The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-07
PERICO THE SAD:
THE FAMILY OF ALVAREDA.
From the Spsnish.I
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER
Following the curve formed by the aucier
walls of Seville, encircling it rs with q grid
OF stone, leaving on the right the river an
Las Delicias, we reach the gate of San Eel
nando From this gate, in o direct line acros
the plain, as far as the ridge of Buena Vista
extends road which passes the riil upon
bridge of stone, and ascends the steep side o
the hill. To the right of the road are seen tn
ruins of q chapel. At q birds-eye view thi
| road looks like an arm which Seville ex tend,
toward the ruins as if to call attention to them
for though small, and without q vestise O
artistic merit, they form a religious and his
toric souvenir. They are an Inheritance from
the great king, Fernando ILL.,, whose memory
Is so popular that he is admired as hero
Venerated as a saint, and beloved as king
thus realizing, in one grand historic figure the
! ideal of the Spanish people.
Having gained the summit, the rcsd desceuds
upon the opposite side into a little valley
through which ruDs a narrow stream which
has washed its channel SO clean that you will
seein lt only shining pebbles and golden sand
Fording this stream, the road touches on its
right at a cheerful and hospitable little inn,
and salutes on its left q Moorish castle seated
so haughtily upon the height that it seems %
though the ground had risen solely to form q
PEDESTAL for it. This castle wac given by Don
fedro de Castillo to DoDa Maria do PadilIa,
whose name it retains. The estate and castle
OF Dona Maria passed in time, AS a pious dona-
'on' to the Cathedral of Seville, the cha pier of
"hlch has, in our days, sold it to q private |
gentleman. The associations passed for moth |
ing. since little while lafterward, the With
cred, old, and furrowed Dona Maria appeared
clothed in the whitest of lime, and adorned
with bIilliants of crystal.
Let us follow the road which advances.
opening It's way through the palmettos and
'Vergreens of some pastuSe-lands, until ID
nters the village of Dos Hermanas, situated in
ne midst Of sandy plain, two leagues from
eville.
One sees here neither river, nor lake. nor
outrageous trees, nor rural houses with green ,
llnds, nor arbors covered with twining plants | q
or peacocks and Guinea fowls picking the
reen turf, nor grand avenues of trees in
'ra'ght lines, like slaves holding parasols, to q
roVide constant shade for those who walk {
eneath. All these are wanting here. Sad IL d
10 confess it! All is common, ride. and
elegant, but instead, one meets good and con- a
uted faces, which prove how. little those v
ings are needed to make happiness. One &
es, besides, flowers in the yards of the bopses z
ID at their doors gay and healthy children,
=" more numerous than the flowers, and finds
at sweet peace of the country, made nm of
ence and solitude, an atmosphere OF Eden
d the sky of paradise.
The village consists of houses of n sinoIe
ry' arranged in long, straight, though not r
railel Streets which open upon the large, pl
idy market-place, spread out like a yellow st
pct before q fine. church, which lifts its Sc
ty tower, Surmounted by cross, ike n O
der eievatiBg his standard to
behind the church we shall find the oasis of "a
desert. Supported by the rear wall of 10
fee is gate, opening into q wide and -Lg :
IT, which leads to the chapel of Saint A n al.
Patronesa of the place. Built against the or,
OF the chapel is the small and humble On
elling OF the custodian, who is both singer ass
sacrlstan of the church. In the enclosure he
snail see century-old Expresses, thick abe
age and sombre; the lilac, of stem 40 sHgbt ~
RAPID growth, lavishing leaves flowers. y
perfumes upon the wind, as if conscioue ~
its life is short; tie orange, the gra z.
neur' that favorite son of the - III fake
alasia, to whom it yields life s~sss -
long. We shall SEQ the vine, VII as fisO plies
d, needs the help of man Ia hsiFs and "S
and which spreads it's broaS lsaTos as If to rnPt
IS the trellis that Suppofs - For 1t is good
ain that even plants befe ibsir individual with
actsrs from which u re diherent inn
We can har' = syFFess VITA Wnos