Evening star., 1936-03-07

| and distinction, that Don JuanS
chicken Is young-indeed, that he has
but recently commenced to crow"
A youthful haciendado, reckless with
his fathers money. cried across to
him: II will take that bet and wager
S to on the magnificent rooster of
Don Pepe. Don Guillermo Guerrero
of the Rancho Naciemento has been
selected to be the holder of all stakes"
Joaquin handed his hundred pesos
every cent he had in the world-to
Den Guillermo Guerrero, who, per-
force, had to be the stake holder, since
he was the only man present save Don
Guam Gilroy. who could write sufi-
GENTLY to record the bet. The combat
was brief. Don Pepe's rooster leaped
high in the air, expecting Don Juan's
inexperienced bird to run under him
and obligingly receive the fatal thrust.
It night be remarked here that few
gamecocks refuse such an invitation.
Don Juan's cock. however, was an ex-
ception. He sidestepped just far
enough to miss the descending gaffs.
whirled and struck. His gaff entered
just under the wing of Don Pepe's
champion and pierced the latter's liver.
With a despairing squawk he fell over
on his side, whereupon Don Juan's
bird leaped upon him and struck him
with both gaffs repeatedly. The ref
cree lifted him off the dying bird and
the victor crowed.
Joaquin walked to the table where
Don Guillermo sat. presented his ticket
and was handed 600 pesos. After din
ner that night the young man who had
lost to him sought to recover his loss
and invited Joaquin, whom he sup.
posed to be the son of some distant
haciendado. to sit in a monte game
with him and three others. When the
game ceased, just before breakfast,
Joaquin had 1900 Mexican pesos and
$4,000 in United States gold. This
treasure he begged Don Juan Gilroy to
place in the latter's strong box and
care for it until his return, request
readily complied with by the easy
going Gilroy, who gave him receipt
for it. since in that day banks were
unknown. Indeed. thieves were prac-
tically non-existent. They came later.
with the Gringo invasion.
AS Gilroy spelled out Joaquin's name
on the receipt he paused suddenly and
looked up at the young man.
You speak quite good English,
Murietta. Where did you learn it?"
I'm Sonora, senor, for three years
was employed as timekeeper at
mine operated by Americanos."
You have some education?"
"Muy poco-a leetle. Not very
mooch, the Eeenglish. but the Span
ish-pretty gid. There was school,
teacher to the mine for teach the
cheeldren of the Americanos. She
help me-"
You are fortunate. young man.
Very few of your countrymen in Cali
fornia speak any English and even
the gente de razon are practically all
illiterate. Don't you drink, my boy.
and don't you gamble. 1t is the curse
of your people. Keep your nose clean
and one day you will be haciendado,
| too So you come from Sonora, eh?"
Isl, senor."
There was a splendid fellow from
Sonora who worked for me two years
ago. His name was Jesus Murietta.
He had his mother with him. The
old lady was blind"
MY brother and my madre?" Joa-
quin cried excitedly. Il look for them.
Where is he, my brother and my
madre?"
He is employed by John Sutter at
Suffers Fort, far up the Sacramento.
Sutter wanted good man to look
after his cattle and I recommended
Jesus. He was good man and de-
served better employment than I
had for him"
Impulsively. Joaquin dropped on
one knee. grasped Gilroy's hand and
kissed it. Never, never, weel forget
the so-great kindness of the senor
The senior commands me always.
He have breeng beeg happiness to my
| heart"
| Glad to have helped you out. SON.
Adios and heed my advice. No drink
ing and no gambling. You're the best
thee-card monte player I have ever
seen. but-remember-always there is
somewhere better player"
II Weel remember, senor. How
could I forget what the so-kind senor
tells me in kindness. May Christ and
His blessed mother protect thee and
thy house" he added, breaking into
Spanish. Il depart now with my
| heart singing. Adios, senor"
"Vaya usted con Dios." said Gilroy.
| (C,o uitn yo,, coj