The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-10-25
CHAPTER XII

fore dinner she, Carmen and Bowie
became involved in rather sharp
conversation. Ysabel's sharp tongue
had pricked the Texans sensibili-
ties. She said exactly what she
pleased and had positive opinions.
Some of these Bowie disliked but
made little effort to oppose-his
mind was filled with other reflec-
tons. Once or twice, indeed, he
did openly disagree with her.
His objections precipitated live
ly discussion between the two. Once,
when this seemed to threaten the
peace of the trio, Carmen interviewed
on Bowie's side. This resulted in
pointed reprimand from Tia Ysabel,
who objected to callow girls ex-
pressing views on any subject.
Both Carmen and Bowie laughed
this off. He noticed how pleasant
it was to be laughing with her
then he hardened his heart. Car
men, too, found something agree
able in siding with her rejected
sutton. After all-it was just
thought-perhaps she had decided
rather quickly.
Following dinner, the embers of
the fires of the conversation famed
in the living room. After mild eff
forts on the part of the peaceable
host and hostess to check the heat
of Auntie, they gave up, and Tia
ISABEL held forth.
"Senor Bowie and I were talking
about Mexico and Texas this after
noon," said ISABEL to Don Ramon.
81 hope you agreed on every
thing" responded her brother
peacefully.
''If you said disagreed Senior
Bowie and I could agree on one
point at least. He is very courte-
GUS antagonist, and admire his
sincerity. But I tell him-he is so
much younger than THAT he has
some things to learn. This republic
of Texas, do you know what is be-
hind it all, Don Ramon?"
''No, and to tell the truth, dear
sister, am not vitality interested to
know"
'tBut' you should bel" bristled Tia
ISABEL. 81 have been told that that
republic has even sent emissaries to
California to suggest that we join
the insurrectos Can you imagine?"
Bowie, who had lighted a ciga-
rette, gazed innocently and thought
fully into the fire. whats behind
that Texas rebellion is this" con-
tinued the fast-tongued spinster. IA
junta of proslavery American poll
ticians cooked up scheme to set
up a slavery empire in the South,
taking in Texas and Cuba, mind you,
and splitting away from the United
States. Spanish laws are so old
! fashioned and degrading that they
forbid human slavery: hence these
high-minded Texas patriots struck
off the base shackles of Mexico and
Spanish law so they could have a
nice little slavery empire of their
own! Well, Senior Bowie knew MOTH
ing of all this, but it is the truth.
His heroes have clay feet"
Bowie sat unmoved. "Most he
| roes have" he said calmly. "Dona
ISABEL states the Mexican side well !;
but it is only one side. The Ameri-
cans could say something too"
"But would anybody believe
them? Look at their record. Haven't
they robbed everyone they could lay
their hands on?" she exclaimed,
biting off her words. ''The poor
Indians-how haven't they been
plundered! Look at poor Mexico!
Robbed Of Texas. Now they try to
lay hands on Mexican California!
Heaven forbid! They will currupt
our people and ruin our civiliza-
toni"
"Ysabel!" protested Don Ramon
with dignity. "Spare us. You seem
to forget the presence of our own
Americana.
Bowie raised his hand. Pardon,
Don Ramon" he interposed lazily,
eff you refer by chance to me, am
not an American" A restrained but
growing emphasis marked his words
as he added, II am a Tejano, a
citizen of the republic of Texas
something quite different"
Different" snapped Tia ISABEL,
sbut no better. A land of rebels
Texas!" she exclaimed contemptu-
ously.
Bowie was hard to ruffle-out-
wardly. "Rebels, if you WILL" he
retorted evenly. "But at the worst.
rebels against a vile government.
Our Tejanos should have marched
on Mexico City and horsewhipped
every member of the disreputable
junta. I would except only Santa
Ana. He shouldn't be horsewhipped.
He should be torn to pieces by wild
horses. I beg, Don Ramon, that I
may be excused" he added coolly.
81 have orders to give for the round
up tomorrow"
His withdrawal left Dona Ysabel
somewhat nonplused. But her re-
sourcefulness did not desert her.
Certainly" she observed magiste-
rally, "the young Tejano has
spirit"
"You have hurt him, ISABEL. :"
demonstrated Don Ramon.