THE TOWN OF CART AGO AND ITS LIFE 53 



others. The small boys were of course in their element, and 

 we had not suspected that these sad-looking youngsters 

 could be so hilarious. This enthusiasm was mild compared 

 to the excitement of the third day, as the successive bulletins 

 came in and Don Ricardo's victory grew. At the last mo- 

 ment before the election, the existing government, which 

 had been counted on absolutely by the Iglesias faction to 

 work for them, turned to Jimenez and orders were issued 

 to chiefs of police, etc., to vote for him. This no doubt ac- 

 counted for his overwhelming success, but it seemed certain 

 that Jimenez was the popular candidate and would have 

 received the most votes. In the evening a really big crowd 

 went to the station to meet the San Jose train, as Don Ri- 

 cardo was expected home on it. He did not come, however, 

 so the crowd and the band swarmed up and down the streets. 

 There was much shouting of "Viva Jimenez," "Viva Ricardo 

 Jimenez," etc., but little of the concerted cheering to which 

 we were accustomed. On the contrary each one cheered at 

 random, and much of the yelling bore a strong resemblance 

 to warwhoops and shrieks of the Indians in Buffalo Bill's 

 show. It sounded very unlike the deep roar of one of our 

 enthusiastic crowds. 



The San Jose paper, La Informacion, for September i 

 gave the final results as Jimenez 38,000, Iglesias 14,000. 

 This election determined the electors (similar to our elec- 

 toral college) who met in February to cast votes for the 

 presidency — Costa Rica has no vice-president. Contrary 

 to the fears of many foreigners there was no disorder any- 

 where in the country during the election. 



