The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1914-02-13


in Pedro Fuentes' alfalfa field, al
though the corral gate had been Sc
curely tied, Senior Fuentes appeared
with suspicious alacrity to collect
damages.
The last straw was the request of
Sonora Lula Montejo for five cents
in payment for a cup of Chili-sauce
which she had sent Nan as a gift some
days before.
~ opine that our popularity is on
the wane," said Nan dryly as she laid
the coin in that lady's outstretched
hand I'm fact, if straws show which
way the wind blows, I predict that a
storm is Coming
Mrs. Gallagher, on her sheepskin
with her knees drawn to her chin,
made no reply.
1t was small matter, it seemed to
Nan, to have caused such feeling, but
at that time and in that village it re-
quired but small matter to arouse in
the Mexicans the always smouldering
hatred of the Americanos.
Therefore, in view of the prevailing
unfriendliness, Nan was surprised to
see Dona Mariana Apedaca whip her
spindling leg over the bars which
served as gate before Mans end of
the dobe, and to note that although
| the thermometer registered trifie
short = of 100 in the shade, Dona
Marianna's solemn countenance was
| framed in her best blank et-shawl,
which fact at once proclaimed it a
visit of import.
When she had settled herself on her
heels, with her back braced comfort
ably against the wall, in preference
to the chair which Nan offered her,
she introduced the topics which were
always discussed as a matter of form
before the real object of visit was
disclosed.
| "Muy viento" said the Dona Ma
rianna profoundly as she produced n
tobacco sack from the capacious
pocket of her vivid green skirt.
| Eyes, much Wind Nan agreed with
equal profundity.
merry caliente." Dona Mariana
twisted cigarette, with immense
gravity.
| every hot" Nan assented
| "Muchas moscas. The caller wag-
ged her head.
"Many flies" Nan assented to the
deplorable fact.
| The demands of local etiquette
having been satisfied, the visitor
paused impressively and then de-
manded ENORMOUSLY, Mrs. Gallagher
translating:
| 1.-THE senorita will attend a bale,
yes? How much money will the
serorita donate toward the dance
music? Twenty dollars. maybe?"
| Nan could not suppress smile. The
neat little plan to have a dance at her
expense was rather transparent, since
| the entire cost of the gifted school
masters orchestra for an evening was
but $40, as she happened to know.
Nan considered. If the injured feel
lings of Las Rubertas could be as
suaged for this modest sum she was
disposed to give it, Also it might buy
! immunity from their thieving.
at is a pleasure" she said with an
Junction truly Spanish, ito be permit
ted to contribute toward the enjoy
ment of my many good friends in Las
| Rubertas."
The reply Lost nothing of it's irony
when interpreted by Mrs. Gallagher.
| Dona Mariana blinked her solemn
eyes, but took the money which Nan
produced and departed with haste
which, to phrase it mildly, was un-
kceremonious
! Immediately the news that the bale
was assured spread throughout the
village and reached the most remote
family within a radius of $50 miles
1t was the one topic of conversation
in 'dobes which nestled in lonely
bcsques, and tumble-down huts hud-
Idiing in sun-baked arroyos, while 1t is
no exaggeration to say that the whole
| of Las Rubertas was aquiver.
They chortled at the thought that a
| gringo was paying for their pleasure
fer, like other inferior races, the low
caste Mexicans invariably mistake
| generosity for weakness, and Nan, in
thinking to buy immunity from theii
thieving, was reckoning upon persons
4 who "a a class are devoid of graft