The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-31
vAsCO PEREs,
THE COOPER OF ALCOBACA.
BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.
CHAPTER III.


BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.
CHAPTER III.
-mrs DO as we would TO be.
During the morning the sky had been overcast
rand the atmosphere close and heavy; but now all
was clear, not cloud was to be seen in any part
of the vault above, and there appeared to be
more vitality in all that breathed. whilst the short
but melodious notes Of the chapim-a small blush
bird, whose song sounds touchingly sweet towards
the decline of daycharmedt the ear Of the wayfarer
Vasco allowed his mule to saunter on at slow
zpace, leaving it to Its own guidance. Though of
cheerful disposition, the young man was often
thoughtful; but on the present occasion he seemed
ito be more than usually pensive. He was musing
= over the occurrences of the day. He had had
many opportunities Of seeing Elvira, for he and
some of his workmen had often been employed in
the wine vaults Of Alcoa to put the watts into proper
trim ere the vintage set in, and more than once had
he seen and spoken with the lady Of Runa, and she
would sometimes stand by for few moments and
look on. Vasco thought her beautiful, kind and
gentle, as indeed all did who came in contact with
sher-and then he would think no more about her.
But now, as he turned his back upon the quinta,
strange thoughts unconsciously arose in his mind,
and emotions to which he had been q stranger,
caused his heart to throb violently 1t seemed to
him as if Elvra's beauty had undergone some I'M
accountable change; there was something in her
look, in her very movements which he remem-
fbered not to have seen before; there was that in
her smile and in the information of her voice which
had heretofore escaped his notice, which had this
day for the first time caused thrill TO pass through
J. his frame. Vasco became eated, and dwelt with
pride upon the thought that he had saved this
beautiful creature from pershing. Had she not
q Of 90
Had she not acknowledged that she owed her life
to him! Had he not held that delicate form in his
arms! But, as straw placed before the ant while it
giides along, will make il suddenly devae from its
course, 80 likewise the mere recollection Of that
moment caused a sudden change in the current of
the cooper's meditations, and threw damp upon
This spirits.
AWAY with such fancies,, murmured he in
tone of sadness, blended with something like suen
hanghtiness; "what hath the low born to do with
the beauty Of the mobiles daughter. or with the
fairness Of her form, the silver tones of her
voice! His eyes mnst needs be like the mirror, that
coasts back the dazzling rays Of the sun, denying
them passages his ears must refuse their functions
to the brain. Ay, the brain!'' and his voice had
sounded harsh and bitter to him who could have
heardt; "of that We would rob us, were it in your
power, proud lords! But over its workings We have
mo CONTROL ye cannot stay it in its mighty action
nor keep it's reckless career within the bounds you
would mark out for 1t. fc may pluck out our eyes;
hop our ears, noses, limbs tear out our tongues;
but You cannot touch our brain without
salso sending to better lfe.' And then
he continued his speculations in silence, and
who can say but that many thought that has
exercised the intellectual faculties of a Plato,
q Bacon or Kant, may not also have fitted
across the uncutivated but Vigorous understand
ing of the humble cooper. The bitter words we
have just heard him utter were in H0wise conse-
nant to his habtual mode Of reasoning for hther-
to vasco had been contented with his lot, and
proud OF the results OF his industry and perseve-
rance; nor WAS he prone to pass an indiscrninate
condemnation no n cla I
CURED more than ordinary stimulation to put
him in this frame OF mind and give such bias to
his thoughts
The hum of voices in the village broke in upon
his meditations and in few minutes he was at his
own door.
After putting his mule in the stable, Vasco Pc
tres entered the house, and there to his surprise,
found Dom Garcia de Cabrcira waiting for him.
The latter was a man between thirty and thirty
five years Of age, somewhat tall well made and
good looking bat there was something in the ex.
preston OF his brown eye which repealed, and
might induce prudent and obseryant person to be
on his guard. Dom Garcia was the scion Of
very ancient and noble stock, which could
even boast OF royal blood flowing in their
fhrve descended from Ramiro H., King of
Leon, who reigned in the tenth century. At the
death of his father, Dom Garcia, still very young,
had come into the possession OF large estates; but
they were now all encountered with heavy debts,
in consequence of his extravaganza; they were al
ready heavily burthened that he could no longer
raise money on them HIS usual abode, when nci-
ther at court nor at war, was his quinta Of Val
verde, some five leagues cast of Alcobaca. He
was accounted one of the most skiiful captains in
the Kings army, aad having arrived at Alcobaca
Two or three days before, at the head of hundred
and twenty knights and two hundred and fifty
.cr0SsbOwmen, he was now waiting for orders ere
joining the main army. The Abbot of Alcobaca
had offered him the castle for the accommcda ZION
: OF himself and his troops furnishing all that was
srequiste for their maintenance at the expense Of
Sthe convent.
"Ah! Senior Dom Garcia, this is an honor did
mot look for, said Vasco, he entered the roonf
"Methinks Vasco, that many days like this
would make thy fat purse shryel up, and turn thy
busy workshop into nest Of lazy droncs; the mas
ter's eye makes the horse fat, says the proverb
Beshrew thee, man, It's twice I've found thee out
since morning, although the day has still two hours
to rum" said Cabrera, springng from his seat like
"A person who has been for some time impatientiy
expecting another.
IL trust your patience has not been taxed too
sfar?'
II have whled away an hour, heaping curses
ON our foes, and putting up prayers to ST. George
lin our behalf. by the way, it is lucky we have re-
nounced Santiago and left him to the Castians,
else the good saint had been sorely puzzled how to
succor both sides without taking the field against
himself"
at had indeed, been case hard to solve even
for saint" replied Vasco, smiling. "But if your
suit is like to have been heard, as dare hope,
then it is well procured you this leisure, fair sir;
mot to mention that my delay wa. unavoidable
Gay, have heard of thy gallant exploit, Vasco.
Out upon dame fortune for most freakish, per.
verse lady! That was fair chance lost to me, for
swim like duck; and it should have fallen upon
me to have saved the life Of one who is kesto be.
come my wife some day, said Cabrera laying a
stress upon the last words, If he would have the
cooper understand that such was his expectation.
SBut no! it must needs be thee, who can in naught
De adyantaged therefrom. In truth, I sore
vexed.n
may, Senior" replied vasco with a smile. in
which something like sncor was perceptihlc.
'fcrtune should not be taxed vixen size scatters her
favors, kindness to which she is not very partial
Since you already possess the heart of Dona Elvira