THE MEXICAN IN NEW MEXICO 27 



has worked for me long and often, and whose 

 stupidity is past all prayers and strivings of 

 the gods. He is pleased with me because I 

 pay him more than his labour is actually 

 worth ; the reason for this apparent folly on 

 my part being that here, in darkest New 

 Mexico, I pay so much for labour and so much 

 more for honesty and industry, these having 

 their separate and distinct market value for 

 me. Juan is also pleased with me because 

 he thinks I am rich. In Southern com- 

 munities a reputation for paying one's just 

 debts carries with it an inconvenient repu- 

 tation for untold wealth. This is a delusion 

 by no means confined to the Mexican and 

 the negro. Now, Juan, being a steady 

 worker, is not in burning daily need of cash. 

 Therefore, while at the close of each day's 

 work the money due for the same is entered 

 in my ranch-book, Juan usually does not 

 apply for it except on occasion, and then 

 only piecemeal. For he once worked for 

 me as a regular monthly hand, with satis- 

 factory results to himself and his little yellow 

 family ; consequently he is willing to use me 

 as a bank. But lately I determined to have 



