The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-12-22
OUR STORY TELLER.
A NEW YEARS GIFT.
BY FRANCIS L. LONG.

In one of the lower taverns of BARGE.
Iona, in a quarter of the city much
frequented by sailors, fishermen, mule.
teers and rustic pastors from the adjacent
province, late in the afternoon on the
day before the New Year of A. ID. 1S-
might have been seen two men in the
garbof students of the university, sit.
ting at rough table of unplaned wood
smoking cigarros, and leisurely discuss.
ing the merits of bottle of reno clare
which stood like sentinel between
them. The dress and bearing of both
men indicated that they belonged to a
better class of society than one would
expect to find in such a place, for the
tavern was not of the best repute. it be-
ing little better than brothel. or casa
de pablico, as such houses are politely
called in Spanish.
The elder of the two, who appeared to
be about three or four and twenty wears
OF age, was chattering away in the best
possible good humor, although his face
was not quite as pleasant as we would
like an intimate friend to possess. or one
to which lady would turn to catch a
second glance. He was wild and reck-
b
seemed nodded after a bill-hook. and his
eyes apparently had not been on speak
ing terms from the time ofhis birth, since
one of them seemed constantly to turn
Its back, SO to speak, toward the other.
This gentieman's name was Don Pedro
de Alamada, son of a wealthy noble. His
conrade, francisco Salano, was a year
or two his junior, and his long, silk n
lialr, line eyes, and pale face, added to
his light and slender figure, gave him an
almost girlish appearance, when con-
trasted with the more robustand mascu-
line development of the elder.
fou are very dull companion to-
day, amigo MO- ratified dc Alamada.
by San Fermin, one would imagine
the note latelyhanded you by the muchacho
(bov) was a request to attend your
mothers funeral, rather than a missive
from girl whose beauty has fired the
heart of every gallant in Barcelona
Salano, your humors are hard to compre-
hend."
Salano did not reply to the raillery of
his friend, but moodily pulled away at
his cigar, genuine C0Josa de lSantiaqo.
and with the tip of one in his white
aud delicate fingers wrote the name La
Bonitafor at least the twentieth time
upon the table in the drops of wine
which his carelessness had split.
What does the fair danseuse saw to
you in her noteg' continued Amanda
your rueful countenance would lead
me to suppose that you are either dis
carded far new lover, or La Bonita has
issued a draft upon your excheouer
winch you cannot conveniently honor"
Cavronp6a you have hit the nail on
the head muttered Salano. 81 am
ruined by La Bonita. am we'll aware
that she is heartless coquette, and en-
titled to no mans faith. So lone asI
have doubloons in my pocket she is
mine, but when my gold fails she he
longs TO some one more fortunate. With
gold won her from her first lover,
baptlsta, who shot himself in fit of
Jealous rage, and by San Jago! | have
no doubt the vixen fatters herself that
Twill be foolish enough to do likewise.
whenever she is pleased to nominate NV
successor
What is wrong p' inquired Don
Alamada, endeavoring to bring about
q partial reconciliation between his es-
tranged eyes in order that he might
bring them both to bear upon the face of
his friend; but to no purpose, however
Tor while one studied Salano's clouded
face, its fellow made tour of observa-
tioh to the adjacent wall.
IN tell you what is wrong.n re-
turned the other petulantly. "Ia
Bonita has no more soul than the gilt-
winged humming- bird which dazzles onr
vision as it fits from bower to bower.
Like the humming- bird among Aowerss
TO her each face is equally dear. and the
last face is the sweetest and dearest Of
Don ALAMEDA gazed at the rueaful
face of his companion for an instant
and then burst into peal of hearty
laughter. 49,
Why, my dear Salano, what else can
you expect from ddases1se or coruohee |
y her known character? Money. INV I
lear fellow, is all they care for, and if |
rou are foolish enough to squander It I
lPon them, why should they refuse it'll
Ton won La Bonita as Jupiter won