Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/64

40 be soon demanded; difficulties will continue to increase; and the sparkling treasures will shortly find their way to the well-lined safety chests of the Monte Pio.

A sanguinary-looking wretch, with bloodshot eyes, straggling-beard, and furtive face, now presents a bundle of miscellaneous articles in very dirty condition, to the notice of the clerk, who looks at them with evident suspicion. The first thing taken up is a griddle for cooking, coated with soot and grease, then a torn but gilded missal, a pack of filthy playing-cards, a handsome pocket pistol, a gilt chain and crucifix, a broken string of beads, an ornamented purse, much soiled, a greasy old leathern powder-flask, a bolt and two hinges, a handbasket, and lastly, three or four stone jars! Not an article among them but is stolen: they are the accumulations of a week's pilfering, at the least.

The interview with this applicant is rather protracted; for his manners and the account he gives of himself are not altogether satisfactory. The officer with the book appears to be in two minds about apprehending him for closer examination; but the fellow's impudence comes to his aid, and his story suddenly assumes an