Did the
consul happen to have heard of any such valley?
Had he heard of them? He had heard of fifty.
He had not, indeed, heard of much else. How could
he help hearing of them?
Could the consul, then, recommend one or two valleys
which might be for sale? Or was it, perhaps, impossible
to buy a foothold in such an Eden?
For sale! There was nothing in the country, so far
as the friend knew to whom the consul presented them,
which was not for sale. Anywhere in Queretaro; or why
should they not go to the Baxio? No; that was too flat
and too far off. There were pretty places round Xalapa.
Oh, plenty of plantations for sale. But they need not go
so far. Anywhere on the rise of Chiquihiti.
Was the friend quite sure that there were no plumbers
in the regions he named?
"Never a plumber in Mexico."
Any life-insurance men?
"Not one." The prudent friend did not add, "Risk too high."
Were the public schools graded schools or district schools?
"Not a public school in six provinces."
Would the neighbors be offended if we do not call?
"Cut your throats if you did."
Did the friend think there would be many tramps?
The friend seemed more doubtful here, but suggested
that the occasional use of a six-shooter reduced the
number, and gave a certain reputation to the premises
where it was employed which diminished much tramping
afterward, and said that the law did not object to this
method.
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