United States or Brazil ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Why don't you suggest that you know Spanish," remarked Barnes, "and perhaps you'll get the chance." Accordingly, when a little later, the final copy on the Alaskan schedules was turned in, Hamilton asked concerning the Porto Rican work, and ventured his slight familiarity with Spanish. "We have several translators," replied the chief, "but still, I suppose Mr. Alavero can make you useful.
"That would be just splendid," said Hamilton, his eyes shining, "but how about the Porto Rican report, Mr. Alavero?" "I think I can manage it," the other replied, endeavoring to suppress a smile, "and the chapter that you were working on is nearly done, isn't it?" "Yes, sir," the boy answered, "I can finish it in a couple of days." "That will be in plenty of time," the editor assured him.
"I was in Washington this last winter and I thought I should die of freezing." "You are from Porto Rico yourself, Mr. Alavero?" "I was never away from the island at all," was the reply, "never even on a steamboat until I came to the United States last autumn; I came to show the people in your Congress that the coffee growers of Porto Rico need help." "Why?"
Alavero will do the editorial work, as you call it, since he is the editor; you are to assist him in preparing tables and matters of that kind." But no sooner had the Bureau official gone than the Porto Rican came forward.
"What for?" "Seems to me, Alavero," said the Inspector, turning to the Porto Rican, "that you've been teaching this lad to ask questions. Out of the four remarks he has made since I came in, two have been questions. Fifty per cent is a high average. Well, I'll tell you," he added, turning to the boy, "it's just this: there are always some cities that aren't satisfied with the census.
I'll let you know later on." In a few moments he returned and beckoned to the boy, who followed him, with a word of farewell and thanks to the editor of the Alaskan schedules with whom he had enjoyed working greatly. "Mr. Alavero," the official said, introducing Hamilton, "this is Noble.
Alavero," said Hamilton the following morning, when he found himself at a table littered with maps and drawings of the island, with papers in Spanish and English, with reports and circulars containing pictures of the sub-tropical landscapes and towns of Porto Rico. "I have been doing nothing but Alaska for a month past." "Too cold!" the Porto Rican cried, with a shrug of the shoulders.
Word Of The Day