California -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Short stories, American; Western stories
The fandangos were usually held on Saturday night, and the next day,
being Sunday, I missed Enriquez; but as he was a devout Catholic I
remembered that he was at mass in the morning, and possibly at the
bullfight at San Antonio in the afternoon. But I was somewhat surprised
on the Monday morning following, as I was crossing the plaza, to have
my arm taken by the Rev. Mr. Mannersley in the nearest approach to
familiarity that was consistent with the reserve of this eminent divine.
I looked at him inquiringly. Although scrupulously correct in attire,
his features always had a singular resemblance to the national
caricature known as “Uncle Sam,” but with the humorous expression
left out. Softly stroking his goatee with three fingers, he began
condescendingly: “You are, I think, more or less familiar with the
characteristics and customs of the Spanish as exhibited by the settlers
here.” A thrill of apprehension went through me. Had he heard of
Enriquez' proceedings? Had Miss Mannersley cruelly betrayed him to her
uncle? “I have not given that attention myself to their language and
social peculiarities,” he continued, with a large wave of the hand,
“being much occupied with a study of their religious beliefs and
superstitions”--it struck me that this was apt to be a common fault of
people of the Mannersley type--“but I have refrained from a personal
discussion of them; on the contrary, I have held somewhat broad views
on the subject of their remarkable missionary work, and have suggested
a scheme of co-operation with them, quite independent of doctrinal
teaching, to my brethren of other Protestant Christian sects. These
views I first incorporated in a sermon last Sunday week, which I am told
has created considerable attention.” He stopped and coughed slightly. “I
have not yet heard from any of the Roman clergy, but I am led to believe
that my remarks were not ungrateful to Catholics generally.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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