Don José Calderon Heard of the tragedy. Heard of it, thought of it, Vowed a deep vengeance; Vowed retribution On the Americans, Murderous gringos, Especially Texans. "Valga me Dios! que Ladrones, diablos, Matadores, mentidores, Caraccos y perros, Voy a matarles, Con solos mis manos, Toditas sin falta." Thus swore the Hidalgo Don José Calderon. He hied him to Austin. Bought him a basket, A barrel of pepper, And another of garlic; Also a rope he bought. That was his stock in trade; Nothing else had he. Nor was he rated in Dun or in Bradstreet, Though he meant business, Don José Calderon, Champion of Mexico, Don José Calderon, Seeker of vengeance. With his stout lariat, Then he caught swiftly Tomcats and puppy dogs, Caught them and cooked them, Don José Calderon, Vower of vengeance. Now on the sidewalk Sits the avenger Selling Tamales to Innocent purchasers. Dire is thy vengeance, Oh, José Calderon, Pitiless Nemesis Fearful Redresser Of the wrongs done to thy Sainted grandfather. Now the doomed Texans, Rashly hilarious, Buy of the deadly wares, Buy and devour. Rounders at midnight, Citizens solid, Bankers and newsboys, Bootblacks and preachers, Rashly importunate, Courting destruction. Buy and devour. Beautiful maidens Buy and devour, Gentle society youths Buy and devour. Buy and devour This thing called Tamale; Made of rat terrier, Spitz dog and poodle. Maltese cat, boarding house Steak and red pepper. Garlic and tallow, Corn meal and shucks. Buy without shame Sit on store steps and eat, Stand on the street and eat, Ride on the cars and eat, Strewing the shucks around Over creation. Dire is thy vengeance, Don José Calderon. For the slight thing we did Killing thy grandfather. What boots it if we killed Only one greaser, Don José Calderon? This is your deep revenge, You have greased all of us, Greased a whole nation With your Tamales, Don José Calderon. Santos Esperiton, Vincente Camillo, Quitana de Rios, De Rosa y Ribera. [Illustration: A letter to his daughter Margaret.] LETTERS [Letter to Mr. Gilman Hall, O. Henry's friend and Associate Editor of _Everybody's Magazine_.] "the Callie"-- Excavation Road-- Sundy. my dear mr. hall: in your october E'bodys' i read a story in which i noticed some sentences as follows: "Day in, day out, day in, day out, day in, day out, day in, day out, day in, day out, it had rained, rained, and rained and rained & rained & rained & rained & rained till the mountains loomed like a chunk of rooined velvet."