubled the girl. which
did not escape the attention of her low
er. He pressed her for 1t. and she at
last confessed that her brother was
financially in a desperate condition.
After having tied up his resources he
had mortgaged his hacienda. and the
mortgage was about to be foreclosad
Wallace, actuated by love and natural
noble impulses, went straight to Don
Rafael, told him that he had that day
received large remittance from New
York which he had drawn In gold
and had upstairs in his room. The
amount was sufficient to lift the mort
gage. and Wallace offered to loan II
to his host without security. The only
condition he made was that Don Ra
fael should thereafter listen to the ad
vice Of his sister. dismiss the vampires
who were preying upon him and ell
deavor to straighten his affairs.
Wallace did not doubt that the man
hn hod IN IN. hnl would thank
fully accede to his terms. He was dis
appointed Don Rafael showed a
thorough appreciation of the kindly
interest that prompted the offer. but
pride, the trait that dominated the AL
varados. prevented his accepting the
loan.
81 owe you world of thanks" he
said. "but an Alvarado cannot accept
a favor. What would these. my ances-
tors, think of me il should accept
money from my sisters lover?'
Wallace argued with him, pointing
out to him the ruin that was about to
fall upon him and its influence on his
future life. all to no purpose. He
could not break the mans pride. He
was obliged to go to Dona Isabe! and
tell her that he had made the offer.
but had failed to effect its acceptance.
That night Wallace was suddenly
awakened from sleep by hearing a
noise in his room as IL some one had
stumbled against piece of furniture.
He listened, but all was quiet. Match
es were on stand beside his bed, and