The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-10-30
By EDWARD HOLLYWOOD
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey c.

| AS III the sky had mySterl0uSly ulS-
charged him. Foghorn Fernando APP
peared for the first time In the village
Of Dolcuela one morning about 4
o'clock and demanded admission to the
Pacific hotel. At that hour the sky was
actually discharging the plump rain
drops of tropical thunder shower.
Over his breakfast table Colonel
Hopapple. the landlord. described to
his guests the strangers advent.
Judge Sloat. disbarred attorney
from Los Angeles. ~ ested. LET US
look over this person" and they went
to the sunny courtyard to inspect the
new arrival.
He was leaning against a cart wheel
and gazing sadly ut Hopapple's aged
pair OF mules as they dozed in their
rope harness. Cross examined, he gave
the name Of Fernando. He sought en-
ployment
How comes an honest man out OF
work." asked the colonel unreason-
ably.
How. in TRUTH" retorted Fernando
How keep not the job? Alas! Aye!
1t is some curse. | toll. | slave But.
listen. | recount to you,''
The forthcoming torrent OF words
was not in the least ineligible, but
soon the disconsolate orator seemed to
be attempting. and with prospect Of
success. to make his story audible to
the entire county of San Bernardino.
'Ho-lee smOke"' blurted the Judge
us that q human throat or steam
whistle "
"Car-r.r-ramba" roared Fernando.
filing his lungs for final effort.
His shrek of woe was OF miraculous
volume. and the mules instantly tossed
their venerable heels at the horizon
and flew. panic stricken, out of the
court. The crowd josted through the
gate in pursuit. while Colonel Hop.
apple. who had been knocked over by
the runaways. addressed Fernando
warmly.
"Consarn it. why did you howl like
thatT" said he.
"Ah, | was excite in the head" eX-
planned the little Mexican. Always
when | am excite then must talk
with strength. But look. senior! But
regard! The mulos. they come back
on us already!'
Between the blacksmith's and the
hotel was Dolcuela's dry goods dis
trict. consisting Of Tomas MonZon's
ctn tba s,to
emerged MonZon's daughter. Miss
Anita. a large lady Of an indolent
mind. Physically and mentally Anita
moved slowly and there stood. as If
paralyZed in the path Of danger.
1t was little Fernando who scurried
first to her side and stopped the mules.
That afternoon Fernando was hired
as assistant clerk in Tomas Monzon's
store.
Foghorn Fernando proved pref
ty good clerk.
At the end Of two weeks he received
his first wages and promptly proposed
to Anita behind a stack Of ginghams.
I'VE shall see." temporized Anita.
and she allowed him to kiss her club
by hand. Then she dropped her eye
lashes tenderly and left Foghorn alone
in paradise behind the ginghams.
where he commenced to mutter rap
turously to himself
IL am going to marry with your
daughter" he announced to Tomas
Monzon.
"You-you." jabbered Monzon. turn.
ing a vivid purple. you shall marry
with my broomstick. that is ALL" and
he pushed Fernando into the plaza by
means Of that inglorious weapon.
1t happened that the Punishment was
witnessed by Padre Bonar. whose kind
heart was touched by the exile's de-
spair. The priest Immediately con.
voyed Fernando to the mission and as
signed him to the various duties of
handy man,
In his new surroundings Foghorn
worked hard and took new hope in re.
spect to Anita Monzon.
One Sunday morning before the serv.
ice he cOntrived to whisper to Anita in
the chapel porch.
us your love awaiting for me. most
adorable?" breathed Fernando.
She nodded sweetly and returned
the secret clasp of his hand beneath
the folds Of her mantilla. Fernando
nearly tainted with delight as he
climbed the ladder to the little organ
loft. where his business was to pump
the decrepit bellows.
When the service was ended he leap.
ed over the rail of the gallery. There
sat his Anita directly beneath him. and
Foghorn In an ecstasy Of pride gazed
down at her ample shoulders. The
joy of ownership filed Fernando's
soul. and his lips moved, framing soft
endearments. Suddenly - what was
this?
The pew next 10 Miss Monzon's was
occupied that morning by Judge Sloat.
and now. in horror. Fernando saw the
false Anltn's hand steal invitingly to-
ward the judge and saw the judicial
fingers meet and caress It without ap-
parent objection on the lady's part.