Could we but know The land that ends our dark, uncertain travel, Where lie those happier hills and meadows low-- Ah, if beyond the spirit's inmost cavil, Aught of that country could we surely know, Who would not go? Aunt Louise was just back from church, and the text made a sacrilegious smile overspread my face, "Look to the hills whence thy help cometh." _Trouble_ is what comes from the hills here. However, I will blight no illusions when I answer. She had picked a single, beautiful Carl Bruschi rose in its perfection from her rose-corner, to put upon the Sunday dinner-table, with a bit of feathery green. I can see her doing it and "rescuing seedlings from the clutch of weeds," and dusting the peach-tree, and straightening the hollyhocks, and "feeding much upon her thoughts." With her letter came a long letter from Senator Smith, and his _Titanic_ speech in full. [51] Peña Pobre has been occupied and evacuated countless times by Zapatistas, and is now completely laid waste--the great paper-mills, the gardens, the hacienda buildings. Since writing these words a vast and blood-stained scroll has been unfolded, and I think many a one has modified his political creed.--E. O'S., 1917. [52] Of the Casasus house nothing but the walls remain. Everything has been pillaged and scattered. People have happened on an occasional old volume of the great library, and an occasional piece of the gilt-and-brocade furniture has been seen in the second-hand shops. ---- told me that a matter of importance took him to the house when used as a barracks by Carrancistas. In the great _patio_ were only a filthy cot and an old _brasero_ near which a poor _soldadera_ was sitting. The fountain was dry and full of refuse, and some soldiers were standing about waiting for their officer, who came in violently disputing with a woman of the town. From under the cot, after a few moments, the woman drew out a small, beautiful old chest clamped with silver and inset with coral, with which she departed, "the living symbol of the aspirations of the downtrodden masses," as one of his followers calls Don Venustiano.--E. O'S., 1917. [53] These treasures were scattered and destroyed during the first Carrancista occupation. XXV Orozco and his troops flee toward the American border--A typical conversation with President Madero--Huerta's brilliant campaign in the north--The French fêtes--San Joaquin _July 4th, 4 p.m._ Home from a motor trip and luncheon with Aunt L. at the Country Club, and now getting ready for a rather inexplicable reception at Chapultepec. In the evening there is to be a big theatrical representation to celebrate the glorious Fourth.