Chapter XVI. Matchmaking

by Andy Adams

　　After our return to the Frio, my first duty was writing, relative to theproposed match, an unfavorable reply to Don Alejandro Travino.On resuming work, we spent six weeks baling hides, thus occupying ourtime until the beginning of the branding season. A general round-up ofthe Nueces valley, commencing on the coast at Corpus Christi Bay, hadbeen agreed upon among the cowmen of the country. In pursuance of theplan four well-mounted men were sent from our ranch with Wilson's wagonto the coast, our segundo following a week later with the wagon,remuda and twelve men, to meet the rodeo at San Patricio as theyworked up the river. Our cattle had drifted in every direction duringthe drouth and though many of them had returned since the range hadagain become good, they were still widely scattered. So Uncle Lance tookthe rest of us and started for the Frio, working down that river andalong the Nueces, until we met the round-up coming up from below. Duringthis cow hunt, I carried my fiddle with me in the wagon, and at nearlyevery ranch we passed we stopped and had a dance. Not over once a weekdid we send in cattle to the ranch to brand, and on meeting the rodeofrom below, Deweese had over three thousand of our cattle. After takingthese in and branding the calves, we worked over our home range untilnear the holidays.On our return to the ranch, we learned that young Blas Travino fromthe Mission had passed Las Palomas some days before. He had stopped inpassing; but, finding the ranchero absent, plead a matter of business atSanta Maria, promising to call on his return. He was then at the ranchon the Tarancalous, and hourly expecting his reappearance, the women ofthe household were in an agitated state of mind. Since the formal answerhad been sent, no word had come from Don Blas and a rival had meanwhilesprung up in the person of Fidel Trujillo. Within a month after hisemployment I noticed the new vaquero casting shy glances at Juana, butuntil the cow hunt on the Frio I did not recognize the fine handwritingof the old matchmaker. Though my services were never called for asinterpreter between Uncle Lance and the new man, any one could see therewas an understanding between them. That the old ranchero was pushingFidel forward was evident during the fall cow hunting by his sendingthat Mexican into Las Palomas with every bunch of cattle gathered.That evening Don Blas rode into the ranch, accompanied by FatherNorquin. The priest belonged at the Mission, and their meeting at SantaMaria might, of course, have been accidental. None of the padre'sparishioners at headquarters were expecting him, however, for severalmonths, and padres are able padrinos,--sometimes, among their ownfaith, even despotic. Taking account, as it appeared, of the ulteriormotive, Uncle Lance welcomed the arrivals with a hearty hospitality,which to a stranger seemed so genuine as to dispel any suspicion. Notin many a day had a visitor at Las Palomas received more courteousconsideration than did Father Norquin. The choicest mint which grew inthe inclosures about the wells was none too good for the juleps whichwere concocted by Miss Jean. Had the master and mistress of the ranchbeen communicants of his church, the rosy-cheeked padre could havereceived no more marked attention.The conversation touched lightly on various topics, until Santa Mariaranch was mentioned, when Uncle Lance asked the padre if Don Mateo hadyet built him a chapel. The priest shrugged his shoulders deprecatinglyand answered the question with another,--when Las Palomas proposedbuilding a place of worship."Well, Father, I'm glad you've brought the matter up again," replied thehost. "That I should have lived here over forty years and never doneanything for your church or my people who belong to your faith, iscertainly saying little in my behalf. I never had the matter broughthome to me so clearly as during last summer's drouth. Do you rememberthat old maxim regarding when the devil was sick? Well, I was good andsick. If you had happened in then and had asked for a chapel,--not thatI have any confidence in your teaching,--you could have got a churchwith a steeple on it. I was in such sore straits that the women werekept busy making candles, and we burnt them in every jacal until thehour of deliverance."Helping himself from the proffered snuffbox of the padre, the hostturned to his guest, and in all sincerity continued: "Yes, Father, Iought to build you a nice place of worship. We could quarry the rockduring idle time, and burn our own lime right here on the ranch. Whileyou are here, give me some plans, and we'll show you that the whiteelement of Las Palomas are not such hopeless heretics as you suppose.Now, if we build the chapel, I'm just going to ask one favor in return:I expect to die and be buried on this ranch. You're a younger man bytwenty years and will outlive me, and on the day of my burial I wantyou to lay aside your creed and preach my funeral in this little chapelwhich you and I are going to build. I have been a witness to theself-sacrifice of you and other priests ever since I lived here.Father, I like an honest man, and the earnestness of your cloth for thebetterment of my people no one can question. And my covenant is, thatyou are to preach a simple sermon, merely commemorating the fact thathere lived a man named Lovelace, who died and would be seen among hisfellow men no more. These being facts, you can mention them; but beyondthat, for fear our faiths might differ, the less said the better. Won'tyou have another mint julep before supper? No? You will, won't you, DonBlas?"That the old ranchero was in earnest about building a chapel on LasPalomas there was no doubt. In fact, the credit should be given to MissJean, for she had been urging the matter ever since my coming to theranch. At headquarters and outlying ranchitas on the land, there werenearly twenty families, or over a hundred persons of all ages. But thatthe old matchmaker was going to make the most out of his opportunity byerecting the building at an opportune time, there was not the shadow ofa question.The evening passed without mention of the real errand of our guests. Theconversation was allowed to wander at will, during which several timesit drifted into gentle repartee between host and padre, both artfullyavoiding the rock of matchmaking. But the next morning, as if anxious tobegin the day's work early, Father Norquin, on arising, inquired forhis host, strutted out to the corrals, and, on meeting him, promptlyinquired why, during the previous summer, Don Alejandro Travino'smission to obtain the hand of Juana Leal had failed."That's so," assented Uncle Lance, very affably, "Don Alejandro was hereas godfather to his nephew. And this young man with you is Don Blas,the bear? Well, why did we waste so much time last night talking aboutchapels and death when we might have made a match in less time? Youpriests have everything in your favor as padrinos, but you are so slowthat a rival might appear and win the girl while you were drumming upyour courage. I don't write Spanish myself, but I have boys here on theranch who do. One of them, if I remember rightly, wrote the answer atthe request of Juana's mother. If my memory hasn't failed me entirely,the parents objected to being separated from their only daughter. Youknow how that is among your people; and I never like to interfere infamily matters. But from what I hear Don Blas has a rival now. Yes;young Travino failed to press his suit, and a girl will stand for nearlyanything but neglect. But that's one thing they won't stand for, notwhen there's a handsome fellow at hand to play the bear. Then the oldlover is easily forgotten for the new. Eh, Father?""Ah, Don Lance, I know your reputation as a matchmaker," replied FatherNorquin, in a rich French accent. "Report says had you not had a hand init the match would have been successful. The supposition is that it onlylacked your approval. The daughter of a vaquero refusing a Travino? Tut,tut, man!"A hearty guffaw greeted these aspersions. "And so you've heard I was amatchmaker, have you? Of course, you believed it just like any other oldgranny. Now, of course, when I'm asked by any of my people to act aspadrino, I never refuse any more than you do. I've made many a matchand hope to be spared to make several more. But come; they're calling usto breakfast, and after that we'll take a walk over to the ranch buryingground. It's less than a half mile--in that point of encinal yonder. Iwant to show you what I think would be a nice spot for our chapel."The conversation during breakfast was artfully directed by the host toavoid the dangerous shoals, though the padre constantly kept an eye onJuana as she passed back and forth. As we arose from the table and werepassing to the gallery, Uncle Lance nudged the priest, and, poking DonBlas in the ribs, said: "Isn't Juana a stunning fine cook? Got up thatbreakfast herself. There isn't an eighteen-year-old girl in Texas whocan make as fine biscuits as she does. But Las Palomas raises just asfine girls as she does horses and cattle. The rascal who gets her fora wife can thank his lucky stars. Don Blas, you ought to have me forpadrino. Your uncle and the padre here are too poky. Why, if I wasmaking a match for as fine a girl as Juana is, I'd set the river afirebefore I'd let an unfavorable answer discourage me. Now, the padre andI are going for a short walk, and we'll leave you here at the house towork out your own salvation. Don't pay any attention to the mistress,and I want to tell you right now, if you expect to win Juana, neverdepend on old fogy padrinos like your uncle and Father Norquin. Do alittle hustling for yourself."The old ranchero and the priest were gone nearly an hour, and on theirreturn looked at another site in the rear of the Mexican quarters. Itwas a pretty knoll, and as the two joined us where we were repairing awindmill at the corrals, Father Norquin, in an ecstasy of delight, said:"Well, my children, the chapel is assured at Las Palomas. Don Lancewanted to build it over in the encinal, with twice as nice a site righthere in the rancho. We may need the building for a school some day,and if we should, we don't want it a mile away. The very idea! And themaster tells me that a chapel has been the wish of his sister for years.Poor woman--to have such a brother. I must hasten to the house and thankher."No sooner had the padre started than I was called aside by my employer."Tom," said he, "you slip around to Tia Inez's jacal and tell her thatI'm going to send Father Norquin over to see her. Tell her to stand firmon not letting Juana leave the ranch for the Mission. Tell her that I'vepromised the padre a chapel for Las Palomas, and rather than miss it,the priest would consign the whole Travino family to endless perdition.Tell her to laugh at his scoldings and inform him that Juana can get ahusband without going so far. And that you heard me say that I was goingto give Fidel, the day he married her daughter, the same number ofheifers that all her brothers got. Impress it on Tia Inez's mind that itmeans something to be born to Las Palomas."I set out on my errand and he hastened away to overtake the padrebefore the latter reached the house. Tia Inez welcomed me, no doubtanticipating that I was the bearer of some message. When I gave her themessage her eyes beamed with gratitude and she devoutly crossed herbreast invoking the blessing of the saints upon the master. I added afew words of encouragement of my own--that I understood that when wequarried the rock for the chapel, there was to be enough extra cut tobuild a stone cottage for Juana and Fidel. This was pure invention on mypart, but I felt a very friendly interest in Las Palomas, for I expectedto bring my bride to it as soon as possible. Therefore, if I could helpthe present match forward by the use of a little fiction, why not?Father Norquin's time was limited at Las Palomas, as he was underappointment to return to Santa Maria that evening. Therefore it becamean active morning about the ranch. Long before we had finished therepairs on the windmill, a mozo from the house came out to the corralsto say I was wanted by the master. Returning with the servant, I foundUncle Lance and the mistress of the ranch entertaining their companybefore a cheerful fire in the sitting-room. On my entrance, my employersaid:--"Tom, I have sent for you because I want you to go over with the padreto the jacal of Juana's parents. Father Norquin here is such an oldgranny that he believes I interfered, or the reply of last summer wouldhave been favorable. Now, Tom, you're not to open your mouth one wayor the other. The padre will state his errand, and the old couple willanswer him in your presence. Don Blas will remain here, and whatever theanswer is, he and I must abide by it. Really, as I have said, I haveno interest in the match, except the welfare of the girl. Go on now,Father, and let's see what you can do as a padrino."As we arose to go, Miss Jean interposed and suggested that, out ofdeference to Father Norquin, the old couple be sent for, but her brotherobjected. He wanted the parents to make their own answer beneath theirown roof, unembarrassed by any influence. As we left the room, the oldmatchmaker accompanied us as far as the gate, where he halted and saidto the padre:--"Father Norquin, in a case like the present, you will not mind my sayingthat your wish is not absolute, and I am sending a witness with you tosee that you issue no peremptory orders on this ranch. And remember,that this old couple have been over thirty years in my employ, andtemper your words to them as you would to your own parents, were theyliving. Juana was born here, which means a great deal, and with theapproval of her parents, she'll marry the man of her choice, and nopadrino, let him be priest or layman, can crack his whip on the soilof Las Palomas to the contrary. As my guest, you must excuse me fortalking so plain, but my people are as dear to me as your church is toyou."As my employer turned and leisurely walked back to the house, FatherNorquin stood stock-still. I was slightly embarrassed myself, but it waseasily to be seen that the padre's plans had received a severe shock. Imade several starts toward the Mexican quarters before the priest shookaway his hesitations and joined me. That the old ranchero's words hadagitated him was very evident in his voice and manner. Several times hestopped me and demanded explanations, finally raising the question of arival. I told him all I knew about the matter; that Fidel, a new vaqueroon the ranch, had found favor in Juana's eyes, that he was a favoriteman with master and mistress, but what view the girl's parents tookof the matter I was unable to say. This cleared up the situationwonderfully, and the padre brightened as we neared the jacal.Tiburcio was absent, and while awaiting his return, the priest becameamiable and delivered a number of messages from friends and relatives atthe Mission. Tia Inez was somewhat embarrassed at first, but graduallygrew composed, and before the return of her husband all three of us werechatting like cronies. On the appearance of Tio Tiburcio, coffee wasordered and the padre told several good stories, over which we alllaughed heartily. Cigarettes were next, and in due time Father Norquinvery good naturedly inquired why an unfavorable answer, regarding themarriage of their daughter with young Blas Travino, had been returnedthe previous summer. The old couple looked at each other a moment, whenthe husband turned in his chair, and with a shrug of his shoulders anda jerk of his head, referred the priest to his wife. Tia Inez met thepadre's gaze, and in a clear, concise manner, and in her native tongue,gave her reasons. Father Norquin explained the prominence of the Travinofamily and their disappointment over the refusal, and asked if thedecision was final, to which he received an affirmative reply. Insteadof showing any displeasure, he rose to take his departure, turning inthe doorway to say to the old couple:--"My children, peace and happiness in this life is a priceless blessing.I should be untrue to my trust did I counsel a marriage that would givea parent a moment of unhappiness. My blessing upon this house and itsdwellers, and upon its sons and daughters as they go forth to homes oftheir own." While he lifted his hand in benediction, the old couple andmyself bowed our heads for a moment, after which the padre and I passedoutside.I was as solemn as an owl, yet inwardly delighted at the turn ofaffairs. But Father Norquin had nothing to conceal, while delight waswreathed all over his rosy countenance. Again and again he stopped meto make inquiries about Fidel, the new vaquero. That lucky rascal was agood-looking native, a much larger youth than the aspiring Don Blas, andI pictured him to the padre as an Adonis. To the question if he was inthe ranch at present, fortune favored me, as Fidel and nearly all theregular vaqueros were cutting timbers in the encinal that day with whichto build new corrals at one of the outlying tanks. As he would notreturn before dark, and I knew the padre was due at Santa Maria thatevening, my description of him made Don Blas a mere pigmy incomparison. But we finally reached the house, and on our reenteringthe sitting-room, young Travino very courteously arose and stood untilFather Norquin should be seated. But the latter faced his parishioner,saying:--"You young simpleton, what did you drag me up here for on a fool'serrand? I was led to believe that our generous host was the instigatorof the unfavorable answer to your uncle's negotiations last summer. NowI have the same answer repeated from the lips of the girl's parents.Consider the predicament in which you have placed a servant of theChurch. Every law of hospitality has been outraged through yourimbecility. And to complete my humiliation, I have received onlykindness on every hand. The chapel which I have desired for years isnow a certainty, thanks to the master and mistress of Las Palomas. Whatapology can I offer for your"--"Hold on there, Father," interrupted Uncle Lance. "If you owe this ranchany apology, save your breath for a more important occasion. Don Blas isall right; any suitor who would not be jealous over a girl like Juana isnot welcome at Las Palomas. Why, when I was his age I was suspicious ofmy sweetheart's own father, and you should make allowance for this youngman's years and impetuosity. Sit down, Father, and let's have a talkabout this chapel--that's what interests me most right now. You see,within a few days my boys will have all the palisades cut for the newcorrals, and then we can turn our attention to getting out the rock forthe chapel. We have a quarry of nice soft stone all opened up, and I'llput a dozen vaqueros to blocking out the rock in a few days. We alwayshave a big stock of zacahuiste grass on hand for thatching jacals,plenty of limestone to burn for the lime, sand in abundance, and all welack is the masons. You'll have to send them out from the Mission, butI'll pay them. Oh, I reckon the good Lord loves Las Palomas, for you seeHe's placed everything convenient with which to build the chapel."Father Norquin could not remain seated, but paced the room enumeratingthe many little adornments which the mother church would be glad tosupply. Enthusiastic as a child over a promised toy, no other thoughtentered the simple padre's mind, until dinner was announced. And allduring the meal, the object of our guest's mission was entirely lostsight of, in contemplation of the coming chapel. The padre seemed asanxious to avoid the subject of matchmaking as his host, while poor DonBlas sat like a willing sacrifice, unable to say a word. I sympathizedwith him, for I knew what it was to meet disappointment. At theconclusion of the mid-day repast, Father Norquin flew into a greatbustle in preparing to start for Santa Maria, and I was dispatched forthe horses. Our guests and my employer were waiting at the stile when Iled up their mounts, and at final parting the old matchmaker said to thepriest:--"Now, remember, I expect you to have this chapel completed by EasterSunday, when I want you to come out and spend at least two weeks with usand see that it is finished to suit you, and arrange for the dedication.Las Palomas will build the chapel, but when our work is done yourscommences. And I want to tell you right now, there's liable to beseveral weddings in it before the mortar gets good and dry. I have it onpretty good authority that one of my boys and Pierre Vaux's eldest girlare just about ready to have you pronounce them man and wife. No, he'snot of any faith, but she's a good Catholic. Now, look here, FatherNorquin, if I have to proselyte you to my way of thinking, it'll neverhurt you any. I was never afraid to do what was right, and when at LasPalomas you needn't be afraid either, even if we have to start a newcreed. Well, good-by to both of you."We had a windmill to repair that afternoon, some five miles from theranch, so that I did not return to the house until evening; but when allgathered around the supper table that night, Uncle Lance was throwingbouquets at himself for the crafty manner in which he had switched thepadre from his mission, and yet sent him away delighted. He admittedthat he was scared on the appearance of Father Norquin as a padrino,on account of the fact that a priest was usually supreme among his ownpeople. That he had early come to the conclusion if there was to be anycoercion used in this case, he was determined to get in his bluff first.But Miss Jean ridiculed the idea that there was any serious danger."Goodness me, Lance," said she, "I could have told you there was nocause for alarm. In this case between Fidel and Juana, I've been a veryliberal chaperon. Oh, well, now, never mind about the particulars. Once,to try his nerve, I gave him a chance, and I happen to know the rascalkissed her the moment my back was turned. Oh, I think Juana will stay atLas Palomas."