The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-08-14
THE YASA D'AGUA.

One very hot evening, in the year 1915
the curate of San Pedro, village dis
tant but a.tew leagues from Seville, re-
turned very much fatigued to his poor
home, where his worthy housekeeper,
Sonora Margarita, about seventy years
of age, awaited him. However much
any one might have been accustomed to
distress and privation among the Span
ish peasantry, it was impossible not to
be struck with the evidence of poverty
in the house of the priest. The naked
ness of the walls, and scantiness of the
furniture, were the more apparent from
a certain air about them of better days.
Sonora Margarita had just prepared for
her masters supper an ola porida,
which, notwithstanding the sauce and
high-sounding name, was nothing more
than the remains of his dinner, which
she had disguised with the greatest
skill. The cnrate, gratified at the color
of this savory dish. exclaimed
"Thank God, Margarita, for this
dainty dish. By San Pedro, friend,
you may we'll bless your stars to find
such a supper in the house of your
host"
At the word host, Margarita raised
her eyes, and beheld a stranger who
accompanied her master. The face of
the old dame assumed suddenly an ex-
preston of wrath and disappointment.
Her angry glances fell on the new COM
er, and again on her master, who looked
down, and said with the timidity of a
child who breads the remonstrances of
his parent
"Peace, Margarita Where there is
enough for two there is always enough
for three, and you would not have
wished Inc to leave Christian to starve?
He has not eaten for three days"
"Santa Maria he Christian He
looks more like robber !' and mutter-
ing to herself, the housekeeper left the
room. During this parley, the stranger
remained motionless at the treshold of
the door. He was tall, with long black
hair and flashing eyes; his clothes
were in tatters, and the long rifle which
he carried excited distrust rather than
favor.
"Must goaway ?" he inquired.
The curate replied with On emphatic
gesture
"Never shall he whom I shelter be
driven away or made unwelcome but
sit down, put aside your gun, let us say
grace, and to our repast."
81 never quit my weapon. AS the
proverb says, two friends are one. Ny
rife is my best friend, and shall keep
it between my knees. Though you
may not send me from your house till it
suits me, there are others who would
make me leave theirs against my will,
and perhaps headforemost. Now to your
health /; let us eat
The curate himself, although q man
of good appetite, was amazed at the
voracity of the stranger, who seemed to
bolt rather than eat almost the whole of
the dish, besides drinking the whole
flask of wine. and leaving none for his
host, scarcely morsel of the enormous
loaf which occupied corner of the ta-
bic. Whilst he was eating so vora-
ciously, he started at the slightest noise
If gust of wind suddenly closed the
door, he sprang up, and leyeling his ri
fie, seemed determined to repel intru-
sion. Having recovered from his alarm
he sat down again and went ON with his
repast. "Now," said he, speaking with
his mouth full, 81 must tax your kind
ness to the utmost. 1 am wounded in
the thigh, and eight days have passed
without its being dressed. Give me a
few bits of linen : then you shall be rid
of me-"
"I do not wish to rid myself of you, +"
replied the curate, interested in his
guest, in spite of his threatening de-
meanor, by his strange exciting CONVEX
sation. 81 am somewhat of doctor.
You will not have the awkwardness of a
country barber, or dirty bandages to
complain of, as you shall see." So
speaking, he drew forth from closet a
bundle containing all things needed,
and, turning up his sleeves, prepared
himself to discharge the duty of a sur
geon.
The wound was deep, ball having
passed through the strangers thigh,
who, to be able to walk, must have ex-
erted strength and courage more than
human. You will not be able to pro-
ceed on your journey to-day" said the
curate, probing the wound with the sat
isfaction of an amateur artist. "You
must remain here tonight. Good rest
will restore your health and abate the
inflammation, and the swelling will go
down."
"I must depart to-day, at this very
hour" replied the stranger, with q
mournful sigh. There are some who
wait for me, others who seek me-" he
added, with ferocious smile. "Come,
have You done your dressing? Good
here am light and easy, as if I never
had been wounded. Give me a loaf,
IL IL = Il E.