The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-14
PERICO THE SAD:
THE FAMILY OF ALvAREDA.
From the Spanish. !

CONTINUED
| a. CHAPTERv
Preparations were being made for the wed
dings. That of Elvira and Ventura was t.
take place before that of Rita and Psrico, o.
the former had not to wait for dispensatiol
from Rome.
Pedro wished his daughter Marcella to assis
ut her brothers marriage, before commencing
her novitiate, and determined to go to Alcals
to bring her. Maria had q debt to colec
there, and needing all her funds for the e1
peoted event, took advantage of her old friend's
going to make the trip in company.
The ancient pair, mounted upon their re
spective asses, set out on their journey, cross
ing themselves, and Maria, the Christian soul
making prayer to the holy archangel, Saint
Raphael, patron of all travellers, from Tobias
| down to herself.
| Maria, comfortably seated upon the cushions
of her saddle, dressed in wide chntz skirt,
| which was plated at the waist, II jacket of
black WOODEN cloth, of which the closely it.
ting sleeves were fastened at the wrist by a
row OF silver buttons, and round her neck a
white muslin kerchief, pinned down at the
back to keep it from touching her hair, looked
like burlesque, anticipated, upon the mode
which was to rule among the fashiona bles
thirty years later. little shawl covered her
head, the ends being tied under her chin.
Pedro wore, with some slight difference. the
dress we have already described in speaking of
his son. The cloth was coarser, the belt black,
as became a widower, his clothes all fitted
more loosely. and his hat had a broader brin,
and was without ornament.
Z" 1t is day of flowers :" said Maria, " the
fields are smiling, and the sun seems as if he
were telling them to be gay"
Yes" said Pedro, "the yellow haired ap. |
pears to have washed his face and sharpened
his rays, for they prick like pins"
He lookout a little rabbit-skin bag in which
was tobacco, and began to make a cigarette.
Maria" said he, when he had finished it, /
my opinion is, that you will come back from
Alcala with your hands as empty as they CO.
But, Christion woman, who the deuce tempted
you to lend money to that vagabondf You
Knew that he had not much as q place
"hereon to fall dead. and nothing in expecta-
ion but alternate rations of hunger and reces-
ity."
But" said Maria, to whom shall we lend
not to the poor the rich have no need to
orrow."
" And don't you know, big innocent, that
he who lends to friend loses both the money
nd the friend" But you, Maria, are always ]
D redulous, and tell you now that this man
ill pay yOn in three instalments badly, late ]
I'd never" !
{" You always think the worst, Pedro"
That is the reason why 1 always hit the
ark think i'll, and you will think the truth 8
i'd the crafty Pedro.
Presently he commenced droning a ballad of i
hich the interminaGIe text is as follows: p
In my house heard at Light +
Sounds that reused nj n alright; =,
Quick unsheathed my rapier bright
stole upstairs with footsteps light. Ii
Search the dwelling all around "
From the ToOftree ground
Liatening ter the faintest sound
Nothing heard I, nothing found. .'.a .
And my story being new
II repeat it DER to you;
In my house, etc, I'll
Maria said nothing, nor did she think much
're. Rocked by the quiet pace of her ami it
II, she yielded herself to the Incidence which
o balmy spring day induced, and went along p,
eping. m
Half the road being passed, they came to a W
all inn. When they arrived some soldiers tn
re lounging upon the brick seats which vi
re fixed on each side of the door under the til
'jecting roof. As soon as they perceived the sh
proach of our venerable couple, they began us
attack them with faoetious sayings, bur. ",
que provocations and railleries, such as are vi
lal among the country folk, and especially RI
Ong the soldiers. he