The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-01-28
hTlh he Amssr E Husband

been entered as cadet there. He will
not see that it was the fortune of wal
he makes it personal wrong-Juar
'Cheno always was terco-pig- headed
pig-headed Well. when this youns
Meestair Leencone-a partido all of
the most desirable-asked for Elenita
her father ragged like a renegron.
black jaguar of the jungle. and cover
ed the yOung man with insults. But
Elenita has Of her fathers resolution
she invoked the law Of appeal for low.
ers, and had herself given in care of
General Ealle's family. pending inves-
tigation of the character of her pre-
tendimte, which proved beyond suspi-
cion. SO. in spite of her fathers
prejudice, they were married. Since
then-it is six years-Juan Nepomu-
ceno will hear no mention of Elenita
or of the Americans"
Pablo Melendez wagged his head:
Que lastima. what a pity"
Yes" went on Quintana, land a
pity for the town. too. This new COM
pany to put in good and cheap, but
they would spend much money and
employ some thousand peons-think of
that, in these hard times, But our
State laws require for this the con-
sent of the Jefe Politico, and Juan
'Cheno will not give it, for the en-
presarios are American. And he has
only just been reelected with
naive regret; but we must be silent
the procession begins
Most of the guests had formed in
double file, and, bearing lighted can
dies, they marched through the rooms
and corridors, singing chants, informing
the Litany, and now and then pausing
to ask for posada (lodgings), in imi-
tation of the movements and halts of
the Holy Family. seeking shelter in
Bethlehem of Judea. The uncomfort-
ably stout among the matrons remain
ed seated, to represent the posaderos.
Presently the cura gave his blessing.
that the march might not be prolonged
to fatigue. and so interfere with the
subsequent dancing.
AS the chosen one started TO Law the
babes image in the manger. there was
a stir, whispering, and tittering among
the servants hanging about the court
yard for peeps through the doors.
Then came the clip-clap of light but
decided little steps, and child enter
ed the sala. She looked about five
years old She carried herself with
confidence. She was dressed prettily
and simply. Her face was very fair.
and her long hair was light but her
eyes-"son ojos del pals" (''They are
the eyes Of the country"), said they
who looked upon her.
As If by instinct. she went straight
to Don Juan Nepomuceno.
"Senor," she said, very plainly and
clearly. ~ knocked. and your portero
wished not TO let me come I'm, but
would. And the people in the patio
1 made them let me pass to the sala
they were but servants, and | knew
their master would let me rest here
is ii not so, senor-until Mamacita and
Papacito come to find me- | came out
of the hotel to see the toy-sellers, and
! lost me, and l am very tired and
sleepy"
THE precious child!" "a little Sc
raph." And she has come to seek
posada. like the Santo Ninor' cried
the ladies, moved fairly TO tears by the
little stranger. Child-llke, she swerved
aside. to the waxen image, and touch
ed 1t gently.
1T is mott thought it was a real
baby. but-oh. l know. it is the Holy
Child Why. why. he was tired. too.
and there was no house for him.
But''-she turned back to Don Juan
Nepomuceno with sweetest confidence
you Will take care OF me, for my
Macacita-no. senorT
'Of a truth, then, will, mi alma
my soul ~ said the old caballero; by
this only he in the room had not seen
that the artless face CT the child was
a lovable replica Of his own stern feat
ures; but to find thy parents-tell me
thy name!'
'Oh. they will find me. But my
name is Juana Nepomucena Lincoln v
Mata"-she added her mothers to her
fathers surname in real Spanish fash
ion.
Don Juan Nepomuceno gasped. II
knew not there was a child" he said
TO himself. "and they have given her
my name.''
The iron-mailed hand on the great
street-door changed on the buckler that
was its knocker. A moment later a
voice spoke In the patio, In excellent
Spanish, but with strong foreign ac-
cent:
''Oh. Senior Arriaga, I am glad YOU
chance TO be in the court-you will
kindly bear my messag &c, and spare my
entering to intrude on Senior Mata +?
The gendarme on the corner told me
he saw my little daughter wander i'm
here. We came to the port again to take
ship tomorrow and the child slipped
away from the hotel-we have twenty
men out searching wife Is frantic
with distress and dread. VIII you
kindly bring the little one out to me?"
Don Juan Nepomuceno strobe to the
sala' S door: Carlos Lincoln. you took
my child from me, and yours has
brought her back again. Go quick and
fetch your wife. Your little girl
the old man looked down fondly at the
her posada-her true and rightful
lodging San Francisco Argonaut.
An Impertinent Question.