The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-08-26
The Vasa D'Agua.

The Nasa DAgua.
One very hot evening, in the year 1915
the curate of San Pedro, a village distant
but few leagues from Seville, returned
very much iatigued 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 Spanish peasant
ry, it was impossible not to be struck with
the evidence OF poverty in the house Of
the priest. The nakedness of the walls.
and scantiness of the furniture, were the
more apparant from certain air about
them Of better days. Sonora Margarita
had just prepared for he. masters supper
an ola porida, which Notwithstanding the
sauce and high sounding name, was moth
ing more than the remains of his dinner,
which she had disguised with the greatest
skill. The curate, gratified at the color
of this savory dish, exclaimed
Thank God, Margarita, for this dainty
dish. BY San Pedro, friend, you may
well bless your stars to find such supper
in the house Of your host.
At tho word host, Margarita raised her
eyes, and beheld stranger who accom-.
panied her master. The face of the old
dame assumed suddenly an expression Of
wrath and disappointment. Her angry
glances fell on the new conner, and again
on heI master, who looked down, and said
with the timidity of child who dreads
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
me to leave Christian to starve? He
has not eaten for three days"
Santa Maria he Christian lie
looks more like q robber !" and mutterine
to herself, the housekeeper left the room
During this parley, the stranger remained
motionless at the threshold 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 excit
ed distrust rather than favor.
"Mnst | go away ?" he inquired
The curate replied with an emphatic
gesture
Never shall he whom | shelter bt
driven away or made unwelcome but 81
down, put aside your gun,let us say grace
and to our repast."
81 never quit my weapon. AS tn
proverb says, two friends are one. NJ
rife is my best friend, and shall keep i
between my knees. Though you ma,
send me from your house till it suits me
there are others who would make IN,
leave theirs against my will, and perhap
headforemost Now to your health lie
US eat"
The curatc himself, although a man O
good appetite, was amazed at the voracit
Of the stranger, who seemed to bolt rath
er than cat almost the whole of the dish
besides drinking the whole flask Of wint
apd leaving none for his host. scarcely
morsel Of the enormous loaf which occr
pied corner of tho table Whilst
was eating so yoraciously he started Q
the slightest noise Ifa gust of wind sue
denly closed the door, he sprang up, an
leveling his rife, seemed determined t
repel intrusion. Having recovered frol
his alarm he sat down again and went G
with his repas. Now" said he, speal
ing with his mouth full, 81 must tax yot
kindness to the utmost. | am wounde
in the thigh, and eight days have passe
without its being dressed. Give Inc a fe
bits of linen; then you shall be rid
me-"
81 do not wish to rid myself of you
replied the curate, interested in his CUES
in spite of his threatening demeanor, |
his strange exciting conversation. IL a
somewhat Oft doctor. You will not ha
the awkwardness of a country barber,
dirty bandages to complain Of, as "
shall see." So speaking, he drew for
from closet bundle containing
things needed, and turning up his sleev
prepared himself to discharge the duty
, a surgeon.
The wound was deep, a ball havi
passed through the strangers thigh, wi
to be able to walk, must have exerted
strength and courage more than hum'
You will not be abo to proceed on 70
journey to-day" said the curate, probi
the wound with the satisfaction of an
atcur artist. You must remain here
night. Good rest will restore your hea
4, aud abate the inflammation, and the sws
ing will 60 down"
II must depart to-day, at this ve
hour" replied the stranger, with mou
ful sigh. There are some who wait
me, others who seek me-" he added, W
a ferocious smile "Come have you d.
|. your dressing? Good here am | Ii
, and easy, as if never had been wound
Give me loaf, take this piece of gold
payment for your hospitality and ia
we'll" The curate refused the tende
gold with emphasis. "As you pleas
farewell" So saying the stranger dep'
ed, taking with him the loaf which NJ
garita had SO unwillingly brought at
masters order. Soon his tall figure
appeared in the foliage of the wood wi
surrounded the village.
An hour later, the report Of hrea