José — page 132: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JOSE. 125 stills some occasional excitement into the routine of life!” “T think one should get accustomed to wait upon oneself as much as possible,” said Mary, rejecting the offered assistance of the maid, who seemed to have been engaged in putting the room in order as she divested herself of her riding-habit. “Take a seat, Hattie, if you have time, and let us chat a while.” The old housekeeper nodded approvingly, and did as she was requested. “T always have a few minutes of spare time,” she said, watching the dextrous manner in which the young lady arranged her toilet. “« Are we really so far from all human habitation as it appears?” asked Mary. “Well, miss, there’s a village or town, or what- ever you are pleased to call it, about fifteen miles up the river, where there is a station of the Santa Fe stage line, and that is the direction from which you reached the fort. There is nothing there, how- ever, except a dozen or fifteen cabins built of clay, each with a solitary opening for a window, besides two or three Yankee haberdashers who do trading with a small stock of goods, and make a good deal — of money. Their houses are the only ones that are a, trifle better than pig-pens. I was there twice, but that was enough to surfeit me of the ragged Mexi- cans and the rest of the community.” Mary had seated herself in her easy chair, lightly supporting her head in her hand. “Then there is a post-station within reach, at all events.” she said, thoughtfully; “you know when the stage passes through there, so that I may govern myself by it in case I should wish to let some news Eomichooks co