ne, and not
your true friend and servant, Concho." In six days, Don Alexandro, the
year of probation is over, and I have promised my daughter's hand to
your son. (Hands letter to MORTON.)

Old Morton (ringing bell). Is that all, Mr. Castro?

Don Jose. All, Mr. Castro? Carramba! is it not enough?

Enter JACKSON.

Old Morton (to JACKSON). You have kept a record of this business during
the last eighteen months. Look at this letter. (Handing letter.) Is the
handwriting familiar?

Jackson (taking letter). Can't say, sir. The form is the old one.

Old Morton. How many such letters have you received?

Jackson. Four hundred and forty-one, sir. This is the four hundred and
forty-second application for your son's position, sir.

Don Jose. Pardon. This is not an application: it is only information or
caution.

Old Morton (to JACKSON). How many letters of information or caution have
we received?

Jackson. This makes seven hundred and eighty-one, sir.

Old Morton. How, sir! (Quickly.) There were but seven hundred and
seventy-nine last night.

Jackson. Beg pardon, sir! The gentleman who carried Mr. Alexander's
valise from the boat was the seven hundred and eightieth.

Old Morton. Explain yourself, sir.

Jackson. He imparted to me, while receiving his stipend, the fact that
he did not believe young Mr. Alexander was your son. An hour later,
sir, he also imparted to me confidentially that he believed you were his
father, and requested the loan of five dollars, to be repaid by you,
to enable him to purchase a clean shirt, and appear before you in
respectable condition. He waited for you an hour, and expressed some
indignation that he had not an equal show with others to throw himself
into your arms.

Don Jose (rising, aside, and uplifting his hands). Carramba! These
Americanos are of the Devil! (Aloud.) Enough, Don Alexandro! Then you
think this letter is only worth--

Old Morton. One moment. I can perhaps tell you exactly its market value.
(To JACKSON.) Go on, sir.

Jackson. At half-past ten, sir, then being slightly under the influence
of liquor, he accepted the price of a deck passage to Stockton.

Old Morton. How much was that, sir?

Jackson. Fifty cents.

Old Morton. Exactly so! There you have, sir (to DON JOSE), the market
value of the information you have received. I would advise you, as a
business matter, not to pay more. As a business matter, you can at any
time draw upon us for the amount. (To JACKSO