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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 21

CHAPTER SEVEN 
LENO AND MARIA

Meanwhile, Zeferino had gotten together the tremendous sum of $8.00 U.S. dollars in order to purchase a visa to travel across the border into the United States. His first stop was San Antonio, Texas which was one of the many hubs from where on could learn of prospective employment. Jobs were virtually of every type from farm workers to carpenters and Zeferino filled a request as a handyman in the state of Oklahoma. 

During Zeferino's one year absence. Jesusa managed to put the home back into order, arrange for the children to enroll in school, and set up her small store. Their future looked brighter compared to a year ago. The Revolution, however, was not over for there were many still unhappy with the social structure. Regardless, Jesusa was concerned with other matters. Once again Jesusa and the children were waiting for Zeferino's return but for a different reason. 

Ironic that investors had taken resources out of Mexico leaving little for its people. Ironic because its people were left with little recourse but to leave their country, find work, and return to buy their goods with foreign earned money. Instead of with empty pockets and an empty stomach, Zeferino would return with enough to purchase a few head of livestock. He never realized in his wildest dream that such a course would need to be followed before he was able to own his own oxen and burro. The servants in his dreams? Well, they were not so important. What was important was that he had returned safely once again to his family. Confident that he now was able to rebuild what was torn down by the chaotic conditions of his country.

"Jesusa, you would not believe the people and the way of life the Northerns have!" Zeferino excitedly told his wife as they sat at the kitchen table in their home in Valle de Santiago. "The different kinds of people our Lord has put on this earth,. In our country, we can hardly get along and we are mostly of the same kind. There, it seemed impossible. So many different languages. In just one day, I cam across someone from China, another from Germany, and yet another from Japan. Now we have enough money to get another start with the livestock I will buy. With God's creatures, I can work someone's farm on a larger scale than ever before. I have inquired as to the best place to farm and all seem to agree that the best opportunities lay just a few miles south from here in a place called Hacienda de Botija. It would be to our advantage to start there. Oh, I have been rattling on so have I not? How have things been going for you, Jesusa? Have the children been much of a burden for you while I have been away? My mother, Pamposa, still running thing?"

"Zeferino, I am glad you did not decide for us to move to the north as so many have done." Jesusa replied. "Our new plans to move to Botija sound exciting and compared to the adjustments we have had to make in the past, this move to Botija is no trouble. I wish I could report on the children with equal enthusiasm. My husband, the children have not done so well; especially Maria. Otilio, he is holding his own but Maria has missed so much in the 

21.

Saving...

CHAPTER SEVEN LENO AND MARIA Meanwhile, Zeferino had gotten together the tremendous sum of $8.00 U.S. dollars in order to purchase a visa to travel across the border into the United States. His first stop was San Antonio, Texas which was one of the many hubs from where on could learn of prospective employment. Jobs were virtually of every type from farm workers to carpenters and Zeferino filled a request as a handyman in the state of Oklahoma. During Zeferino's one year absence. Jesusa managed to put the home back into order, arrange for the children to enroll in school, and set up her small store. Their future looked brighter compared to a year ago. The Revolution, however, was not over for there were many still unhappy with the social structure. Regardless, Jesusa was concerned with other matters. Once again Jesusa and the children were waiting for Zeferino's return but for a different reason. Ironic that investors had taken resources out of Mexico leaving little for its people. Ironic because its people were left with little recourse but to leave their country, find work, and return to buy their goods with foreign earned money. Instead of with empty pockets and an empty stomach, Zeferino would return with enough to purchase a few head of livestock. He never realized in his wildest dream that such a course would need to be followed before he was able to own his own oxen and burro. The servants in his dreams? Well, they were not so important. What was important was that he had returned safely once again to his family. Confident that he now was able to rebuild what was torn down by the chaotic conditions of his country. "Jesusa, you would not believe the people and the way of life the Northerns have!" Zeferino excitedly told his wife as they sat at the kitchen table in their home in Valle de Santiago. "The different kinds of people our Lord has put on this earth,. In our country, we can hardly get along and we are mostly of the same kind. There, it seemed impossible. So many different languages. In just one day, I cam across someone from China, another from Germany, and yet another from Japan. Now we have enough money to get another start with the livestock I will buy. With God's creatures, I can work someone's farm on a larger scale than ever before. I have inquired as to the best place to farm and all seem to agree that the best opportunities lay just a few miles south from here in a place called Hacienda de Botija. It would be to our advantage to start there. Oh, I have been rattling on so have I not? How have things been going for you, Jesusa? Have the children been much of a burden for you while I have been away? My mother, Pamposa, still running thing?" "Zeferino, I am glad you did not decide for us to move to the north as so many have done." Jesusa replied. "Our new plans to move to Botija sound exciting and compared to the adjustments we have had to make in the past, this move to Botija is no trouble. I wish I could report on the children with equal enthusiasm. My husband, the children have not done so well; especially Maria. Otilio, he is holding his own but Maria has missed so much in the 21.