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

Page 38

At the end of each day, barely enough energy was left to them to feed themselves. There was other Mexican families in the area doing the same type of labor and the Cano family was able to make social contact with a few of them. Maria made friends with one woman in particular by the name of Senora Arguella. A much older lady, Senora Arguella perhaps saw herself in young Maria and took her under her wing teaching her how to properly use the wood burning stove and how to select the groceries at the company store. The owner of the store always gave them credit for what they bought as their employer insisted on paying the bill himself out of Leno's wages. because of this arrangement. Leno never really knew exactly what was his take home pay. 

As the weeks grew into months, they became tolerable of the schedule although the severity of the work was always a struggle. One day they were returning for their noon day lunch to a prearranged place, Maria noticed that the girls were not there. She had left them alone nearby to play and would visually check on them from the field. This time, however, she had forgotten to watch. She became more and more concerned as she approached the spot where she had last sen them. 

"Leno... Leno," she shouted. "Where are the children? Do you see them anywhere? Eleeena... Maria Guadalupe, answer me." Maria ran over to a shady spot under a nearby tree in hope that they might be asleep under it. Then she ran to a nearby road and saw no one. She returned to Leno panic stricken. 

"Leno... I cannot find them anywhere! Hurry, go to Mr. Martin and make him understand that the children are missing and that we need his help to find them. Hurry Leno, run!"

"Don't worry, Maria." Leno replied. "We will find them. They could not have gone far."

Within a short time, Leno returned with Mr. Martin and they climbed into the wagon to begin the search. When they came upon the first farm house. Maria noticed the two girls standing on the front porch. Maria lifted her eyes to the heavens and made the sign of the cross. Leno gave a sigh of relief. When the wagon stopped, Maria jumped to the ground and ran over to them mixed with anger and relief. 

"What are you doing her?" she asked both of them in an angry tone. "Why did you leave your place? It was agreed that you would always wait for us. You see the trouble you have caused us? Well, what do you have to say for yourselves? " Elena, frightened by the seriousness in the tone of her mother's voice, began to cry as she tried to explain what had happened. 

Mama, me and Maria Guadalupe went down to the road to pick some flowers for you. I guess we walked too far because I could not remember my way back. Then, this very old man with gray hair came by in his wagon and gave us a ride to this house. He told us to wait here and not be afraid for you would be coming by in a short time to get us. He went on down that road. I am sorry, mama."

38.

Saving...

At the end of each day, barely enough energy was left to them to feed themselves. There was other Mexican families in the area doing the same type of labor and the Cano family was able to make social contact with a few of them. Maria made friends with one woman in particular by the name of Senora Arguella. A much older lady, Senora Arguella perhaps saw herself in young Maria and took her under her wing teaching her how to properly use the wood burning stove and how to select the groceries at the company store. The owner of the store always gave them credit for what they bought as their employer insisted on paying the bill himself out of Leno's wages. because of this arrangement. Leno never really knew exactly what was his take home pay. As the weeks grew into months, they became tolerable of the schedule although the severity of the work was always a struggle. One day they were returning for their noon day lunch to a prearranged place, Maria noticed that the girls were not there. She had left them alone nearby to play and would visually check on them from the field. This time, however, she had forgotten to watch. She became more and more concerned as she approached the spot where she had last sen them. "Leno... Leno," she shouted. "Where are the children? Do you see them anywhere? Eleeena... Maria Guadalupe, answer me." Maria ran over to a shady spot under a nearby tree in hope that they might be asleep under it. Then she ran to a nearby road and saw no one. She returned to Leno panic stricken. "Leno... I cannot find them anywhere! Hurry, go to Mr. Martin and make him understand that the children are missing and that we need his help to find them. Hurry Leno, run!" "Don't worry, Maria." Leno replied. "We will find them. They could not have gone far." Within a short time, Leno returned with Mr. Martin and they climbed into the wagon to begin the search. When they came upon the first farm house. Maria noticed the two girls standing on the front porch. Maria lifted her eyes to the heavens and made the sign of the cross. Leno gave a sigh of relief. When the wagon stopped, Maria jumped to the ground and ran over to them mixed with anger and relief. "What are you doing her?" she asked both of them in an angry tone. "Why did you leave your place? It was agreed that you would always wait for us. You see the trouble you have caused us? Well, what do you have to say for yourselves? " Elena, frightened by the seriousness in the tone of her mother's voice, began to cry as she tried to explain what had happened. Mama, me and Maria Guadalupe went down to the road to pick some flowers for you. I guess we walked too far because I could not remember my way back. Then, this very old man with gray hair came by in his wagon and gave us a ride to this house. He told us to wait here and not be afraid for you would be coming by in a short time to get us. He went on down that road. I am sorry, mama." 38.