curious emblems that people bought for votive offerings. Little Mariano's
share in the work was to color the figures with blue and red paint, and
give a lifelike tint to the fruit and bouquets that the grandfather cast
from the white plaster.

Father Gonzales was their best customer, and used often to come up and
watch Mariano paint an image of the Virgin, just as he ordered it.
Mariano was very proud to receive Father Gonzales' approval; and when the
image was complete he would sometimes get a copper extra for delivering
the work to some stricken person that the priest wished especially to
remember. For one of Father Gonzales' peculiarities was that although he
bought lots of things he always gave them away.

Mariano used often to carry letters and packages for Father Gonzales.

One day the good priest came up the stairs quite out of breath. He
carried a letter in his hand.

"Here, Mariano, my boy, you can run, while my poor old legs are full of
rheumatism. Here, take this letter down to the Diligence Office and tell
them to send it tonight, sure. It is for the Bishop at Barcelona and it
must be in his hands before tomorrow. Run now, for the last post closes
very soon."

Mariano took the letter, dived hatless out of the door and, sitting on
the first stair, shot to the bottom like the slide to doom.

Grandfather Fortuny and the gentle old priest leaned out over the stone
window-sill and laughed to see the boy scurry down the street.