Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-29
THE ZINGARA MAIDEN.

Harry Arnold and visited Spain some
years ago, and ono day rode undor tho
scorching sun, sometimes over highways
white and hot with dust, sometimes
through leafy dells whore the fierce sun
light was broken by the shade of tho
lofty trees. We were on the way from Ma
laga to Grenada, During the latter part
of the day my friend became very i'm
patient at what ho called tho 'dullnoss'
of our journey, and especially exas-
perated that mono of tho far,famed
beauties of Andalusia had crosses our
path. At length we reached a locality
in which stood u 'possado'-a long
wooden building The roof rising some
what in the middle and sloping grad
ually off to either side. At the door
lounged group of MISUNDERSTANDING
peasants, with greasy, swarthy host
at their head; and escaping by what
seemed to be % back entrance, and pass
ing rapidly down u side path, was as
splendid piece of womanhood as my
eyes had ever lighted upon. She wore
the picturesque costume of the Anda-
lusan peasant.
by Jove" said Harry, what beau
tiful girl
As l was an old traveller, l checked
my own curiosity and Halry's en-
thusiasm, and requested him in fow
sharp words to keep his eyes aud ears
wide open to what was passing around
us, and to think of something besides
women if he could.
The possada' was dismally rough
and notwithstanding place. 1t
smelled villainously of a mingled
compound of garlic stable and unwash-
cd humanity. We seated ourselves
close to tho fire, which was throwing
out any quantity of smoke and gas, but,
as far as | could see, was capable OF
warming nothing but itself,
Tho beautiful vision that had de.
lighted our eyes in the open air passed
in and out several times, laying the
clotfi for supper, and engaged in various
occupations. 1t was difficult to Judge
rs to tho relation in which she stood to
the wretches who surrounded her, as
she scarcely spoke or raised her eyes in
reply to any remarks made to her. She
looked as though sho belonged to some
gypsy tribe, and had gentle blood in her
veins. She seemed to have some unex-
planned purpose in delaying supper ar,
rangemeuts, which brought forth oatlls
from tho man who called himself our
host. I watched tho course looking
rrffians rs we sat by the fire, and made
up my mind that we were in perilous
situation. 1t was not cheerful one
certainly but Harry and I had yontl
and strength aud pluck; and Rugged
the belief that we were moro than n
match for perfdy and cunning.
cautioned Harry against any drink
that might be offered US. 1possessed
my soul with patience, and soon foil in,
to doze: and when opened my eyes
it WAS to SEQ tho Andalusian standing
between them and the table at which
the rest of the company were seated
and to hear, Supper is ready, senor,'
pronounced aloud in Spanish, and
"Sleep not an Instant under this roof!
from the same lips in fairly good English
but in low, Kissing voice, inaudiablt
to all but myself. shall never forget
how like o heavenly visitant she look.
ed. We ate our supper, but firmly re
fused tho sour wine which was repeat
eddy pressed upon us. As soon as oul
| host rose from the table, with move
ment of his thumb he indicated tn,
ladder which would conduct us to GU
sleeping room above. Closing the door
| l perceived it had neither lock nor bolt
The room was large, and not very low
| with the naked rafters above, and tn
roof shopping down on either side; on
window directly opposite the door, i,
front of which stood two beds, and
very large and heavy piece of furnitur
half bureau, on the right hand side.
As I was carefully scrutinizing in,
position, Harry said to me;