Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-01-03
PEDRO VELASQUEs AND THE MA
GICIAN.
CHANGE OF BRILLIANT PROSPECTS.

COulU OOdSL OI. E1S was lShb cAIklCSI
ton at all the high solemnities, and his
merit and musical organization rang thro'-
out all Spain. Pedro Yelasques possess
ed magnificent tenor voice. OF course
his natural vanity, and the praises be-
slowed upon him. caused him to lind his
empire too confined, and his soul painted
for a more extended arena than the organ
loft of the cathedral OF Valladolld. 1t
happened there came to ValladOlid eel
brated magician named Menduzus, who,
it was reported, worked The most astoun-
ding prodigies. Pedro Velasques imme-
diaIely saddled his mule, and sought tie
dwelling of the magician MendOzus. He
tied his mule to the door post, and enter
ed his dwelling.
"IlIustrious Dou,' said Pedro Velas-
ques. ''there can be little doubt That my
name has already reached you. l am
Pedro VelasQues, the magnificent TENOR
singer Of the cathedral OF Valialoid--
! Weary Of vegetalipg in a position SO OBJ
scure, and SO unworthy of my talent, Il
have recourse to your skill, that it may
enable me to achieve the most lofty pin
nacles Of art. Should reach the apex,
my gratitude toward you, iltustrous Don,
shall be boundless."
Your gratitude - replied Mendozus,
with an air of increduli.y. ''The human
race is ungrateful-it is an old saying,
which nobody can deny"
"Ah iIlustrious Don, rely upon my
word, my faith and my honor"
at is WE'LL" replied Mendozus: "upon
your promise l will calEinto action all the
resources Of nv art" Then opening II
small door which communicated with The
kitchen. "Jacinla," he cried, with a stem
torian voice, "put Two Paruidges on the
spit, Pedro Velasques, the magnificent
tenor singer Of the cathedral of Vallado-
lid, dimes with US to-day"
He then conducted his guest inlo an OBJ
Bcure chamber, which he called his labo
ratory, and which was filled with books
of magic and vatUusly shaped aIchemical
instruments. There were seen at the va
rous angles Of the chamber myriads of Ii
ny demons, with crimson aud purple com
PIexious, and hairy skins, and yellow mus
taches, and shut up in ages Ike SPUR
reIs. When these behcId Pedro cutter.
they saluted him with groIe*que attitudes,
and cut The most quaint capcrs.
"Be seated" said Mendozus; ''lhe sci
encc which profess is peculiarly we
will moisten it with Il flask OF Nel es."
He then opened 4 trap, descended some
steps, and returned with IA long sea green
bottle in bis hand; then murmrring some
uninteIIiyibIe words, he filled the Two
glasses, and emptied into one OF them
twelve drops of a blood red liquor, and
presented it to Pedro Vclasqucs, who
swallowed it with a wry face. 1t is not
known what mystery followed in The lab
OratOry of the alChcmst.
Soon after the or9anist Of the cathedral
of ValladolId died, aud some hidden in
hucnce seconded so we'll the movements
Of Pedro Velasq1es, that he WAS nomiua-
ted TO fill The situation of the deceased. -
Mendozus, the principal instrument Of this
rapid elevation, came in person To lelIcl
tate the newly elected OrganlsL, and nj The
same time TO solicit Il Slight service in re
turn. Pedro NeIaSques received his friend
in an hospilabie aud amlabe manner, bal
he begged 10 be excused, As he could moi
Immediately show his grallude--"p:e ss
ing demands had impoverished him, and
he must establish himself in his new post
but for all that my friend, do not aban.
don me; exert yourself more than ever fol
my advancement, and l will pay my deb
with good interest"
ganist without reply. He continued, in
the meanwhile, TO labor so we'll in his ia.
vor, that Pedro Vea>ques soon saw his
fame extent throughout all Spain, and he
was some time subsequently nominated
master Of the chapel 10 the cathedral o
Seville. Mendozus continued 10 serve
him in his new residence, aud after his in.
stallation, came humbly TO implorc his
good will
IL ask not for money" he said, 81 on:
Iy desire the small employment Of chUriS-
ter for ny son, whom l wish TO see ter
inmate his musical studies und,r your en-.
frightened direction"
al will give him better than that" re-
piled the new maestro; but wait little
longer. l have now to find places for ii
number OF youths recommended by PEG
pie OF the highest disLluc,iOn; AS soon as |
can rid myself Of these opportunities your
son shalt tiud in me a most Jealous pa
tron. In the mean time he shalt lose no
thing BY the delay, for without doubt l
shall make during the time favorable
step in the arts, and the higher l mount
the mole my friends may rely upon me. "
Without allowing himself 10 be discour-
aged by this answer, the magician conf
nued to exercise all the resources Of his
art to elevate Pedro Veiasqucs. and his
zeal was soon recompenSed. The King
of Spain heard such euIoSiumS OF the
maestro of Seville, that he desired TO hear
him. Pedro was summoned 10 court, and
played and sung in the royal presence
The monarch e.inced SO lively satis(ac
ton that he constituted Pedro director Of
the feIes and spectacleS of the palace
In this brilliant post the unfortunate Pc
dro Velasques succeeded in conciliatins
the affection Of the prince, who soon aWar
ded to him his bouEdlesS confidence, and