The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-07-24
THE ARCHITECTS WIFE.

THE ARCHITECTS WIFE.
Many years had passed away since
the tyrant of Montiei had destroyed the
bridge of San Martin. Dignitaries both
of Church and State had wed with each
other in their endeavors to replace it.
But the skill and care of the most cele-
brated architects, Christian and Moor
ish alike, had been altogether wanting
in success on account of the rapidity OF
the stream, which carried away in its
impetuous course the framework of
wood and the pillars of stone before the
arches Of the bridge could be completed.
Don Pedro Tenorio, Archbishop Of
Toledo, then made application through
out all the cities and towns of Spain
for an architect capable of rebuilding
the bridge of San Martin; but for a
long time without response. One day
however, man and woman, complete
strangers to the place, entered Toledo by
the Cambron Gate and after carefully in
specting the ruins of the bridge, fixed,
for their residence. upon an empty
house not far from them. A few hours
afterwards the man might have been
seen vending his way towards the pal
aoe of tho Archbishop
The ioyof the good prelate was indeed
great when one of his attendants in
formed him that an architect from an
other kingdom requested the honor of
an interview. The Archbishop fastened
TO give the desired audience and the
str1pger was ushered into his presence.
The architect was still young. but
thought and misfortune had left their
traces on his countenance and rem
dered him in appearance prematurely
gray. After kindly returning his re-
spectful salutation, Don Pedro motioned
him to seat directly in front of his
own.
"Sir," said the stranger, "my name
which must be entirely strange to you,
is Juan de Arevalo and / am an archi-
tect by profession"
You have come hither, attracted no
doubt, by the notice which we in Tole-
do have circulated throughout Spain,
calling for an architect sufficiently skill
full to rebuild the bridge Of. San Mar
tinPn
"InaJ Is so.
I" Are you aware Of all the difficulties
of the workr'
al not only know them, your grace.
but ! conceive myself capable of over
coming them"
/" Where have you studiedP" asked
the Archbishop.
" In Salamanca"
A~I ,.,L.< h,,sII;r~-s 49, xho~, a.
which you can point in proof of your
skiIlF'
"None."
II am very sorry indeed that you
have no credentials wherewith to satisfy
us that If we confide In you we shall
not trust in vainp"
~ have one which at all events may
satisfy your grace"
a. And that is?''
my life,"
!" Explain yourself" cried the Arch
bishop.
when the supports Of the center
arch of the new bridge of San Martin
are removed, the architect who designed
it will be found standing on the key
stone of the arch"
" l agree to your TERMS" replied the
quite won over by the self
of the stranger.
"And will fulfill Them" returned
the architect.
The Archbishop held out his hand to
the visitor, and the latter returned to
his house with look of evident Joy.
The lady who had accompanied Juan
de Areyalo to Toledo. young and still
lovely in spite of the traces of suffering
on her face, awaited him with anxiety,
and hurried to meet him ct the door.
Catalina, my ownw exclaimed the
architect, embracing his wife, I" amidst
the monuments of art which beautify
Toledo there will be one destined to
transmit to gosterity the name Of Juan
On the eve of the Festival of San nde-
'onso, patron saint of the city. Juan de
Arevalo announced formally to the
1 archbishop that in order to complete
lis work there remained only the re-
noval of the scaffolding from the three
riches of the bridge, the openings of
which were still blocked up with intri-
ate and yet sturdy masses Of pine wood.
'Eha satisfaction of the Archbishop
nd - people was extreme. It is true
hat u removal of all the framework
n which the massive but artistically
blocks of stone appeared to
est was a work of great danger, but
be tranquil air Of the architect who