The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-06-12

DE Lancey, who always constituted
himself the board of strategy. "Jusl
rambling around a little-how's the
country around here now"
"Oh, quiet, Quiet!" assured their
host. "These Mexicans don't like the
cold weather much-they, would freeze
you know, if it was not for that zarape
which they wind about them sol"
He made motion as of a native
wrapping his entire wardrobe about
his neck and smiled, and De Lancey
knew that he was no Mexican. And
yet that soft (which away" Of his be-
trayed Spanish tongue.
"Ah, excuse me-" he said, taking
quick advantage of his guess, but
from the way you pronounce that word
'zarape' take it that you speak Span
fish,"
mo one BETTER" replied the host,
| smiling pleasantly at being taken at
his true worth, "since | was born in
the city of Burgos, where they speak
the true Castilian. 1t is a different
language, believe me, from this bas-
tard Mexican tongue. And do you
speak Spanish also?" he inquired,
falling back into the staccato of Cas-
tile.
No indeed" protested De Lancey in
a very creditable imitation; nothing
but little Mexican, to get along with
the natives. My friend and l are min
ing men, passing through the country,
and we speak the best we can. How
Is this district here for work along our
line?"
None better!" cried the Spaniard,
shaking his finger emphatically. 1T
is Of the best, and, believe me, my
friend, we should be glad to have you
stop with us. The country down be-
low is a little dangerous-not now,
perhaps, but later, when the warm
weather comes on.
''But in Fortuna-no! Here We are
on the railroad; the camp is controlled
by Americans; and because so many
have left the country the Mexicans
will sell their prospects cheap.
Then again, if you develop a mine
near by, it will be very easy to sell it
and if you wish to work it, that is
easy, too. l am only the proprietor of
the hotel, but if you can use my poor
services in any way shall be very
happy to please you. A room? One
of the best And if you stay week
or more l will give you the lowest
rate"
They passed up the winding stairs
and down a long. corridor, at the end
Of which the proprietor showed them
into a room, throwing open the outer
doors and shutters to let them see the
view from the window.
Here is little balcony" he said,
stepping outside, where you can sit
and look down on the plaza. We have
the band and music when the weather
is fine, and you can watch the pretty
girls from here. But you have been in
Mexico-you know all that!" And he
gave Phil roguish dig.
"Bien, my frien', I am glad to meet
YOU" He held out his hand in well
come and De Lancey gave his in re-
turn. my name," he continued, lis
Juan de Dios Brachamonte y Escalon;
but with these Americans that does
not go, as you say. SO in general they
call me Don Juan.
There is something about that
name-I do not know-that makes the
college boys laugh. Perhaps it is that
poet, Byron, who wrote 30 scandalous-
ly about US Spaniards, but certainly
he knew nothing of our language, for
he rhymes Don Juan with new one and
true one!' Still, read part of that
poem and it is, in places, very interest
ing-yes, very interesting-but Don
Joo-an!' Hail"
He threw up his hand in despair and
De Lancey broke into jollying laugh.
well, Don Juan" he cried, I'm glad
to meet you. My name is Philip De
Lancey and my pardner here is Mr..
Hooker. Shake hands with him, Don
Juan de Dios! But certainly man SO
devoutly named could never descend
to reading much Of Don Joo-an!"
"Ah, no. protested Don Juan, roll
ing his dark eyes and smiling rakishly,
mot moch-only the most interesting
passages!"
He saluted and disappeared in roar
of laughter, and De Lancey turned
triumphantly on his companion, self
satisfied smile upon his lips.
"Aha!" he said; you see? That's
what five dollars worth of booze will
do in opening up the way. Here's our
old friend Don Juan willing, nay, anx.
ious, to help us all he can-he sees I'm
a live wire and wants to keep me |
around. Pretty soon we'll get him
feeling good and he'll tell us all he
knows. Don't you never try to make
me sign the pledge again, brother
a few shots just gets my intellect
to working right and I'm crafty as
q fox.
did you notice that coup l made
asking him II he was q Spaniard?
There's nothing in the world makes a
Spaniard so mad as to take him for a
the other hand, nothing
4. Iii