Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-11-28

LEAVING A DESKFTL LOVE OF LETTERS,
LOCKS OF HAIR AND FADED BOUQUETS.

LOCKS OF HAIR AND FADED pObQlE LIS
From the Courier des EtatJ Unis.l
We know what number OF celebrated
people have died this year-statemen,
men of rank, and celebrities in literature
and art. But there is one more name to
be added to the neurology of 1879. The
name is neither that of politician, nor
of painter, nor of a poet, and neyerthe-
less the defunct in question enjoyed more
popularity in his own country than all
scholars, artists and deputies put to-
gether. We refer to the matador,
Frascuelo, whom all Spain has applaud
ed for 10 years, whom the prettlest wo-
men of all the Spanish provinces have,
in turn, called Frascuelito, and who has
now Just died of horn thrust naturally
received in the exercise of his profession.
Frascuelo, among Spaniards, was hero,
and as Theodore de Banville said the
other day of Victor Hugo, he had al
ready become immortal He will forever
remain the prina spddd of legends.
During his lifetime he was the curiosity,
above all others. that his countrymcn
showed to strangers, and he was proud Of
his distinction. He was born at Anda-
lusia, and at the age of 10 years went to
work i'll the slaughter houses of Seville,
where all the matadors begin their career,
these slaughter houses being for them a
sort of academy. At eighteen he was en-
gagged in the famous company of Ell Tato,
vino also died ola horn thrust AT first he
was n simple ch0l0-that is to say, he was
charged with the duty of exciting the
bull by shaking a red handkerchief before
his eyes. Then he was promoted to the
position of JanderiYero. The mission of
the banderHierO is to plant little javelins
i'll the shoulder of the animal. At this
dangerous game Frascuelo WAS wonder
fully expert. When the bull rushed at
him with lowered head he stepped lightly
between the animals horns, and bounded
clean over him. planting his banderillos
while in the air Or he would simply
await the attack, leaning on n long pole.
When the animal rushed at him he would
leap over him, using the pole for support
The bull might break the pole, but
Frascuclo would be sure to land on his
feet some five PAGES from his former
position, and then solemnly salute the
spectators. 1t was by unanimous vote
that he was raised to the dignity Of fjriDla
spGG0.
One DAY at St. Sebastian his chief,
Lagartijo, was wounded and WIS unable
to continue the fight. The crowd called |
for Frascuelo to take his place. Fras-
cuelo picked up the sword, ran at the |
bull and classically planted the weapon
in the back Of the animals neck. After
that day he killed over 800 bulls in the
same manner, and was often wounded
The crowd worshipcd him, not only for
his skill and courage, but also for the
singular richness of his costumes. He |
thought nothing of spending $1,000 for
an equipment, and, like a pretty woman
who changes her dress for every bail, he
never wore the same costume twice.
Frascuelo leaves 4 considerable fortune,
and his heirs, moreover. will find in
his desks an immense collection of love
letters, locks of hair, faded bouquets
in fine, collection the like OF which is
not possessed by any living man, not ex-
,epting even the most applauded of ten
lbrS