Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-01
THE ARCHITECTS WIFE.

THE ARCHITECTS WIFE.
Many years had passed away since the
tyrant of Montiel had destroyed the
bridge of San Martin. Dignitaries both
of church and state had We'd with each
other in their endeavor 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 completes.
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, how
ever, man and woman, complete
strangers to the place, entered Toledo
by the Cambron gate, and, after care
fully inspecting the ruins of the bridge,
fixed for their residence upon an empty
house not far from them. A few hours
afterward the man might have been
seen vending his way toward the palace
of the Archbishop.
The joy of the good prelate was in
deed great when one of his attendants
informed him that an architect from an
other kingdom requested the eonor of
an interview. The Archbishop fastened
to give the desired audience, and the
stranger was ushered into his presence.
The architect was still young, but
thought and misfortune had left their
traces on his countenance and rendered
him in appearance prematurely grave.
After kindly returning his respectful
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 I am an archi-
tect by profession"
"You have come hither, attracted no
doubt by the notice which we in Toledo
have circulated throughout Spain, call
ing for an architect sufficiently skillful
to rebuild the bridge of San Martin ?"
"That is So"
care you aware of all the difficulties
of the work"
"l not only know them, your Grace,
but conceive myself capable of over
coming them"
"Where have you studied?" asked the
Archbishop.
"In Salamanca.
"And what buildings are .Aere to
which you can point in proof of your
skill?"
"None."
81 am very sorry indeed that you
have no credentials wherewith to satisfy
us that if we confde in you we shall not
trust in vain"
81 have one which at all events may
satisfy your Grace"
"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 he found standing on the key
stone Of the arch.
6. I agree to your TERMS replied the
Archbishop, quite won over by the self
confidence Of the stranger.
"And I will fulfill them," returned the
architect.
The Archbishop held out his hand to
the visitor, and the latter returned to
his house with a look of evident Joy.
The lady who had accompanied Juan de
Arevalo to Toledo, young and still love-
~ in spite Of the traces of suffering on
her face, awaited him with anxiety, and
hurried to meet him at the door.
Catalina, my own!" exclaimed the
architect, embracing his wife, "amidst
the monuments of art which beautify
Toledo, there will be one destined to
transmit to posterity the name of Juan
de Arevalo."
IL
On the eve of the Festival of San nde-
fonso, patron saint of the city, Juan de
Arevalo announced formally to the
Archbishop that in order to complete
his work there remained only the re-
moyal of the scafolding from the three
arches Of the bridge, the openings Of
which were still blocked up with in
tricate and yet sturdy masses of pine
wood.
The satisfaction of the Archbishop
and the people was extreme, 1t is true
that the removal of all the framework
on which the massive but artistically
chiseled blocks of stone appeared to rest
was work of great danger, but the
tranquil air of the architect, who was
committed to await the perilous ordeal