Classic Audiobook Collection - Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler ~ Full Audiobook [history]

Episode Date: October 21, 2025

Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler audiobook. Genre: history Our Little Mexican Cousin invites listeners into Mexico at the start of the twentieth century through the lively viewpoint of Juanita, a young girl whose ordinary days become a doorway to a whole world of history, customs, and place. From New Year celebrations to schoolroom routines, Juanita and her friends move through a city of markets, family visits, and neighborhood pastimes, where manners, meals, and faith are woven into daily life. As Juanita learns skills expected of her, from careful handiwork to social graces, she also discovers the wider landscape beyond her doorstep, including famous sights and a memorable journey toward the great volcano Popocatepetl. Edward Crompton Butler shapes the book as a series of vivid episodes, each one rich with detail: the sounds of street life, the warmth of family traditions, and the colorful pageantry of feasts and flowers. Part travel portrait, part coming-of-age sketch, this classic makes a foreign country feel close and knowable, offering an affectionate, observant look at childhood, community, and a changing nation. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 00 (00:02:56) Chapter 01 (00:17:55) Chapter 02 (00:28:24) Chapter 03 (00:41:19) Chapter 04 (00:55:34) Chapter 05 (01:13:37) Chapter 06 (01:23:51) Chapter 07 (01:32:40) Chapter 08 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Little Mexican C. Butler Preface One generation ago, American histories pictured Mexico as a land of volcanoes and palms, cathedrals, bandits, and revolutions, and a dark-eyed race riding about in stages. Even in 1874, railroads and telegraphs, the veins and nerves of a nation, were unknown, and New York. was a fortnight steamer ride from Mexico City.

Today, they are but 100 hours apart. Bandits and revolutions are now unknown, the only revolutions being of carwheels and machinery belting. The mental revolution includes the boys and girls of Mexico. Family life, formerly intimate and conservative, broadens and the old-time interdependence gives way to independence. English is now spoken by the youth.

In fact, they are more ambitious to learn English than their American cousins to learn Spanish. Lads and lassies of this lovely land are sent to American schools to finish their education. They return with American ideas. The boys are as enthusiastic over baseball and football as are the American boys. The girls fraternize

freely with foreign playmates. Surely our little Mexican cousin now lives in a new morning of thought, on the threshold of modernizing ideas and at the open door of expectant promise and radiant possibility. The siesta and the fiesta fade. The manana habit is being forgotten and a mutual respect and regard increasingly unite the Mexicans and Americans. In 1894, the writer, a secretary of the American legation, in conversation with President Porfirio Diaz, heard him call the United States Mexico's Big Brother. God grant that this

big brother may always treat his Mexican sister with gallantry and kindness, thus helping her to work out her own wonderful destiny. End of Preface Chapter 1 of Our Little Mexican C. C. Butler This Liebervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Sue Gill The New Year

On New Year's Eve, Juanita had been allowed to sit up long past her usual bedtime, that she might enjoy the celebration of the holiday, as well as take part in the religious observances. To Juanita, the latter were no less important than the former, for she belonged to a devout Roman Catholic family. With them, holy days and holidays were one and the same thing, and the Mexicans have a great many of them. Juanita's father, Alvaro Jimenez,

was a merchant of the city of Mexico and the home he had provided for his family was all that a moderate income, combined with good taste, could command. The big door of this home opened on a tiled entrance leading to a lovely garden. A large palm rose in the center, its fronded leaves gracefully falling over beds of violets,

heliotrope, and pansies. A brilliant bugavilia vine, serice in color, trailed along one side of the wall like a rich robe instinct with life. A broad, tessellated corridor ran around the garden. This patio, or court, was open to the sky, as is common in Mexican homes, and sunshine and light thus reached all the rooms. The parlor was a stately room.

The chairs lined up on each side of the sofa, so the men could sit on one side and the women on the other. Of course, all the rooms were comfortably furnished, but one of the most interesting in the house was the kitchen. The Mexican kitchen is always provided with a bracero, or range built a bricks, about three feet high and from three to six feet wide. On the top are two or more square openings, each containing a grate, and underneath the grate is an open place to furnish draught

and from which to collect the ashes. Charcoal is used in the braceros. The earthen pots and iron kettles are placed on the burning coals and meals are therefore cooked in a very short time. The Mexican cook can thus prepare three or four articles at once. No stove pipes are used, and the walls of the kitchen are soon very black from the smoke. Sometimes a brick oven is built apart from the bracerro.

When the family has no oven, the cook puts the food in a dish with a piece of sheet iron on top covered with hot coals, thus cooking underneath and above. Though weary, Juanita was very happy on the morning of New Year's Day. The celebration of the previous evening was fresh in her mind and childlike her imaginative. ran riot. At midnight with her parents, she had attended Mass in the Great Cathedral. The privilege of celebrating midnight mass on New Year's Eve was granted to the Mexicans by Pope Leo the 13th. Hence, the Mexican churches are filled with devout people as they approach the threshold of the new year. On the first day of the year, special services are held, on which occasion a pontifical

mass is had, commencing at 9 o'clock in the forenoon. Early in the evening before this midnight service, the Jimenez family had partaken of a supper prepared with unusual care and generosity, at which several guests, old and young, were welcome visitors. The intervening hours were occupied by cheerful conversation and social games. In the latter, you may be sure Juanita took an active and joyous part. In the homes of some of Juanita's friends, where there was less observance of religious rights, entertainments and midnight suppers were given. Peculiar ceremonies were performed. When the cathedral clock struck midnight, the moment on which the old and the new hinged,

A pretty girl from among the number present poured a bottle of champagne over a porcelain thus christening the new year. Then the orchestra struck up and everybody danced. In some other homes, there was a more gruesome celebration of the passing of the old year. All the members of the company were dressed in black. Upon a table in the center, candles surrounded a small coffin, upon which was a clock set so as to stop when it reached the hour of midnight. At just that moment the clock was put into the coffin and buried in the garden, or Patio, as if it were a dead person. Strange as it may seem, the Mexican children, as well as older people, found much fun in this ceremony, and after the mocked, funeral all engaged in dancing. Throughout the place, a noisy welcome was given to the new year.

When the great bell struck the hour of 12, the entire city seemed to give a great throb. Bells all over the city took up the new story. Steam whistles were let loose in all the factories and during the traditional five minutes that are supposed to cover the eternal confounding of the old, and the exaltation of the new year, small boys went through the streets blowing horns and shooting off firecrackers. Like the children of many lands, as well as like some children of a larger growth,

Juanita made some good resolutions at the beginning of this new year. Among them was a purpose to be helpful to those who were not so happily or so pleasantly situated. She set about to carry out this purpose at once and went to call on her friend Rosa Alvarez, with the express purpose of inviting her home to dinner that day. This was entirely in keeping with the hospitable Mexican's idea of beginning the new year. Juanita and Rosa were very close friends.

The Rosa's father was a man of much more humble occupation than Signor Jimini, He was a carpenter by trade. He earned a dollar 50 Mexican money per day, or about 75 cents in American currency. Her mother was an industrious woman, and in order to add to the income of the family, she took in laundry work. The Alvarez family was, however, a happy one. The father was not given to pulke drinking or gambling, like some of his neighbors, and he spent no money on lottery tickets, cockfights, or bullfights. He was a plain, practical man, not given to extravagance, and while some of his fellow workmen had their belongings in pawn most of the time, this industrious artisan was saving money,

and rightly expected some day to exchange his vivienda, tenement flat, of four rooms for a home of his own in the store, suburbs of the city. Juanita found Rosa at home. She well deserved the pretty name that had been given her. She was a girl ten years of age, with hair as black as the polished wing of a raven, deep dark eyes and a complexion like a blush rose. Like many Mexican children, she also had pretty teeth. Juanita's own name had been given her because she was so petite and Sympatica, the last, a term that is scarcely translatable, but which means popular, lovable, etc. Juanita also found at home Rosa's younger brother Francisco, who was commonly called

by his nickname Panchito. He was invited by Juanita to dine with Rosa at the Jimenez home. You may be sure the invitation was gladly accepted, for rarely did the rarely did the moment. You may be sure the invitation was gladly accepted, for rarely did they have an opportunity for such a pleasant time. As Juanita ran along with her little friends, she stooped to pick a deep pink rosebud, which she laughingly pressed to the blushing cheek of her playmate, as if to see which rose was the loveliest. Juanita was not as pretty as Rosa, but she was so entirely unselfish that no envy entered her happy thought. The children gathered little yellow roses and red roses from Juanita's garden, entwining them with honeysuckle, and into the center of the blooming, blushing flowers,

they set a couple of glorious gladioli. Come right into the house, said Juanita, as they arrived at the door of the Kiminas home. It is now noon, and I think our dinner will be all ready. We are to eat by ourselves, as Papa is at the store, and Mama is not in just now. So Rosa and Panchito followed their hostess into the sunny dining room, where they found the table well laden with good things. The tramp had given the children splendid appetites, and they enjoyed their dinner very much. vegetable soup was first served, then egg omelet, with rice cooked with tomatoes. They had roasted veal and potatoes with lettuce salad. But the dish of the day was mole, a spicy food made up with turkey or chicken,

and prepared with a sauce which had numerous ingredients, such as tomatoes, chili peppers of two kinds, cloves, chocolate, cumin, raisins, almonds, garlic, and one or two other spices. It was eaten with tortillas, the flat unleavened bread of the lower classes in Mexico, which is just like the Chupadis of India and other eastern countries. Then the children had a course of friholes, Mexican beans, while the dessert was composed of fruit jellies and custards, with seasoned gelatines.

The sweet meats were in fancy shapes, and Mexican children, like all others, are very fond of their dulces. When the children had been given their dulces, Juanita suggested that they sit out upon the balcony, to which there was entrance from the dining room through a low window. Here they could enjoy the fresh air

and watch with childish pleasure, the changing scenes of the Mexican street. The children handed some of the Dulcees out through the bars of the balcony to the poor children who stood around suggestively. Duleses is the one word that carries more suggestion to the hearts of Mexican children than almost any other in their language.

The homemade candies, which had been provided for Juanita and her friends, were made from Mexican sugar, which is the best in the world, though American sugar is imported for the manufacture of American confectionery. On all family or social occasions, dulces are passed around on small trays or plates.

Birthdays, saints' days, and dances are always thus sweetened. The native confectionery includes even fruits and sweet potatoes cooked in syrup and encrusted in sugar. These Mexicans did not chew gum, though millions of pounds of the product of the Zapote tree are annually consumed by young Americans. Among the children who were thus remembered by Juanita and her little friends were some newsboys. Newsboys were unknown in Mexico ten years ago, but these busy, noisy little fellows are now found everywhere. Poor, ragged, and often hungry, but always resourceful,

this waif of the byways will shout the names of his papers, but is not allowed to yell their contents, as his American cousin does. Panchito knew very well how sharp was the Mexican newsboys' struggle for existence, for on some occasions he had sold papers himself. Like Panchito, Many of these youngsters had parents living, but they took no more than a passing interest in their children. The Mexican newsboy does not get his name registered in the accident books of the police. He is too wide awake for that.

Even among these children of five to seven years of age, the instinct of self-preservation is well grounded, and the passing carriages and streetcars have no terror. for him. The street belongs to him, and no stray dog knows better than he the art of getting out of the road. Their sweetmeats consumed, Rosa and Pancito remained with Juanita a part of the afternoon, passing the time in simple childish games. When they finally went to their more humble home, there were at least three very happy children in the city of Mexico. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Our Little Mexican C. C. Butler.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by Sue Gill At School Come now, my little daughter. School begins today. and it is high time. You were up and getting ready for it. These were the first words Juanita heard on the Monday morning following New Year's Day. As she opened her eyes, she saw her mother's smiling face over her.

The girl knew that though the face was pleasant and the tone a cheery one, her mother's words were not to be lightly regarded. So she quickly hopped out of bed and got ready for her. breakfast. She was the more willing to do this because though she liked to play as well as anyone, she loved to go to school and enjoyed there the companionship of other children her own age. She also appreciated the opportunity which was afforded her to learn those things which would help her make her life useful to herself and to others. Juanita was able to see how by faithful application to her studies, she would be better and able to carry out her New Year's resolution

of helpfulness to the less fortunate. With a goodbye kiss from Mama, Juanita started in good season for the schoolhouse, which was only a few blocks distant. She went a little out of her way, however, to call on her friends Rosa and Panchito. There were about 50 children at the opening day, as they went in each boy or girl ran up to the teacher to salute her. The girls kissed her and the boys bowed and said, Buenos Aires. They all brought her lovely flowers from the elegant and expensive camellias and gardenias, down to the poppies, dahlias, and daisies. Rich or poor, each pupil brought some floral offering to the teacher.

On this opening day, the children found it hard to get down to routine work. That they might not get too uneasy, and thus disturbed the order of the school, the teacher took a little time to tell them something about the early heroes of Mexican independence. She said the spirit of independence, which is so manifested in England and America, was born in Mexico nearly as early as in its north. northern neighbor, with perhaps far greater reason for it. One of the earliest and most famous of our heroes, said the teacher, was Hidalgo. His father was a farmer of Guana Huatu, where Hidalgo was born in 1753.

The boy was educated for the priesthood and took holy orders in young manhood. He Dalgo set a good example to you children by improving his opportunities for education, and strangely enough, considering his surroundings, he acquired many liberal and advanced ideas. As he was a fearless man, he did not hesitate to make public his views concerning vital questions. For this, he was denounced by his conservative and narrow-minded religious. superiors. In 1810, Hidalgo, in company with Aende, a kindred spirit with similar notions of independence, at the head of 80 men raised the cry, down with false government. A mob-like army of 50,000 men or more was soon formed, and succeeded in taking possession of Hidalgo's native city. Independence was

declared, but this raw, undisciplined, poorly equipped army was no match for the forces of the Spanish government. The revolution was finally put down and ended in Hidalgo's execution in the year 1811. Can any of you tell me? asked the teacher, where Hidalgo's body lies. Up went several hands. You may tell us, Francisco. In the great cathedral in the city, was the boy's response. Yes, years after his execution, Hidalgo's body was raised and given solemn burial in Mexico's grandest shrine. Just as in London, Westminster Abbey was received the mortal remains of England's kings and heroes. But though crushed for the time,

time being, continued the teacher, the spirit of independence was not destroyed, and in later years other brave and intrepid leaders arose and led Mexico on in the march toward freedom. Many of them met shameful death at the hands of the Spanish rulers, but today Mexico honors their memory. Over the door of the birthplace of one of these martyrs, Augustine di Terbrus, who was shot as a traitor, there is now placed the inscription, Libertator de Mexico. A later liberty-loving hero, who accomplished much, was President Benito Jorres. He is sometimes called the Lincoln of Mexico. He will always be held in reverence for his sublime career, and his life is a standing inspiration to Mexican boys.

Until he was 12 years of age, Horace was a barefooted, bareheaded boy among the mountains of Oaxaca. He was born on a couch of straw in 1806, his cradle rocked by breezes and canopied with skies of eternal summer. But this Indian boy was good and had the genius of gentleness as well as the armor of honesty and the courage of his convictions. Forced to the front by natural-born ability, the boy became a man upon whom the nation rested,

a rock upon which the republic built. As the Magna Carta was forced by the best thought of England from a conservative king, so the laws of reform, proclaimed by Juarez in 1859, accomplish much for the poor classes of our country. Much more than this, the teacher told to the schoolchildren, who were so interested in the stories that they took no notice of the passing time. Nevertheless, they were glad when the closing signal was given,

and after filing to the street in an orderly manner, rushed to their homes to repeat to admiring parents the wonderful tales of Hidalgo and Turbide and Horace. Happy days followed for the children, made joyous by their studious application and their ready obedience to the teacher. At half past ten every day, the boys had recess,

after which the girls were given theirs. For the information of the young reader, it may be said that education was made compulsory in Mexico by press. President Diaz in 1891. Until that time, there was no systematic work of the kind among the Mexican Indians. The Aztecs had two classes of schools. The Kalmekak, where the nobles received instruction in arts of war, and the Telpukai, where the people received instruction in history, eloquence, picture writing, geography, and astronomy, highly tinctured with astrology.

The discipline was very strict. These were mixed schools. In the 16th century, the Roman Catholic priests introduced writing and arithmetic, along with their catechisms, a sort of forced growth. In the 18th century, Viceroy Rivia Hijillo showed Mexico to have a population of 4 million, with only 10 schools. Later, the Campania Lancasteriana made an effort for uniform education in Mexico, and in 1896 their schools were taken up by the government of the Republic. In 1895 in the federal district, there were but 300 people to the thousand who could read and write. Schools of the primary grade are free, and children from 6 to 16 years of age are obliged to attend. The compulsory studies are morals, civic duties, arithmetic, Spanish, reading, writing, elementary, Geometry, Geography, Elementary Sciences, History of Mexico, and Drawing and Objective Lessons.

Corporal punishment is prohibited by law, and the teachers use moral suasion, detention after school hours, lowering of marks, and suspension for a few days. There is scarcely any permanent expulsion. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of Our Little Mexican C. C. Butler. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Sue Gill Making Drawn Work

Mama, said Juanita one day after school. May I go over to Sir Ritas a little while? She says her mother will show me how to make drawn work. Juanita's mother knew. that Senora Ortiz, Sarita's mother, was very skillful in all kinds of Mexican fancy work and was willing that her daughter should learn how to use the needle in embroidery materials. Yes, and you may go, said Senora Jimenez, but you must not bother Sarita's mother about her work. You know that she is a widow and is obliged to support herself and her children by doing fancy work.

This drawn work which you want to learn how to make is very popular with visitors from America and other countries, and Signora Ortiz sells much of it to them. All right, Mama, I'll remember what you say. Perhaps sometime I may be able to find customers for her. You know, Papa often brings American visitors to her house. So through the streets Juanita hurried and soon came to Sarita's home. This was even more humble than that of her friend Rosa. Here in three small rooms live Signora Ortiz together with her two daughters, Sarita and Maria, and her son Carlos. Sarita was 13 years old, just the age of Juanita, and Carlos was eight.

Maria, the baby of the family, was only three. Juanita tapped at the door, which was quickly opened by her young. friend who greeted her with a hearty kiss. In the center of the room was placed a large frame made of thin strips aboard and mounted on four legs. Over this frame was tightly stretched a piece of linen cloth. At one side of the frame sat Sarita's mother, who gave Juanita a cordial welcome and invited her to take a seat opposite. At one end of the frame Sorita sat down, for she had become quite a little. quite skillful in this work, and gave her mother much help in the hours when she was not in school.

Sirita has already told me, said Signora Ortiz, that you want to learn how to make drawn work. I am glad that you want to do this, for if there is one thing in which Mexican women take pride, it is their skill and fancy work of all kinds. We have a sewing teacher in school, said, Juanita, and I like to do the plain work she gives us, but I also want to learn to make the drawn work. I am sure Mama will be very much pleased if I can do anything, which will add to the beauty of our home furnishings. Then perhaps sometime I may be able to make an altar cloth for our church. Signora Ortiz gave Juanita a few simple directions, explaining to her that she could not expect to do fine work

for a long time, for it required experience as well as deftness. She set her to drawing threads in a portion of the linen where the work was comparatively plain. Drawing the threads is a fundamental work, the signora said. This is slow and laborious, especially when the weave of the linen is fine. If a plain piece of cloth is used, the work is easier. The drawing of the threads prepares the background or field upon which to operate. This is a mechanical part of the work. Then comes the designing upon the groundwork thus prepared.

Combinations of straight lines and small curves, as in elementary penmanship, are used in the simpler work, but sometimes intricate designs are introduced. We often copy from flowers and scenery. One of the oldest patterns is a cross and crown, which is also one of the prettiest and most solid, for the weave is close and washes well. It consists of a Maltese cross and an ornimated ring alternating. Instead of the ring or crown, we sometimes leave a quadro or block where the threads are not drawn. Another favorite design is a paloma or dove with outstretched wings. and the espiga, or the ear of wheat design, is much used, made in the form of a wreath.

The daisy design is often combined with cross and crown. After you have had a little practice, I will show you how to work a forget-me-knock pattern upon a handkerchief. Juanita worked away faithfully under the direction given her for about an hour. Sarita and her mother meanwhile steadily toiling on. At the same time little Maria was playing about the room, watching her elders with her sparkling black eyes and prattling away as only a little child can. At the end of the hour, Juanita said,

I must go now for Mama likes to have me at home at tea time. I thank you very much for what you have shown me, and I hope you will let me come again. Indeed, we shall be glad to have you, said Signora Ortiz. Sarita's friends are always welcome here. I know that she is specially fond of you. Sarita blushed prettily at this, but she urgently added her own invitation to her mother's words.

Just before Juanita was to take her leave, Sarita's brother Carlos came rushing in, his olive-tinted cheeks aglow with excitement and his eyes sparkling under the wide brim of his tall, bell-crowned hat. Oh, Mama, he said, I have just carried a valise from the railway station to the Humboldt Hotel for an English gentleman, and he gave me 25 centavos.

He says if I will come around tomorrow, he will have some more errands for me. Carlos was always greatly delighted when he was able to earn a little money, for it meant just so much more help and happiness for his hard-working mother. She was wise enough to sympathize and rejoice with her boy in all his successes, but she was also careful not to let his ambition to earn money interfere with his schoolwork. Bidding her friends goodbye, Juanita hastily passed out the door. As she walked up the street, she turned for a last look and caught a glimpse of little Maria

throwing kisses after her. The girl did not dally on her way home, though she saw much to interest her on the streets. Some of the sights excited her tender sympathies. Many little boys, much younger than Juanita, were going to. about with heavy bundles on their backs, early in life being compelled to become Cargadores or burden bears like their fathers. If Juanita had been in some of the cities of northern Mexico, where rain seldom falls, she would have seen boys acting as water carriers. They carry two large cans of water

hung to a clumsy wooden yoke laid across the shoulders. The donkey boys were more pleasant sight, and Juanita smiled as she saw them skillfully guiding the little beasts about the streets. No grown man could have handled them any better. Soon, however, she arrived at her own home where she found her papa returned from his store. Glad as she always was to see him, she was especially affectionate at this time, as she remembered that her friend Sarita had no father to love and cherish her. Family relations in Mexico are very affectionate and close. The children live with their parents until they are married.

Meanwhile, regarding all that is in the house as their very own. In this respect, home life in Mexico is like home life in the East, as pictured in the parable of the prodigal son, where the father said to the murmuring brother, all I have is thine. Juanita, like the daughters in other Mexican homes, was watched with jealous care and was known as Pedasso del Corazon,

or peace of the heart of the parents. During the evening meal, Juanita told her father what she had been doing during the day. About the visit to Sorita, the lesson in making drawn work, the poor little Cargadores, the donkey boys, as well as about her schoolwork. In this, her father was always much interested, especially in her history lessons. He often took occasion to tell her tales of the early history of Mexico.

Tonight, he told her that Aztec mythology mentioned traditions of the flood, the ark, the dove, the green leaf, the temptation of Eve, and the subsequent sorrow. He also told her of the pyramids of Mexico, which are said to be as old as those of Egypt, and are almost as large. The supposition that the Mexicans sprang from Asiatic races who brought to this continent the old biblical stories

is sustained by various authorities. About the year 1500 BC, the Omekas of Tartar, origin superseded the Mexican giants. They inhabited the tablelands, swarmed in its ghostly forest, and like wild birds lived upon its silent lakes. After 20 centuries, the Aztec shifted into the scene, drifting southward from the Californias. Half hunter, half fishermen, he reached Mexico where his troubles began. He was like an Ishmaelah. 500 years of wandering found him entering the valley of Mexico, and it took him 100 years to make the circuit of the valley from Tescoco to Chapultepec and from Talateloko to Istapalapa.

In 1325, the Aztecs selected as the site of their city an island located between the present cathedral site and the plaza of Santo Domingo. Upon a rock they found the legendary eagle, its claws fastened upon the branch of a thorny cactus and in its beak a withering serpent. Their little city was named Tenochtitlan. Mexico City, which is built on the site of that ancient town, is really a great and beautiful city, created in 1523 by the Spaniards. In 1600, the city had only 15,000. people, 8,000 Aztecs, and 7,000 Spaniards. But now its population is 450,000. All of this,

Senor Jimez told Juanita while they ate their supper. Of course she asked him a great many questions. She would have been very different from other children if she had not. A promise was given that she might soon visit the National Museum, where she would see many relics. of the time of the Aztecs. End of chapter three. Chapter 4 of Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Our Little Mexican Cousin.

Chapter 4. A dinner and a ride. King's Day, one of the brightest religious feast days in Mexico, occurs in January. In the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, it is set aside for the adoration of the Gentile kings or wisemen, Gaspar, Melkor, and Baldazar, who were led by the star in the east to Bethlehem. This feast of the Epiphany is observed in the churches with unusual services. At the cathedral, there is solemn high mass at nine o'clock. Mexican flags hang from the big dome and vaulted roofs, and appropriate sermons are preached. Aside from the religious observance of the holiday, there was much social gaiety, and our young people had a lot of

large share in the good times. Juanita's mother made plans to entertain at dinner and number of her friends. As she did not believe in shutting the children out of the good times, she told her daughter that she could ask several of her schoolmates. Naturally, Juanita invited the boys and girls with whom we have become acquainted, Rosa and Panchito Alvarez and Carlos and Surita Ortiz. In addition, Senora Jimenez sent invitations to Senora Alvarez and to Senora Alvarez and Ortiz. Of course, Little Maria was not left out. Impatiently, Juanita waited for the time to pass before the party. She was the more impatient because Papa had thrown out several hints

that he was preparing a splendid surprise to follow the dinner. No matter how much she teased her father, she could not get him to reveal the secret. He only smiled broadly and put on a very mysterious, look. Juanita tried again and again to guess what it might be, but all to no purpose. The secret could not be discovered. She talked with Sarita and Rosa about it, and even asked Benchito and Carlos what they supposed it could be, but the girls could only give vague guesses and the boys put on a very superior air, saying they were not interested in secrets anyway. If the truth were known when the boys got by themselves, they puzzled and guessed as much as the girls, but it would never do for

them to own that they were at all curious. Oh no. So there was nothing to do but wait for the secret to reveal itself at its own good pleasure. Slowly the time passed, and at last the holiday came, and, with it, the friends who were to dine with the Jimenez family. Two tables were set for the dinner. At one, the grown members of the party were seated. At the other sat the young folks, with Juanita as hostess and Panjito on her right. The table is fairly grown with the good things that were placed upon them, and both young and old did full justice to them. What most interested Juanita and her friends, though,

was the cake that was served as dessert. In many Mexican homes that day, a large cake in the shape of a crown was provided. This was cut in as many slices as there were people present. A bean was hidden in the king's cake, which naturally, someone in the king's cake, which naturally someone in the party would draw. That person would have to give a party and dance to the rest within a stated time.

This dance is called Ba'i de los Campadres. Signora Jimenez had proved no such cake for her own table because some of her guests would have been unable to give a party to such a company of people. But before the children, a beautiful king's cake had been placed. It was cut into five pieces, and to the finder of the hidden bean, "'Signor Jimenez had promised a prize or reward.' "'Oh, I hope I shall win,' said Carlos, "'with just a tinge of convetuousness in his tone.

"'Sarita, who sat beside him, said nothing, "'but gave him a rebuking look for the ill-mannered speech. "'I mean, I—' "'But Carlos did not know how to qualify his remark, "'so he merely hung his head and looked ashamed. "'Wanita, sorry for the embarrassment of her guest, said, "'Of course we will all want to find the bean, but shall also all be glad to congratulate the lucky winner.

At this, she passed to each one a piece of the fateful cake. For a few moments, not a word was said. As each one ate there was anxious search for the hidden bean. Finally, when the cake was nearly all eaten, a joyful cry was given, and Sarita was heard to say, I have it, I have it. Meanwhile, the older people at the other table had finished their meal and were looking on with much interest.

when Signor Jimenez saw that Sarita was the fortunate one, he called her to him. I'm going to tell you children now what the great secret is, but first, will you please step to that window? asked the signor, indicating the one which commanded the street and front entrance. Sarita did as requested. A look of surprise came over her face, but she said nothing. What do you see? A pair of fine horses. What else? A three-seeded carriage. Anything else? Yes, a coachman. Now I will tell you that the secret is a ride for you children to the Alameda.

Oh, isn't that splendid? Fine, great! These were the exclamations from the girls and boys. But Papa, what about Sarita's prize? Asked, Juanita. Oh, I nearly forgot. She used to sit on the front seat with me. Zerita thought that was a splendid reward for her lucky find,

and thanked Signor Jimenez. in her prettiest manner. Before long, Signora Jimenez and his gay young party were seated in the roomy and comfortable carriage, Sarita by his side on the front seat. Carlos and Panchito occupied the front seat, and Juanita and Rose sat in the rear. The older members of the party remained with Signora Jimenez, while her husband took the children to ride. For Juanita, this going to ride with her father was no new experience, but for the others it was an extraordinary occasion, And the mere sensation of riding behind two such fine horses was too pleasant to describe. The sights along the streets seemed very different to them than they had in previous days when they were on foot.

Many were the questions they asked of each other, and Signor Jimenez took pains to point out the objects of interest as he drove slowly along. Perhaps nothing on the way cited more common than a quaint palace built of blue and white tiles. That house, said Signor Jimenez, was built over. a hundred years ago, and there is a queer story about it. It seems that a certain rich man had a son. The son was extravagant in his habits and squandered the money which his father allowed him. Finally, the father's patience was exhausted and he refused to provide a further supply of funds for his son. At the same time, he gave him a severe lecture, winding up with an old Spanish proverb about the inability of spend thrifts to build porcelain palaces. Now, with all his bad habits,

The young man had a certain amount of pride, and he told his father that he could keep his old money. He would ask no more favors of him anyway. So the son took his departure for parts unknown. For several years, his father saw nothing of him. Finally, after a long time, a messenger called at the father's house, with a note requesting him to come to a certain straight number to meet an old acquaintance. On arriving at the place indicated, he found that it was this very place. In the reception hall, he found his seat.

son, who gave him a warm greeting and made him look over the establishment. He also reminded his father of what he had said about spendthrifts and porcelain palaces. Of course, the old gentleman was much surprised when he learned that his son was the builder of this palace, but he was nonetheless gratified at the young man's success. But where did the son get his money? asked the practical, Carlos. That part of the story we do not know was the answer, but we do know that that was a time of pirates and brigands, and I guess the old gentleman didn't care to investigate too closely the source of his son's fortune. Many other beautiful and grand sights were seen along the way, as well as some that were picturesque and quaint. Often the pity, as well as the curiosity of the children, was

excited, especially when they drove through some of the poorer streets. Even Carlos and Sarita knew little of the depth of poverty and wretchedness in some parts of the city. After a while, our party arrived at the Alameda. As they entered the park, Signore Jimenez, told something of its history. To Juanita, the story was not unknown, but the other children heard it for the first time. For over 300 years, said Juanita's father, the Alameda has not only a big breathing place for the people of the capital, but its chief pleasure park. It was laid out in 1592 under Vissory Louis de Vlasco, and Alamos and Cottonwood trees were planted. the name Alameda. The park used to be enclosed in a stone wall, but this was removed in 1885.

Long years ago, when the Inquisition prevailed in Mexico, there were executions on the grounds now occupied by the western end of the Alameda. But those cruel chapters in Mexican history are well-nigh forgotten, and now we see no outward trace of the Inquisition. But the glorious site, which presented itself to the vision of the children, made these old stories. of cruelty seemed like a dream. The only realities to them were the beautiful green grass, the thick foliage of the waving trees, through which was caught an occasional glimpse of blue sky, and above all, the ever-moving panorama of life which passed before them. Many a time, on a Thursday or Sunday at four noon, the children had visited the park to hear the military band

play and to see the crowds of people, but never had the Alameda presented such a sight to them as on this holiday. Hundreds of fine carriages on all but Beals passed back and forth. In them were seated the most noted people of the city. Many of the men were dressed in military uniforms, profusely decorated with gold lace, while the woman were dressed in the most elaborate costumes the country could produce. Then there were the multitudes of people on foot, laughing and chatting with each other, or gazing at the passers-by in their carriages. Signor Jimenez was kept busy telling his young people the names of prominent people who wrote

by. As they were jogging slowly along, he suddenly said, Look quickly, children. See that carriage coming toward us in which is riding the sturdy, military-looking man with gray hair and mustache? The one with plumbed hat and so many badges, and who bows to so many people? Asked Sarita. The very one. That is President Diaz. You all want to get a good look at him, for, though he is a sturdy, strong man, he is getting along in years, and you will probably not have. many opportunities to see him. I want you to know that Mexico owes a large part of her present

peace and prosperity to that man. Our country had practically no railroads until after General Diaz became president. He is a living example of the possibilities of the Mexican youth. Although he was born in an obscure corner of the country, in the city of Oaxaca, by successfully meeting new conditions as they presented themselves, he not only improved himself, but lived in his country out of the condition of chronic revolution under which it had suffered from the time of its emancipation from Spain in the year 1821 until the year 1874, when the last revolutionary attempt ended.

Much of the success for good that has followed the career of President Diaz was due to his boyhood training. His father and mother, although not well-to-do people, were industrious, frugal and conscientious in giving young Perfurio as good an education as they could. As a lad, he wanted to enter the army, but his parents placed him in the seminary to study for the priesthood. This did not suit him, and he studied law. Later, he entered the Mexican army and became one of the most illustrious soldiers of the republic. When General Diaz became president, Mexico was so isolated from the United States that there were only about a dozen

English-speaking people in the city of Mexico. While now, in the city and Vincidity, are about 4,000 Americans in English. A truer patriot never lived, and at times when funds were scarce in the government, Treasury, President Diaz has thrown off half his salary, which also was done by hundreds of patriotic statesmen and the financial difficulties were successfully overcome. Carlos and Pancito were especially interested in Signor Jimenez's talk about Diaz, and they gazed after the president's retreating carriage till it was out of sight. Meanwhile, they continued on their way around the park and came to the Passio, or Boulevard, leading to the Chapultepec. At the head of the strait stands the great statue of Charles IV.

That statue, said Signor Jimenez, has only one superior in the world, that of Marcus Arulius in Rome. This one is about 22 feet in height and weighs 45,000 pounds. It is so big that 20 men, it is said, can be stuffed into its stomach of bronze, which has led the common people of Mexico to call it the horse of Troy. It was made by Manuel Tulsa, the great architect and sculptor, who built a massive school of mines. After riding a little way along the boulevard, the horses were turned homeward. The rideback furnished, many new and interesting sights as they drove by a different route. The young folks were very profuse and their thanks for the afternoon. tunes outing, and all, both young and old, felt that the day had been happily and wisely spent.

End of Chapter 4. Read by Lige Fisher. Chapter 5 of Our Little Mexican Cousin. This is a Libravox recording, while Libravox recordings are in public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler. Chapter 5. A visit to Popo Catapel. the next day juanita and her friends had to return to school this was rather irksome to some of them after the holiday but it did not take them long to get back into the routine of school life juanita was the more willing to apply herself closely to her studies for her father had promised her that on carmond day if she got on well with lessons meanwhile he would take her mother and her on a trip to a mechaumica and mount

catapel. This was an exertion they had all longed to take for a good while, but of course Juanita was especially enthusiastic over the prospect. She was bound that it should be no fault of hers if there were any failure in the plans. So her teacher was really surprised at the attention she bestowed on her lessons. Holidays are frequent in Mexico, and before Carmen Day, which falls on February 17th, Candlemas Day was celebrated. In the United States, the day is profanely confounded with Groundhog Day, but in Mexico no such custom prevails. It is known as a double-cross festival and occurs 40 days after Christmas. Commencing two days before, the candles are placed at the altars of the Virgin and kept burning constantly before the pictures, big and little of that highly honored woman in the church's

processions with lighted candles march back and forth, and all candles needed for the churches for the ensuing year are blessed, hence the name Candlemus Day. But Carmen Day arrived at last, though to Juanita some of the days lagged dreadfully. The holiday is observed as the festival of Our Lady of Carmen, especially in the Carmen District of the city. It is the saint's day of the wife of President Diaz, who receives gifts and visits. and beautiful flowers. Juanita awoke bright and early. She needed no one to call her this morning. Quickly, she hopped out of bed and ran to her window to have a look at the sky. Clear as crystal and blue as blue could be, with the morning sun casting its radiant beams over the city, with a glory and beauty exceeded nowhere. Mexico's clear atmosphere and blue sky are rivaled only in

Italy. Consequently, Mexico is sometimes called the Italy of America. In a very few moments, much quicker than usual, Juanita was dressed, and promptly at breakfast time she appeared in the dining room, where her mama and Papa had just preceded her. She could hardly stop to give them the usual morning greeting before she said, Papa, are we surely going to a mecha-gamica today? We certainly are, was the answer, if the train goes. honita did not need her mother's injunction not to loiter over her breakfast of necessity they all ate rapidly perhaps too rapidly for shortly before seven o'clock the maid told them that the carriage which was to convey them to the railway station was at the door Ordinarily, they would have taken the streetcars, but as the streetcar service in the city was rather unreliable, they did not dare to trust to it when after an early train. Quickly doning their outer garments, Juanita and her parents got into the carriage, which drove off rapidly to the railway station.

Here they arrived just in time to catch the 710 train for Emeka Kamika. It was a comparatively new experience for Juanita to ride upon a railway. train. Only a few times had she been out short distances with her father or mother. So every changing scene was a revelation to her, and as the train sped on through a yachtla and Santa Barbara, she saw much to interest her, and she kept her parents busy answering the question she asked them. As they got farther into the country, the green fields afforded a beautiful and refreshing sight. In some places, though, there were long stretches of barren soil, which bore nothing but different varieties of the cactus. Among them, the sentry plant, or American aloe, was often seen. Its bluish green

leaves were long, with prickly edges, and there were immense clusters of yellowish flowers. The branches were sometimes 40 feet high. Again, Juanita would see the great Magui plantations, from which plan is made pulke, the national drink of Mexico. She already knew that pulkei drinking was a terrible curse to the country, and she learned from her father that if its sale was prohibited, it would mean the ruin of thousands of owners of these Magui plantations. At least that was what they said, but even if it was true, the poorer classes of the people would be incalculably benefited, as they spend 20,000 a day on the liquor. but the train kept steadily on la campanilla was passed and to mammatla in its turn then to nango and te papula were left behind

finally at quarter-past nine the trainman shouted a mechamaca and without delay juanita and her parents left the cars they were immediately surrounded by a crowd of donkey boys who besought the privilege of acting as guide beckoning to one of the brightest appearing lads, Signor Jimenez, placed in his hand a silver coin, and told him that he wanted three donkeys, one for the seora, one for the seorita, and one for himself to ride. With a broad smile and flourishing bow, young Juan said,

You shall have them at once, your excellency. He went at once to a nearby shed, and in less time than it takes, to tell it returned with the desired animals all saddled and bridled for his party. Now we want you to lead us by the best ways to Mount Popocatapel, said Signor Jimenez. Of course we do not expect to ascend it today, for we have not made preparations for that. Neither have we the time. Yes, Signor, I understand, said Juan.

I show many people the way. I take you where you get the grand view. Then you ride across the valley to the low hills where you find a resting place and get some dinner. Yes, signor, I know. And again, Juan daft his broad-brimmed hat and showed a long even row of white teeth in his inimitable smile. So, after all were safely mounted on the little but sturdy beasts, they passed on away from the little cluster of houses that surrounded the station. They had gone but a little way when, as they turned a corner, the wonderful vision of the volcano Popo Caterpil burst upon their sight. And once they halted, and in silence they gazed upon it.

It was too grand, too awe-inspiring for any words. Even to Signor and Signora Jimenez, who had seen the mountain many times before. It was an entrancing view, one of those sights which, though old, is ever new. It was a picture that would ever haunt the memory. Against the foreground were the pin and needle branches of the pines and saders of amechemica. The latter brought saplings from the forests of Lebanon, centuries ago by the Spanish conquerors, and which now are large trees. In the center of this wonderful picture, like a flattened mosaic, was the tiled town of Ames. Mecha-chemica. While fixed against the horizon was the cold white brow of the volcano with its crown of snow,

a crown sent down from heaven. Between the town and mountains stretched before them a wide valley, fertile and dotted with numerous asinnas. Beyond and beneath the great peak stood the foothills, sparsely inhabited, and affording a poorer living to those who dwelt among the, them. Senor Jimenez explained to his daughter that the mountain was over three miles above the level of the sea, and that the crater, which was three miles in circumference, was over 1,000 feet in depth. After gazing on the wonderful sight for a long time, the Signor ordered the donkey boy to lead on, and they took up their march across the valley to the foothills. There was little conversation on the way, so majestic was the view constantly before them.

rode on and on over the winding dusty roads until our friends had inward feelings that it must be dinner time. When are we to get our dinner, Papa? asked Juanita. That's what I have been wondering too, said Mama. I was just thinking it was time to find out, said Signor Jimenez. Juan, when are we to get that dinner you promised us? Very soon, signor. Just after we get over this hill was a smiling response. And sure enough, as the donkeys passed over the crown of the hill, there came into sight an adobe hut of moderate size, surrounded by the low green shrubbery of the locality. As they halted before the hut, there appeared on the scene an Indian woman and a whole swarm of scantily clad children. These Juan proudly introduced as his mother and brothers and sisters.

His father, he said, was at work on a plantation down in the valley. They were all as proud of their Aztec origin as Juanita was of her Castilian forefathers. Though all the children of this family seemed happy and contented, as Juanita's father told her afterward, life among the Indian babies is not always smooth. They are survivors of a race long relegated to the past, and yet they carry with them all the pathos and the dignity that surrounded the best of them. The Indian babies are the most pathetic things in the world. Although reflecting life, they seem like bundles of dead matter.

So quiet are they in their misery? In Mexico, as soon as possible after birth, the Indian baby is rolled in a Zarepe or blanket, and the load is carried on the back of the plotting mother as she comes into the capital with her vegetables and flowers, while the father trudges ahead with his own load. this baby cries little or none and simply seems to vegetate but as he is free from the restraint of extra clothing he toughens from day to day like a little animal and as a rule the mexican babies are well formed and healthy as he grows up life is never serious to him as a boy the baby follows his father's trade and the girl's thought follows the slowly unfolding and uneventful life of the mother mother

Mother, said Juan, Ziz signor and his family are very hungry. It is a long time since they had breakfast, and they have come on a long journey, all the way from the great city. Can you give them a dinner? Why, certainly, if they are willing to put up with what I can give them, was the reply.

We are hungry enough to eat almost anything, said Signora, Yemenes. Oh, mother, this is like a regular picnic, to come out here and have dinner, isn't it? said Juanita. Indeed it is, only better, for we have not got to bother with preparing the lunch, was the reply. Meanwhile, all had alighted from their donkeys, which Juan led away and tethered where they could get generous forage. At the same time, the Indian mother set about preparing the meal for her guests. The visitors seated themselves on the ground in front of the hut.

In a few moments, Juan returned and proceeded. to set up on two benches, a rough table of boards which were lying about. Before very long, the root table was set with such vayans as the Indian woman was able to produce, and the Menez family invited to partake. It was a very different sort of meal from their usual ones at home, but hunger is a splendid appetizer, and they ate with a relish, the frioles and tortillas. tortillas are similar to the unleavened bread of the east. They are made from corn put into lime water and boiled half an hour.

The husks are then removed and the ears washed with cold water. The corn is ground by hand on a stone metete, and the dough broken into pieces is formed into round cakes about six inches in diameter and one-eighth of an inch thick. Juanita would have been much interested if she could have seen Juanita. smother and older sisters slowly and laboriously grinding the corn. The tortilla is toasted until it is brown, and it is as necessary to Mexican tables as bread to the American. The Mexican take up their spicy dishes with the tortilla, using it as a spoon, and finally they eat the spoon.

When prepared, according to the Mexican method, rizoles are very palatable and rich and poor, eat these brown beans with gusto. The principal varieties of frioles are the Valgorda and the Valchika. The beans are put into a pot and covered with water and boiled four hours, more water being constantly added. They are then fried in lard and eaten with their own gravy, or mashed and fried with onions. Corn is the staff of life for these Mexican Indians, and is served in many forms, often highly seasoned with the chili.

Of the three kinds of tamales, the best are those prepared with chili. Some were served for Juanita and her parents. The corn is ground very fine. The dough is prepared in one vessel and the meat in another, the latter being seasoned. Fresh corn husks are used. These are washed clean and the inside lined with the dough. Finally, minced meat is placed inside, and husks rolled like a big cigarette. They are then boiled an hour and eaten hot.

All the while our friends were feasting their bodies, they were also feasting their eyes upon the majestic poco caterpill, which towered above them in all its snowy, glittering grandeur. They could not help thinking how terrible would be the result if suddenly from its crater should belch forth the fires so long extinct. It was no unknown thing for Mexican volcanoes to do just that thing. Senor Jimenez told how, in the middle of the 18th century, the site of volcano, Yorillo, was covered with fields of cotton, indigo, sugarcane, all made fertile by generous irrigation.

Suddenly, without warning, the mountain cast forth a stream of lava and fire, laying waste land and changing the beautiful green landscape into a burning desolate wilderness. Thousands of dollars' worth of property were distrable. and many lives lost in the catastrophe. This was a rather depressing story, and Juanita was a little nervous after hearing it, but her spirits were soon restored as she watched the antics and games of the little Indian children as they played about the hut. The meal ended.

Signor Jimenez gave Juan's mother generous payment. Then he said to his wife and daughter, with a glance at the declining son, We must now be starting for home. The train leaves a mecha-camica at about, quarter of five, and if we go now we can make it without hurrying the donkeys. Juan overheard the remark and took hint without further orders. He soon brought up the donkeys, who also were rested and refreshed by their noonday meal.

And once the travelers mounted and took up their line of March back over the morning's trail, down the hills into the valley, and up again into the town of Emekamika. Here they arrived in ample time for their train, which rapidly whirled them once more to their beautiful city of Mexico. At seven o'clock, they were home again and eager for the supper, which the cook had ready upon the table. Though the day had been a happy one for Juanita, it also been fatiguing, and she needed no urging to go early to bed.

But she did not fail to give Mama and Papa their good-night kiss and to thank them over and over for her splendid outing, one that she would never forget. End of Chapter 5. Read by Elijah Fisher. Chapter 6 of Our Little Mexican Cousin. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler. Chapter 6. Sightseeing. For several weeks, Juanita's life moved on with Little incident to call for special mention. She went to school as usual, called on her young friends at Sarita's making considerable progress in learning drawn work. One day, late in the spring, she was invited to the home of Rosa and Pancito to see a wonderful sight, the arrival of a little

stranger who would make them a long visit. The Alvara's children were wild with delight over the baby sister. One week later, the grandmother and the happy children took the little one to the civil register and entered her arrival. It wore its best clothes on that occasion. Two weeks after there was a baptism, the family took their new treasure to the nearest church. The Patrinos, or Godfather and Godmother, were important personages on that occasion. The entrance to the church was crowded with poor people who had learned that a Christianing was to occur. Juanita and Sarita and Carlos were present. as well as a number of other friends who had been invited by card.

The father handed the priest five pesos for himself and his assistance. The priest then recited in Latin from the ritual, afterward, calling the name of the child, Romona. After pouring some water on the baby's head and neck, the priest rubbed the neck in the little mouth with salt, and pronounced the benediction, thus completing the ceremony. As a small party left the church, the crowd of poor people called out El Bolo, El Bolo.

Then the godfather gave each a centavo, or two, all new coins, which he had brought for that purpose. After the baptismal supper candies were served in cards with coins given as souvenirs. To Juanita, all this was a new and delightful experience, and it formed a topic of conversation with her and her friends for a long time. Soon after the pretty baptismal ceremony, and while Ramona was a baby in arms, Juanita became acquainted with two American girls, Grace and Louise Winthrop,

daughters of an American merchant who was visiting Mexico on business, and who had thus met Signora Jimenez. The girls were curious to see the sights of Mexico, so the little party was made up, including Florence Mason, also an American girl, who was born in Mexico and who acted as interpreter between the children. Sarita and Rosa were in the party, also Carlos and Panchito, their brothers. First, they visited the National Palace, which stands on the site of the new house, of Montezuma. The old-time cedar ceilings put in place by Cortez are disappearing,

giving place to rich friscoes and rare furnishings, and elevators are taking the place of the broad stone stairs. The offices of President Thea's are in the palace, and there he holds public receptions. The children gazed with a good deal of interest on the portraits of historic personages hung in the palace, and the two American girls were especially delighted to see a painting of Washington among them, In the same block, which is 600 feet square, are two barracks for soldiers and the fire brigade. On the front are three large entrances, open all day to the public. Next, they visited the Thieves Market. To the south of the palace, where the rarest of things may be purchased.

To the American girls, the strange scenes and customs were a continual source of delight. On the street they saw all kinds of costumes, the Cavalier. Lier clad in buckskin, pantaloons, seemed with double rows of silver or gold coins, wearing gay vests, sombreros, and clinking spurs, elegantly gowned signoritas in flashing carriages and swift automobiles, soldiers in brilliant uniforms, and, on occasional, Aztec girl added novelty to the scene. But the National Museum was the chief object of attraction for our party at this time. Here they saw the famous Aztec calendar stone and other curiosities and relics of centuries of ancient Mexican history.

Here also they saw some very interesting objects pertaining to modern history, such as Maximilian's Gala coach, his silver service, etc. The boys were particularly attracted to the mementos of the unfortunate Maximilian. An old attendant standing near observed their interest and said to them, Ah, he was the brave man. Observing the look of inquiry on the boy's faces at his exclamation, the old man proceeded to tell him how he had been a soldier in the Patriot Army of Mexico in the time of the emperor. He had witnessed Maximilian's death and had seen him give the gold coins to the soldiers who acted as his executioners. Like many of the Mexican opponents of Maximilian and his government,

the old man's feeling for the dead emperor was one of pity rather than hatred, and many a tear shed in Mexico today over the sad fate of the unfortunate Empress Carlotta, driven mad by her misfortunes. The old man, made bold by the attention of the boys, led the party of young people about the museum, pointing out here and there the most interesting objects. Many of the stories of the Aztecs and the Spanish viceroys of old time he was able to tell. That, pointing to an antique sword hung upon the wall, was the property of the Viceroy Revele Gatot.

What a name. How did they ever pronounce it? Put in one of the American girls. This viceroy ruled here in 1787. Continued the attendant, not noticing the interruption. He was famous for his unusual sense of justice. On one occasion, a certain Indian found a bag of golden ounces. The Indian was an honest man, and discovering the owner,

to be a Spanish gentleman, he returned the gold to him. The Spaniard was not so honest, and as the bag was returned to him, he quietly slipped two pieces of gold into his pocket. Then, instead of rewarding him, he charged the Indian with theft and kicked him out of the house. The Indian saw through the Spaniard scheme to defraud him of a fairly earned reward and complained to the Viceroy, who called the two men before him. He asked the Spaniard, how many ounces were in the bake you lost? 28. How many ounces in the bag now? Was the second question? 26. Very good. It's a clear case. If the Indian had been a thief, he would not have brought the bag back to you at all. It must belong to someone else. With this conclusion, the verse ray, sweeping up the gold from the table before him, gave a whole thing back to the Indian. Good for Revela Gikido, said Pancito, as I guard finished his story. I think we had better be going home now, said Juanita.

But first let's go with Louise and Grace to the hotel. Thinking the old man for his kindness, they all hastened out of the building to the street. They decided to take a car, as the hotel was some ways from the museum. They had to wait quite a while for the car on account of the peculiar system of running street cars in the city. They all start from a common point in the center. After running a couple of blocks or so, they switch off to the right or left, as the case may be. This is convenient for the stranger, because it makes no difference where he takes a car. He will inevitably get back to the locality of his hotel, if he will sit still long enough. The timetable, however, is peculiar. For some reason,

no arriving car is permitted to leave the central point until a certain, number have collected. It is a daily thing to see scores of cars waiting for the signal, while all over the city people are standing on corners waiting patiently for transportation to heave in sight. And last, however, their car appeared, and Juanita and her friend clambered aboard. On the way to the hotel they passed, among other notable institutions. The home of the poor working boys, which is opened in 1898, and is one of the most unique charities of the city, having graduated 1,500 boys. The organizer and manager of the home is Reverend A. M. Hunt-Cortez.

He is known among the Mexican Indians as the White Indian, a title he appreciates more than a crown of gold, for it enables him not only to demonstrate his own kindly spirit, but also to bring out the best elements among the boys in his control. In this home, Carlos told the girls, Father Hunt places the poor boys he picks up on the straits, and educates them and feeds them, and clothes them with funds which are voluntarily given. He makes an effort to educate the boys in the original tongue of the Aztecs, which, he says,

is too rich a language to be allowed to perish. He does not, however, neglect reading, writing, and religious education. Although the institution is sustained at an expense of about 50 pesos per day, the good priest has such a firm hold on God as the provider, the needs have been Met, and the mission of this good man so far has been crowned with great success. End of Chapter 6. Read by Elijah Fisher. Chapter 7 of Our Little Mexican Cousin. This is a Librevox recording.

All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler. Chapter 7. Feasts and Flowers. The religious ceremonies of Lent were faithfully observed by Juanita's parents. Consequently, she, too, was true to the training she had received. On Palm Sunday, in company with her friends, she carried to church palm leaves that had been plated in various designs, to have them blessed by the priest.

These were afterwards fastened to the balconies, doors, bedsteads, and other places at home to keep off evil spirits. On Good Friday, Juanita went with her parents to the Great Cathedral, where the Archbishop officiated before an immense crowd. On the same day, in the suburban towns of Ixtapalapa, Atzsalzo, and Koyokan, there were processions in the yards of the country churches, where highly decorated and grotesquely dressed men and woman marched in stately order, bearing a huge. huge cross and reenacted in crude fashion, the scene of Calvary. Years ago, men, taking the role of Jesus, were crucified, and some even died under the torture, but the government put a stop to that, and the laws of reform no longer allow external religious rights. The processions are therefore confined to the churches and to the

churchyards. The noisiest day in the year for Mexican children is Holy Saturday, but the last day of Lent, just preceding Easter Sunday. At 10 o'clock that day, the judasies are exploded, and the church bells ring out after their silence of two days and a half. That they might enjoy this day together, Juanita invited her girlfriends, Rosa and Sarita, to come up and sit upon her balcony, where they could get a good view of the street. Carlos and Panjito went upon the street and joined in the sports with other boys and men. During the day, the girls got many a glance at an answering wave of the hand from them. Along the sidewalks ran many small boys dragging their maracas or little carts with pieces of wood fitting into the spokes of the wheels. These were grafting and grinding

all day long. The popular feature of the day was the bursting of the judasus. These figures impersonating the ischariot, were made of pasteboard, and all sorts of human and inhuman figures were represented. Some had the faces of animals and birds, but the idea was to have them as hideous as possible. Along the arms, or legs or wings, as a case might be, were tubes of gunpowder with fuses. When the latter were lighted, the whole grotesque creation went up in smoke with loud noises. The louder the noise, the more keen the satisfaction and the pleasure of the people, for they were thus avenging the treachery of Judas toward Jesus. In some parts of the city, the effigies were hung across the streets and from the balconies

of the aristocratic houses, filled with toys and small coin, for which big and little wildly scrambled. To the young American girls, Grace and Louise, who watched the fun from a balcony of their hotel, it seemed more like a celebration of the 4th of July than a religious occasion. Easter Sunday was quietly observed, for the people were well-nigh spent by the observance of preceding days. In the cathedral, the services were signalized by grand music, the lighting of the huge pastoral candle, and the removal for the first time, since the 40 days of Lent, of the Garando from its position.

The pashal candle burned constantly until the expiration of the 40 days following Easter. Flowers, candles, and incense were profusely employed. The vestments of the clergy were radiant with gold and precious stones, and many of the sacred vessels used on the altars were reversed, especially for the eastern festivities. The high altar was decked with ornaments of gold, and the sermons dealt with the resurrection of Jesus. aside from the religious services the day itself was one of the brightest in mexico and every one strove to appear in his or her best during easter week juanita and her friends gave and received presents and dulces some months later wanita called upon rosa one morning and asked her if she would not like to go to the flower market with her why yes indeed i would said rosa but why are you going there to-day i want to get some flowers to decorate one of the altars in the cathedral for the feast of the assumption and i should very much like to have your help why not invite sarita to go to asked rosa she has splendid taste in the arrangement of flowers all right we will answered juanita

with this purpose in view they called at sarita's home but found she was too busy helping her mother on some drawn work for which some customers were in a hurry that she could not go with them The flower market is situated close by the great cathedral, and thithered the two girls hastened. It was a brilliant, beautiful scene. Flowers to right, flowers to left, flowers all around. The immense wreaths of pansies and daisies were displayed effectively by the flower boys. Great masses of white flowers of all kinds formed a splendid background for the bunches of red and blue and yellow. By roses, asked a piping voice at Juanita's elbow. Juanita looked around and beheld a smiling brown lad not over eight years old,

holding toward her a great bunch of splendid American beauties. How much are they, she asked. Ten centavos each. As Juanita turned away, the boy ran after her. I let you have them, signorita, for eight centavos. But Juanita was not to be persuaded by the insistent boy. American beauties were not what she wanted this morning, even though they could be purchased for a song.

By this time, all the flower boys in the market had discovered the girl's presence, and there was a rush at them with great bunches of all kinds of flowers. It was hard work for Juanita to make her selection, but finally, with the help of Rosa, she managed to choose what she wanted and rid herself of the boys. She did not care to patronize. This took some time for the flower sellers all asked at first more than they expected to get for their wiser.

and Juanita knew it, so she had to pretend not to be anxious to buy until they came down to a reasonable price. The girls next took their flowers into the cathedral, where Rosa was of much assistance to Juanita in decorating the altar, which was her share in preparing for the feast. Many other girls were at work in different parts of the edifice, and a splendid time they all had. When they got through, the place looked like an enchanted land in its profusion of flowers. Among Juanita's former schoolmates was a young cadet in the military academy. The academy is attached to the castle of Chapel Tepic. One day in September, he invited Juanita and her friends to visit the institution.

The trip was very much enjoyed. It was explained to the visitors that the military academy was founded in 1824 by General Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of the Mexican Republic. In 1847, the American stormed and captured the castle, which was defended by the cadets, an incident fittingly commemorated on the 8th of September. On the 30th of May, Memorial Day, their monument is always decorated by a committee from the American colony. The Academy was reopened in 1863, but closed on account of the war with France. Finally, under the decree of President Juarez, it was opened in 1869.

There are now about 250 cadets. End of Chapter 7, read by Elijah Fisher. Chapter 8 of Our Little Mexican Cousins. This is a Libervox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visitlibrovox.org. Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler. Chapter 8.

The end of the year. About the close of October, Juanita was invited with her parents to a wedding. This momentous incident had been discussed by all the families in all its bearings for weeks before. The groom-elect had graduated from the Military Academy and was a captain in the regular army by the name of Manuel Viesca. In the most approved fashion, he had been courting Mercedes for some months. calling at the house and being duly accepted. Early in the month, he went to the Civil Register and declared his intentions, and two weeks later, on the 20th of the month, he and Mercedes, with three witnesses,

presented themselves for the Civil Marriage. The civil marriage in Mexico costs nothing if had at the Civil Register. If the judge goes to the house, the fee averages 12 pesos. but the amount is optimal. Before the civil right is performed, there are 15 days of probation. The names of the bride and groom-elect are posted on a bulletin so that anybody, having satisfactory reasons, may oppose the ceremony. But it was the religious ceremony to which Juanita had been invited.

This was held in the little church of La Divina Infantra, and was witnessed by about 50 or 60 friends. It was a bright, beautiful day that greeted the young couple. Mercedes Silva, the bride, was a tall, pretty girl, and semi-brunette. Her veil was arranged with great care and flowed from underneath a bunch of orange blossoms. She carried an ivory, prayer book, and rosary, the gift of the groom. The bride entered first on the arm of her father, followed by the bridegroom, and his mother, then followed the group of Padrinos, the godmother and godfather in each case.

When the party got just inside the door of the church, the priest met them, attired in a beautiful costume of cloth of gold, and put the first question to them as whether they wished to marry each other. Then the party went up and knelt together below the altar at Pri-Dias, the priest offering the prayer. Then he gave two rings of gold to the groom, one to be put on the finger of the bride and the other on his own. Some more questions were asked, and the groom handed the bride 13 coins, gold pesos, which she gave to the priest. They proceeded closer to the altar, where they knelt about half an hour while the priest prayed, and there was some very fine orchestral music. While they were thus kneeling, another priest took part of the bridal veal, and put it over the groom, and then placed a silver chain over both the parties. Then the officiating priest blessed them, and they marched out of the church.

thence they rode in a carriage to a photograph establishment, to have their pictures taken, which is quite the thing in Mexico, after which they had an informal reception at the home of the bride's parents. The servants brought in copitas, or drinks, and then there was a big dinner. Afterward, there was dancing. To witness a wedding was a new experience to Juanita, and it was no wonder that she greatly enjoyed telling Sarita and Rosa about it afterward. It furnished a subject of conversation for them for weeks to come, in fact, until they began to get ready for the Christmas festivities. In the days of Santa Ana and President Guadalupe Victoria, Christmas was celebrated by the Mexicans with much more ceremony than today. Cannon were fired by the

government at sunrise and sunset and at high noon, and they are fired today on the birth of some earthly prince. Processions went through the streets of Mexico with government officers and the military in full uniform, and led by the archbishop and the clergy and cannons at the cathedral. Now Christmas Day is one of the most quiet days in the year, and is solemnly but sedately observed in the churches. All the excitement of the season centralizes about the posadas and the penitas that precede this day of days. In fact, there is less observance in the posadas than in former years. The original posadas were supposed to be a religious in their character or nature,

but of recent years the tendency has been to relaxation in the religious observance, the children being so anxious for the breaking of the piñata. Therefore, in 1894, the Archbishop forbade the posadas. However, the observance is too Mexican in its character to be easily set aside, especially in homes where the Catholic mandate is not taken seriously. They were the delight of the children. Every night the children gathered in the corridors of their own homes were in their petios for this fun-making. The petios were all illuminated and decorated with lanterns and flowers, especially with the brilliant poisnette or crimson flower, which is of bright red color. The children march around the corridors, each holding a lighted candle and singing

or a pro nobis, which is adapted from the Loretto ritual. They went around and round from room to room, stopping at each door and singing their little song. The song described the journeys of Joseph and Mary looking for a room. The groups of children were repulsed from one room to another as the Holy Family was repulsed in Bethlehem. Finally, they reached one of the rooms which was opened to them. The little figures which they carried representing the Holy Family were then placed by the children in some corner and forgotten till the next evening, and they began the fun of the pinata. As formerly observed, the ceremonies in connection with the Posadas began nine days before Christmas Day. This year, instead of each family having a celebration by itself,

The Jimenez and Ortiz families accepted the invitation of Signora Alvarez to join with them in the day's festivities. In Mexico, Christmas, is different from the old-time Christmas of Hans Christian Anderson, or from the Christ-time as observed in the United States and in Europe. There isn't no snow, except on the big volcano 60 miles away, and therefore there are no sleigh-bells or harness reindeer in the air. Until the comfort of fireplaces and open hearths was brought by the Americans, these were not known in Mexico, and there were no chimneys. Consequently, there was no way for Santa Claus to enter the houses. In American homes, however, Santa Claus has been welcomed for the past 15 years, and Mexico now knows something about Christmas trees, hungry stockings, mistletoe branches, and all the witchery of Christmas as known to its northern neighbors. But Mexico has plenty of flowers always, and during the days before Christmas, Rosa and her two girl friends decorated her home exquisitely.

Panjito assisted in this work, for a boy is handy when there are nails to be driven and decorations to be put up. The preparation of the piñata was the special work of Signora Alvarez, though it is fair to say that both Senora Jimenez and Ortiz, had a hand in it. A jar of clay was dressed in the shape of a great doll and decorated with colored papers and filled with candies and toys. The night before Christmas, after Rosa and Pinchito were asleep, it was hung in the center of the sitting room. Bright and early Christmas morning, Sarita and Carlos and Little Maria and Juanita, with their parents put in an appearance

at the Alvarez's home. The little house was pretty well filled, but if there was a slight lack of room, there was no want of hospitality and good cheer. After all had gathered, there was no waiting for the all-important ceremony, for the children were anxious to break the pinata. They were blindfolded, in turn, and each boy and girl had three chances to hit the pinata with a stick. First, Carlos took his turn, which shouts all set up as he once, twice, three times vainly beat the air with his stick. Strange, as it may seem, the children all failed in their first trial to break the pinata. Then they began over again with little Maria, who, with a good deal of giggling and dancing,

was blindfolded once more. Juanita turned around several times and said, Now strike hard. With a mighty effort, Maria swung around her arm and hit nothing. Again, she turned a little, and again struck out and hit nothing. A third time, she moved, and, carefully swinging the stick far over her head, hit the pignata squarely in the middle, and scattered its contents all over the room. With much shouting and laughing, the children made a scramble for the good things spread around,

and for an hour or more there was plenty of fun in undoing mysterious packages. The rapturous exclamations at the revelation of the contents amply repaid for all the labor and trouble of the affair had cost the older members of the different families. Not until very late that evening did the party break up, but finally all went to their own homes, and tired young folks soon forgot their weariness and excitement in the land of dreams. The end. End of Chapter 8. End of Our Little Mexican Cousin by Edward Crompton Butler.