The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
Spdnisk Ameyiran CiUilixafion
 in Lone Star Sfafe Of Old Days

wonders why the bell for mass has not been runE as yet ThouGi, Jose. . convert, is supposed 10 do this, he is Responsible for this part of the daily routine. He is . newcomer. Ths bowling of coyotes throughout the night has disturbed his sleep considerably. and for this reason he is not in the best of humors f.'
 ~Jose. Jostrs he shouts, "thou lag gard. how Is 1t that thou failest agasp to ring the bell at sunrise7''
 Jose, Joser" he shouts thou lag night relapsed into heyesy he has sought the sweet freedom of the chaparral. once more Brother An- tonio shouts and then getting still 10 answer. he climbs to the belfry.
 The successfon Of high-pitched notes travelling over the chaparral in the brisk morning air soon brings every one within and without the Mission to stir Juan, another Indian convert, rises fron. his straw pallet. v'i2ss 2 grin1y hand across his half-closed eyes. indulges in a cavernous yawn. and then makes his way toward the chapel entrance, He Is still very slee- py. All day yesterday he had been cleaning aut the acsauIe whioh Lad become lchoked with weeds and mud. and today he is not in the best pos- sfble frame of mind.
 He is also little absent minded. Day before yesterday there arrived at the mission Q young Tlascalan belle. She has stricken his heart somewhat and even now he can see the spark of her bright black eyes. and the warm color on her brown cheeks. or a sudden Juan bumps into somebody and before he knows what has hap pened, he looks at the naughty form of soidado. swashbuclsier of the worst kind.
 .He thou son ofs perdition." say that worthy as he furiously twirls his long moustachios. what mean you by thus throwing yourself against me? Lont. how dare you run into a soldier of Castillo. By San Jago I will see that Padre Francis will add fo the stripes he intends to lay upon yonr back for having cast sly glances at the maid of Tiascaia."
 Back Marked With Stripes.
 Perhaps senor soldado kept his word. and after Mass when ths voang Indian rests in the dust on all fours while the padre marks his back with bizarre designs in high relief. 1t oc- CUTS to him that the number of stripes failing to his lot is unusually great. and harder to bear that eyer.
 Throughout the-day Juan works in the field. He is hoeing corn. It Is very hot, and the work is not entirely to his liking. To him then occurs the idea that escape. could be easily man aged. He is fleet of foot. and once within the chaparral 1t would be inn possible to sovertake him on horse- back For some moments Juan Is lost in thought. There is really nothing . hn hfxrlx But soon he arrives at another con clusion. The padre has told him that his God Is mightier than all others to- gether. How this can be Is as yet not quite clear to Juan. but the padre has such convincing way of saying this. that after all there may be something in it. StiIf. he does not fear this spir- livery much; what he really is afraid of is the padre. He Is such a powerful man, being in direct communication with the Spirit. that his wrath is iia- ble to reach Juan no matter where he may go Then, there are the services at the chapel He Is rather fond of them. and what Is more. he would find scant welcome with his tribe. So Juan stays. Ultimately he is married to a maiden of his own race. and be- comes a fixture at the Mission.
 After vespers the catechumens and the converts assemble under the trees on the bank of the river. and senliven the scene with the singing of canticies and the recital Of prayers. At bed- time the unmarried young bucks are locked into one building. and the mSiaens into another. for so far not all the commandments are kept by them.
 Padre Antonio locks the door of the chanel exchanges a word with the guard. casts a longing look in the direction of Spain and Mexico and seeks the comforts of his pallet