Stories of Paraná - Boots of gold coins

Stories of Paraná - Boots of gold coins

The boots of gold coins
Tulio Vargas

This is not a tale of Grimm or Andersen, but a story really true. It is known that the ancients did not trust the whites to deposit money.
They wore the most cunning artifices to conceal economies, away from the covetous eyes of strangers.
Account book "Tenorio - the man and the myth" of Do Carmo Fortes, that Colonel Feline Tenorio, relative and protector of his father, he kept the pecuniary in large chests, in the basement of the farmhouse, authentic safes watched by faithful servants, armed to the teeth.
It happened once that the unhealthiness of the basement did rotting paper money and coins lost value, already out of circulation.
That was how the system worked the particular financial period, despite these oversights and losses.
It was the routine of the northeastern hinterland.
There were other wealthy, however.
These examples tell us Ermelino Lion death of José Luiz Gomes, Antonina.
Portuguese worker bafejado by fortune, soon won prominent position in commerce and industry incipient coast.
He was among the richest men in
Province of Paraná.
Despite all sufficiency was unhappy. Did not enjoy the happiness of fatherhood and suffered the heartbreak of losing his wife still young.
Directed all his affection for family rest.
Bolstered the old father and stepmother, even when widowed.
It worried him the figure of their holdings, however.
Almost alone, knew that aroused the envy and ambition of those who surrounded him.
Served him safe a boot full of gold coins.
Perceived long and watchful eyes of servants.
Resolved guard.
Concealed the boot, stuck in thick wall, plastered again.
It was a safe hiding place.
Thought so.
Gone are the days and weeks.
One Sunday, absent from the family farm, José Luiz almost exclusively, the assault happened.
Slaves murdered him and fled after looting, taking everything.
Disappeared savings accumulated for years and years.
Discovered the crime, Dorothéia housewife, mother in law, provided that, in pursuit of criminals, followed escorts. And vultuoso promised prize to whoever brought him the heads.
The bandit murderer was found on the island of Goulart.
Fenced, could not resist.
The procedure was then summary execution.
The corpses were conducted to Antonina and then to farm José Luiz.
Quartered and exposed on poles, as a lesson.
The unfortunate Lusitanian leave a will, bequeathing the poor part of its properties. The site of the Pines, with the mills, his nephew and godson Francisco Gomes Cordeiro.
This crime, which shook the coastal population, modified for awhile habits in vogue to save money at home.

Tulio Vargas, former deputy, member of the Academy of Arts Paranaense.


Source: Stories of Paraná, Brasil.