V 



MANAGING A SERVANT. 369 



it was, happy at escaping the troubles of an uncertain 

 world. There were no tears shed ; on the contrary, all 

 were cheerful ; and though it appeared heartless, it was 

 not because the father did not love his child, but be- 

 cause he and all his friends had been taught to believe, 

 and were firm in the conviction, that, taken away so 

 young, it was transferred immediately to a better world. 

 The father sprinkled a handful of dirt over its face, the 

 grave-digger took his shovel, in a few moments the lit- 

 tle grave was filled up, and preceded by the boy playing 

 on his violin, we all went away together. 



The next morning, with great regret, I took leave of 

 my kind friends and returned to San Jos6. 



It is my misfortune to be the sport of other men's 

 wives. I lost the best servant I had in Guatimala be- 

 cause his wife was afraid to trust him with me, and on 

 my return I found 'Hezoos at the convent waiting for 

 me. While putting my things in order, without looking 

 me in the face, he told me of the hardships his wife, " la 

 povera," had suffered during his absence, and how diffi- 

 cult it was for a married woman to get along without 

 her husband. I saw to what he was tending ; and feel- 

 ing, particularly since the recurrence of my fever and 

 ague, the importance of having a good servant in the 

 long journey I had before me, with the selfishness of a 

 traveller I encouraged his vagabond propensities, by tell- 

 ing him that in a few weeks he would be tired of home, 

 and would not have so good an opportunity of getting 

 away. This seemed so sensible that he discontinued 

 his hints and went off contented. 



At three o'clock I felt uncertain in regard to my chill, 

 but, determined not to give way, dressed myself, and 

 went to dine with Mr, Steiples. Before sitting down, 

 the blueness of my lips, and a tendency to use superflu- 



VoL. I.— 3 A 



