The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-05-26
THE GYPSY'S WARNING.
a Romantic story OF spain.

The little village of San Pablo, which lies
three leagues distance from Madrid, was once
the residence of many proud and opulent
families who have long since passed away
ron earth. Among the muleteers, ohep-
nerds and water carriers, one would scarcely
look for Spanish grandces, and San Pablo is
now only populated by an ignoblc race.
~ the period Of which we write, there lived
in San Pablo one Count Rodrigo dc BivaS
Who claimed TO be descended from that Bvas
VINO was called the Thunder. bolt ct Spain, on
account of mis- military exploits.
The Count was IN the thirtysccond year Of
MS aye, had been educated abroad, and only
returned to his country at the death Of his
Ather; who bequeathed TO him vast estates
in the southern part of Spain, which made
him one of the wealhiest mobiles IN the king
dom. He was tall, well formed, with pleas
ing cOuntenancc, with which was blended
great resolution. 1t was said of him that he
was never known 10 cvince the least treplda-
lion under any circumstance that ever occur
red. Just rs he was quitting Germany for
his home, he CHANGED to meet Senior Ruiz
who was aboard with hi. family, and he al.
most instantly became enamoured with his
beautiful daughter, Julia. Fer months the
count had impatiently awaited the return OF
Senior RUIZ to Spain, and at length was de-
lighted when he heard OF the arrival OF the
lovely girl whose image was indellbly i'm
pressed upon his heart.
The sun was shining cheerly, ana The birds
we're singing blithly along the roadside, as
he count rode forward To Madrid on his
rusty mule, richly adorned with silver trap
pings. As he came TO Il turn in the road, there
slaked out of clump of bushes the figure of
3 woman in a strange attire. Her dress was
80 fantastic that the count refined mp his mule
suddenly, and gqZed at her with surprise.
Ter face was swarthy, upon her head she
wore yellow and red turban, while her skirt,
which was green and short, was rent in many
places. She displayed pair of bright blue
stockings, and her feet were encascd in red
morocco slippers.
Upon my word" calculated The count,
'ihis is certainly a strange being"
Before, however, he could reflect further,
NE woman approached HIM aud crlved per.
mission to tell his fortune.
"A gypsy" he cried.
Let me see your hand" said the woman,
without appearing to notice his remark.
The count regarded her attentively, and
,hen laughed.
" Nay, nay, my woman, | am no believer
N these matters; but you, like all your race
he tossed her peso, which she quickly pick
Cd out Of the dust.
Turning to HIM she said: "But would
see the palm OF your hand, noble sir, even
though you may ridicule my calling"
There Il is. them replied the count, as
he uDglOvcd his hand and extended 1t toward
Ihc gypsy.
The darkeyed nag gazsd intently at the
counts hands for some moments, and then
looked up IN his face, and, laughing, said ::
lis ever the same with handsome and gay
men. Love, love- always love. | will tell
yOn that YOU cannot believe, but warA you,
beware of the Raven" and before the count
could question, she darted among the trees,
ana he saw her tattered finery disappearing
N the forest
Beware of the Raven" quolh the count.
What raven? What can the creature mean ?
All! It's one of their tricks; II has no sIgnifl.
canoe at ALL" and he pricked his mule with
one spur and rode forward, hsmming bal
lad, all the while thinking of the beautiful
Julia.
The sun was sinking behind the horizon as
he gained the suburbs of the city. Suddenly
his mule made plunge, and loosing her foot.
ing, came to the ground with her rider
"A bad omen," muttered the count as he
arose unhurt and gazed at the mule which
was almost instantly on her feet again. She
had always been remarkably sure.footed
animal, aud the count who was not without a
certain tinge OF superstition, appeared uncer
tain whether TO proceed or retrace his way
As he stood dangling the bride IN his hand
his eyes caught sight Of an old public hous,
by the wayside.
Well larry here for the night" he said
and, leading the animal, he walked TOWARD
The building
The house in question was OF rather iarg
dimensions, the windows few and small, an,
we're set deep within the thickness Of the wall
Immediately over the portal hung weather
oea,en sign. announcing the house as the Ira
ven Inn.
For a moment the count hesitated as Oh,
gypsys warning cane TO bis mind; but thu