New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-15
pAYARD TAYLOR'S LETTERS
Xxx
THE Birdie ROADS OF ANDALUSIA.
Editorial correspondenee of The n. Y, Tribss
RoNpA. Spain Monday Nov. 81, 1872


THE Birdie ROADS OF ANDALUSIA
Editorial corre.pondenee Of The n. Y. Trbsse
RoNDA, Spain, Monday, Nov. 81, 1852
While was in the Alhambra the storm final
y cleared away, and the sky came ont bright
and blue. On reaching the hotel found little
man, nicknamed Napoleon, awaiting me. He
was desirOns to furnish me with horses, and,
having a prophetic knowledge of the weather,
promised me bright sky az far az Gibraltar.
Il furnish all the Seniors" said he "they know
me- and never complain of me or my horses
but by way of security, on making the bargain,
j threatened TO put up a card in the hotel at
Gibraltar, warning all travellers against him, in
case | was not satisfied. Ny contract was for two
horses and guide, who were to be ready at sun
rise the next morning Napoleon was as good as
his word, and before had finished an early cup
of chocolate there was little black Anlalusian
stallion awaiting me. The aitoras, or saddle
bags, of the guide were strengthened by stock
of cold provisions, the leathern bota hanging
beside il was filed with ripe Granada wine, and
now behold me ambling over the vega, accou-
tired in a gay Andalusian jacket, sash woven
by MateO XImenes, and one Ofthose bandbOxy
sOmbrerOs, which | at first thought so ungainly,
but now consider quite picturesque and elegant.
Ny guide, short but sinewy and wellknt
son Of the mountains, named Jose Garcia, set
off at canter down the banks OF the DarrO.
Don't ride so fast ~ cried Napoleon, who
watched our setting out, from the door Of the
fonda: but Jose was already out ofhearing. This
guide is a companion to my liking. Although
he is only twenty-seyen, he has been for num-
Der of years a c0rreO OF mail.rider, and guide
for travelling parties His olive complexion is
made still darker by exposure TO the sun and
wind, but his 0al.black eyes shine with South
| ern heat and fire. He has one OF those rare
mouths which are born with broad smile in
each corner, and which seem to laugh, even in
the midst OF grief We had NOT been two hours
together, before knew his history irem begin.
ming to end He had already been married
eight years, and his only trouble was a debt OF
/ s24, which the illness Of bis wife had caused
/ him. This money was owing 20 the pawn
/ broker. who kept bis best clothes in pledge till
/ he could pay il. "Sehor," said he, 4" if had
| ten million dollars, would rather give them all
away than have sick wife He had a brother
/ in Puerto Principe, Cuba, who sent over money
enough 70 pay the rent Of the house, but he
/ found that children were great expense. I" IL
is most astonishing" he said, how much chill
dren can eat. From morning tlll night, the
bread il never out Of their mouths
Jose has recently been travelling with some
Spaniards, one of whom made him pay two dol
lars for an umbrella whch was lost on the road.
This umbrella is a thorn in bis side. AT every
venta where we stop the story is repeated, ana
he is not sparng OF his maledictions Inc
ghost of that umbrella is continually rdised'
and it will be long time before be can siiut IT,
lone reason why like 10 travel WIN ioreieh
Seniors" said he 20 me, =" - that "heh lose
anything, they never MAKE me pay iOr IL.
81 Cor ali that" | answered, "take care you
don't lose my umbrella; Is cost three dollars
Since then, nothing can exceed Jose stten-
ron 70 that article. He Is at his wits end how
IN secure il best. II appears sometimes be.
fore sometimes behind him, lashed 20 the sad
dIs with innumerable cords; now he sticks II
into the alforja, now carries it IN his hand, and
| verify believe that be sleeps with il in his
arms. Every evening, as be tells bis story "a
the muleteers, around the kitchen fire, he al
ways winds up by triumphantly appealing TO me
with We'll, Senior have lost your umbrell,
yeti"
Our bargain is that l snail feed him on the
way, and as We travel in the primitive style O
the country, We always it down together to th,
same dish Tohis supervision the ola is oftel
indebted for an additional flavor, and no tho
rcugh-bred gentleman" could behave at tabl
with more ease and propnety. He Is a. mod
crate as BedOuin in his wants, and neye
touches the burning aguardiente which tn
muleteers are accustomed 20 drink l aske
him the reason of this, 81 drink vine, Senior,