The daily gazette., 1877-07-09

return of the robber.
An hour later steps were heard ap-
proaching, and the moon shed suff1
cient light for the police to observe
that the object of their solitude was at
hand.
| Delgado had been drinking, but he
was not drunk, only heated with wine
that made him bolder and perhaps
more dangerous in an encounter.
10 spring upon him and grapple
him by the throat was the work of an
instant. But quick as thought his
knife flew from his belt, and was bur-
led in the heart of his foremost assail-
ant. 1t was all accomplished in a mo
men, and then Pedro Delgado lay
bound upon the ground while the al
guacils were standing over their muir
dered comrade, and bewailing his
loss. -..------
A month later l was attracted to the
Plaza de la Cebada by the throng of
persons saw going in that direction.
vending my way with the crowd l
perceived the houses (Which by the
way are of mean description had
their roofs covered with people. To-
ward the Toledo gale, that Is to say on
the right side of the plaza there was
erected two wooden pillows connec ed
by a cross-bar. This was the gallo ws
(la holca) upon which the the CRIMINALS
were to suffer.
Several men clad in black were walk
ing among the crowd ringing small
bells and soliciting aims and prayers
for those about TO be hanged.
"What is the history of the affair?n
| asked of one Of the bell ringers.
"The girl was in service, and aided her
lover to rob her MASTER" replied the fel-
low in rapid tone, AS if he was tired of
replying to the inquiry. "To robbery
the lover added murder. for he killed one
of the digudcits who went to arrest him.
Be generous with your aims, senior, and
pray tor their souls"
The bell-ringer certainly had a business
like way about him, and, taking the few
coins l offered him, hurried on to ill his
bag, if possible.
Theft in Spain is punished with death,
and even should the amount stolen be
Insignificant the law never moderates its
severity. Strange as it may appear, not
withstanding this Iigor, llo country on
earth has more thieves than Spain.
lt was a singular crowd that had gath
cred to witness the unfortunate Wretches
put to death-grandees, boatmen, mule
teers, chaacoal vendors and soldiers. |
was surprised at the number of women
prssent, but is but just to say there were,
without exception, of the lower orders,
What was still more strange, their sym-
pathy seemed rather to be with Pedro
Delgado than with the girl Isabella A
fat woman with very red and yellow
petticoat, waI constantly passing to and
iro among the concourse, telling all she
knew about the criminals.
chow is it, Rosita?" inquired an old
man bent with the infirmities of age.
"How is it, my good woman? Did YOU
say they were now in the cdpeila.
"They have been there ever since last
evening"" replied the woman "I saw
them myself, with the fetters still on their
wrists. They were kneeling before a
great black crucifix, and the other priso-
ners were singing the funeral hymp.
I ou see, my cousin Antonio is one of the
underkeepers; that's the way got in.
Oh! you should have seen it. The monks
and priests have been very attentive TO
the poor creatures. What a pity it is
chat Pedro has to die, he is such a hand
some fellow. And do you know" she
continued, speaking WITH greater vehe-
mence, "that they obtained the favor of
being married last night. The padre can
now consecrate by his blessing the ties
which heve long bound them to each 9TH
er. Cdrdnabd what a wedding! Con-
victs as witnesses and the gallows for
their bridal bed'
Digusted with the creatures volubility,
turned away and walked on. The sol
diers were surrounding the gibbet, and
suddenly buzz went all over the crowd,
while every face was turned to the Church
ofSanlsadore on the south side OF theplaza
Following the impulse of the people
l gazed that way also, and saw approach
ing tall man. with a forbidding coun-
tenance, clad in an entire suit of brown.
The crowd broke to the right and left az
he advanced, and appeared to have q
horror lest he should touch them.
"Holy Virgin" cried a young man to
his mistress, as he jerked her aside
81 believe his mantle touched you"
The girl turned pale and began to |
weep.
ihere, there, don't cry, was mis-
taken," continued her lover. |
By this time the hangman had reached |
the gallows. He took off his hat and |
brown mantle and looked attentively at |
the rope that hung from the cross. TAX
ing it in his hand. he felt it, and then |
nodded his head, as if to say "All |
right"
A little before noon there arose cry
that the criminals were approach ng and |
SoOH Wo uedru Ouo zap OF Jn6 drum ana L
the tolling of the bell, as the military ad- |
vanced with the prisoners. Behind them |
came train of penitents, carrying light |
ed green candles and number of wood |
en- crosses. Pedro and his newly-made |
wife were riding on donkeys, side by |
side, and were responding their credo to |
the priest, who walked beside them. |
Isabella wore hood that almost pre-
vented her face being seen, but her long !
black hair fell down her back and floated |
in the wind
Dismounting at the foot of the gibpet,
one ear of each donkey was slit with
knife, that they might be exempt from
similar service again; then they were
turned over to their owners.
At the foot of the scaffold steps Pedro
and his wife make their last confession,
covered by the robe of a priest, who lis
tens. and finally grants them absolution.
Then they mount the steps and the exc
cutioner fixes the rope about their necks.
The long hair of the grill is streaming out
in the wind, her pretty face is pale, but
she betrays no fear. Pedro is sulien, and
has defiant look.
.'Will you pray for us?" they ask gazing
down at the ass of human faces.
eyes, yes," is the general cry, tive
will pray for the salvation of your
souls"
The priest begins the credo, which the