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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985
Page 18
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CHAPTER SIX LENO AND MARIA One Mexican analysist once wrote in 1895 that the hacendados (owners of the haciendas) ... refused absolutely to rent pasture land to their weak neighbors, who have seen their cattle die of hunger in the years of prolonged drought while before their eyes lay vast stretches of grassland hardly trod by the light foot of the deer. Life of the farm worker ranged from moderately bad to hideous. On the worst haciendas brutal treatment was common. As one observer summed it up. Many overseers regarded the farm worker as an animal and then treated him worse. He was beaten and tortured. And if the majordomo beat an incorrigible one to death, the local authorities understood the difficulties perfectly, The hacendados held the power to control the lives not only of the farm workers on their haciendas but on the small local landholders as well. About four hours by cart from the Valle de Santiago such a small landholder tended his farm on the rancho Jinaja by the name of Antonio Savayos. Fortunately, Senor Savayos was content to have his land farmed by his workers in exchange for a modest wage and a share of the crop. One of Senor Savayos's workers was a young man by the name of Prudenciano Cano who worked as a handyman on his farm In this way, he was able to provide a living for his wife, Rita and his three boys, Juan, Cipriano, Magdaleno, and one daughter Josepha, Needless to say, Senor Savayos could have been easily replaced by one not so liberal. Imagine the uncertainty with which Prudenciano had to cope. Would he remain or move on if such a situation arose? To remain would have its compromises and to move on would mean needing immediate means of food and shelter for Rita and the young children. Fortunately, this condition did not come about so he was able to live day by day without this additional burden. However, a burden spared in one area was replaced by another. The patrols that searched throughout the countryside made it even more difficult for those left behind to sustain themselves. Like Jesusa Rodriguez, Rita Cano also suddenly found herself alone with the responsibilities of her family. The supply of food gradually became less and less as the soldiers depleted whatever they harvested. It would not be enough to depend entirely on their share of the crop. One day, Rita gathered her children together in order to instruct them in what they must do to hold on until their father's return. "Children, the leva has not spared your father. It is up to us to care for ourselves until he returns. You 18.
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CHAPTER SIX LENO AND MARIA One Mexican analysist once wrote in 1895 that the hacendados (owners of the haciendas) ... refused absolutely to rent pasture land to their weak neighbors, who have seen their cattle die of hunger in the years of prolonged drought while before their eyes lay vast stretches of grassland hardly trod by the light foot of the deer. Life of the farm worker ranged from moderately bad to hideous. On the worst haciendas brutal treatment was common. As one observer summed it up. Many overseers regarded the farm worker as an animal and then treated him worse. He was beaten and tortured. And if the majordomo beat an incorrigible one to death, the local authorities understood the difficulties perfectly, The hacendados held the power to control the lives not only of the farm workers on their haciendas but on the small local landholders as well. About four hours by cart from the Valle de Santiago such a small landholder tended his farm on the rancho Jinaja by the name of Antonio Savayos. Fortunately, Senor Savayos was content to have his land farmed by his workers in exchange for a modest wage and a share of the crop. One of Senor Savayos's workers was a young man by the name of Prudenciano Cano who worked as a handyman on his farm In this way, he was able to provide a living for his wife, Rita and his three boys, Juan, Cipriano, Magdaleno, and one daughter Josepha, Needless to say, Senor Savayos could have been easily replaced by one not so liberal. Imagine the uncertainty with which Prudenciano had to cope. Would he remain or move on if such a situation arose? To remain would have its compromises and to move on would mean needing immediate means of food and shelter for Rita and the young children. Fortunately, this condition did not come about so he was able to live day by day without this additional burden. However, a burden spared in one area was replaced by another. The patrols that searched throughout the countryside made it even more difficult for those left behind to sustain themselves. Like Jesusa Rodriguez, Rita Cano also suddenly found herself alone with the responsibilities of her family. The supply of food gradually became less and less as the soldiers depleted whatever they harvested. It would not be enough to depend entirely on their share of the crop. One day, Rita gathered her children together in order to instruct them in what they must do to hold on until their father's return. "Children, the leva has not spared your father. It is up to us to care for ourselves until he returns. You 18.
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