Page:Our Neighbor-Mexico.djvu/443

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A BRIBE SPURNED.
431

made Peg of San Antonio more beautiful than she really was. It was not powerful enough to transform the almuerzo into a breakfast of delights. There were limits to even its ability.

The end of the journey and its objective end are reached at one and the same time. The cause of our coming puts its doxology and benediction in at the end of our going. Against unseen and unnumbered foes, against Mexican procrastination, against possible treachery, against perils without and fears within, success is assured.

How great this peril was, a single fact illustrated. Mr. Sullivan was approached, the very day he had consummated the purchase, and when he yet held the titles in his own name, by the leading native broker of the city with an offer of five thousand dollars for his bargain. The offer was undoubtedly from a higher source, for the property had laid idle for years, and was of no possible use to the broker, there being acres of like convent ruins at his command over all the city. It was instigated by the archbishop, undoubtedly, who had watched the coming and going of these invading ministers, and who had supposed as they left the city, with no possessions secured, their mission had failed, and who only woke up to the fact after their departure, when, the papers having all been passed, it was allowed to creep forth that this Irish gentleman, the fear of every brigand, whom he had more than once made to know the accuracy of his shot, and whose protection at El Desierto showed like skill and pluck, the successful rebosa manufacturer and silver operator, had bought this central and spacious property for a Protestant Church.

But he mistook his man. The splendid bribe was spurned, and in due time the property was transferred to the real owners. It was soon fixed up as the residence for its missionary, school for girls, and the beautiful audience-room of the Trinity Church. The Christmas following saw the joyful consummation of this undertaking in the dedication of this church by the services of Rev. Drs. Butler, Carter, Cooper, Ramirez, Guerro, and Señors Hernando, Pascoe, and Morales. A large audience filled its handsome audi-