Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-10-01
THE BARBER OF MADRID


many time and off has he taken me by The nose
1.-THE only person would ever suffer 10 do that
deed) and amused me much with bis garrulity
that have not felt the raspngs Of his blunt razor
for his razor is generally blunt which he ascribes
10 the bristly nature Of the holy fathers boards Of
the convent of - who OF a the men IN Madrid's
neighbourhood, possess the strongest boards be.
cause he says they love feast better than fast
But Lopez overlows with good nature not cir.
cumstance occurs but he turns il into joke; he
laughs all day, you never catch frown upon
his face. once wagered iri1e that could make
him melancholy, so hired one Of the first guitar.
lists in Madrid to play under his window most
pensve strain, while dlscoursed to him ofloye's
delight and pain But what did he 7 lie took
down pair of castaneis and danced about his shop
so merrily that a crowd Of persons collected round
his door, whose cries completely drowned the pen
sive music ofthe guitar thus lost my wager, and
honest Lopez saved his reputation. But Lopez,
like most good.natured folks, have his good nature
played upon Spain has its rogues as well as our
mother country hers and Madrid, perhaps forms
as many cheats as London. So many tricks had
been practsed upon Lopez, that al length he grew
cautious he took NEPHEW into his house. to
slst him in looking after rogueries. Now, this
young gentleman was an honest wemeanng lad
but soft his unce's lather brush he had heart
tender as the BARRIERS, but head rather clearer,
and not being always dancing and singing, like the
barber, he had more time TO look into things
Many, the rogueries that Master Tomaso has dis.
covered many, the pickpurses that he has con-
signed to the hands OF justice.
II happened one night, shortly after Lopez
Muros, aud his nephew. Master Tomaso. had re-
tired to rest that low knocking was heard at the
door,
"Dosi hear that knock, uncle!' whispered Tom.
aso.
"Ay, truly" replied Lopez "some poor fellow
feels cold without, and is rubbing himself against
the shutters 10 warm himself
mo, uncle" rejoined Master Tomaso, 'the
knocks are repeated louder; aud methnks | hear
the voice ofNichoas Garcia who promised to bring
TO you-"
"tIush hush," cried the barber leaping out OF
his bed were it known that afford myself strong
brandy, ! might lose my customers 1t may be
Master Nicholas-and so, open the door, Tomaso,
aud be careful Of rogues."
Master Tonaso did open the door, expecting
there TO fluid young Nicholas, the watercarrier, but
he was mistaken tall man in large black vel
vet coat and a red collar stood before him "Santa
Maria % cried the stranger. "Let me come in
"Nay," quoth Tomaso, planting his foot in man
ner SO as to prevent the strangers entrance "You
come not within the door posts without a lawful
passpou."-''lt is here" murmured the stranger,
throwing open his large black cloak when Tomaso
started back, for there appeared beautiful young
girl clad in costly attire, with diadem upon her
head, and her soft blue eye glanced upon the youth
so mploringly that he was bereft ospeech, aud not
knowing what to do, he suffered the strangers 10
enter the shop, and the man in the black cloak to
close and bar the door.
"What is all that 2" cried Lopez from the inner
chamber "The voice OF Lopez Muros !" cried
the stranger. 81 know its Master Tomaso by your
leave" With a courtly bend, the stranger and his
charge progressed into the inner room, leaving
Tomaso in establishment and also in darkness, for
the stranger carried away the lamp. He was rous-
ed from his trance by the voice of his uncle calling
from within he, therefore, followed the strangers,
and found that the man had taken his seat at the
bed-foot Of his uncle
LOPEZ" said the stranger, with an air Of great
mystery, 1--WE know thee for good man and true,
at once therefore, reveal to thee most important
secret. There is no need of asking oaths from
such man. We have heard OF you, and caused
you to be watched for months past. The result is,
our cordial approval Lopez, thou art man
chosen from all Madrid 10 be entrusted with great
charge"
"Pray, pray, what may this be ?" cried the bar.
Der, who, from his horizontal position, had by de-
grees arose until he sat bolt upright in his bed,
looking unutterable things
"You have been heard more than once, Lopez,
TO express your hatred of the traitor Miguel"
Gay, truly, and say it again, should like to be
his executioner."
"You love the young Queen then 7"
Gay, Santa Maria. bless and prosper her r.
"Behod then, the Queen of Portugal" cried
the stranger, again unfolding his cloak. There
appeared The fair girl, standing in an attitude Of
majesty. The stranger fell upon his knee before
her, and Lopez would have leaped from his bed TO
offer the same respect, even in his night garments
had not Master Tomaso cunningly contrived TO
throw the blanket around him. Then the three
masculiues knelt at the feet Of the young Queen,
whose hand was graciousy extended to them 10
kiss.
Lopez could scarcely contain himself for Joy he
leaped, he danced he sang, aud played divers
vagares sometimes kneeling al the young Queens
feet, and at other times dancing about her, and
singing loyal songs, until the man in the black cloak
felt himself hound TO call him to order, and attend
to business. "You see," said he TO the barber.
"the confidence which the consitutionalisis repose
in you, The presence OF Donna Maria in Spain,
at this critical moment, may have the effect Of en-
listing all hearts in her service, and securing TO her
a triumphant entry into Lisbon, where the traitor
still holds out. Our proceedings must be very
carefully concealed, for if breath of her most
faithful Majesty being here should get abroad. ruin
will surely oyerwhelm us"
20 my Lord" cried Lopez, quite overcome
with loyalty, and the presence of such great people,
in his small bedchamber-"O my Lord, for that
you are a lord, your bearing and your guardianship
of the young Queen proclaim you, implicit conf.
denee may be placed 10 the poor barber of Mad
rid"
"Not the poor barber" reoined the man in the
black CLOAK, with smile, "for unless report be a
iase-tongued jade, your razor has cropped golden
harvest"
10 my Lord" simpered Lopez, ~ do confess
have picked trhe from the chins of my Gus