The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-19
Select Sturp.
THE GIPSY'S WARNING.


lies three leagues distant from Madrid, was
once the residence Of many proud and
opuleDt, families who have long since passed
away from earth, Among muleteers,
shepherds and watcr.carries, one would
hardly look for old Spanish grandecs, and
San Pablo is now only populated by an
iguoble race.
At the period of which we write there
lived in San Pablo one, Count Rodrigo de
Biyas, who claimed to be descended from
that Biyas who was called the thunderbolt
of Spain, on account Of the military ex-
ploits.
The count was in the 32d year of his
age, had been educated abroad, and only
returned to his country at the death of his
father, who bequeathed to him vast estates
in the southern part of Spain, which made
him one Of the wealthiest mobiles in the
kingdom. lie was tall, well.formed, with
a pleasing cOuntenance, with which was
blended great resolution. II was said of
him that ho was never known to eyince
the least trepidation under any cireum.
stance that ever occurred. Just as he was
quitting Germany for his home, he chanced
to meet Senior Ruiz, who was abroad with
his family, and he almost instantly became
enamored with his beautiful daughter Ju.
Tia. For months the count had impatient
ly awaited the return Of Senior Ruiz to
Spain, and at length he heard of the arri.
val of the lovely girl whose image was so
indelibly impressed on his heart.
The sun was shining cheerily and the
birds were singing blithely along the road.
side, as the count rode forward to Madrid
on his trusty mule, richly adorned with
silver trappings. As he came to turn in
the road there stalked out of clump Of
bushes the figure Of n woman 10 strange
attire. Her dress was so fantastic that he
reined up his mule suddenly, and gazed at
her in surprise Her face was swarthy,
and upon her head she wore n yellow and
red turban, while her skirt, which was
green and short, was rent in many places.
She displayed pair of bright blue stock. :.
ings, and her feet were eucascd in red mo.
rocco slippers
"Upou my word" calculated the count,
"this is certainly strange being
Before, however, he could reflect fur
ther, the woman approached him, and
craved permission to tell his fortune.
"a gipsy2' he cried.
''let me see your hand, said the woman,
without appearing to notice his remark.
The count regarded her attentively and
then laughed
Nay, nay, my woman, am no believ.
er in these matters; but you, like your race
are poor, suppose; therefore, take this, y
and he tossed her peso which she quick
lypicked 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 it is then, replied the count, as
he ungloyed his hand aud extended il to.
ward the gipsy. The dark.eyed bag gazed
intently at the counts hand for some min.
utes, then looked up in his face, and laugh.
ing, said ;-"'Tis ever the same with hand.
some and gay men, Love, love, always
love. will tell you that you cannot be.
lieve, but warn you, beware of the Raw
en-, and before the count could question
her she darted among the trees, aud be saw
her tattered tinery disappear in the forest,
beware pfthe raven" quoth the count.
what raven 7 What can the creature
mean? All il is one of their tricks; it
has no significance at all, " and he pricked
his mule with one spur aud rode forward
humming ballad, all the while thinking
of the beautiful Julia.
The sun was sinking behind the horizon
as he gained the suburbs Of the city. Sud.
denly his mule made plunge, and losing
her footing came TO the ground with her
rider.
. bad omen, mutieyed the count as he
rose unhurt aud gazed at the mule, which
was almost instantly on her feet again
She had always been a remarkably sure.
footed beOst, and the count, who was not
without certain tinge Of superstition. an.
peared uncertain whether to proceed or
retrace his way, As he stood dangling his
bride in lis hand, his eyes caught sight Of
an Old public house by the wayside.
"Well tarry here for the night. he
said, and leading the animal, be walked
towards the building. 4 NaN'
The hoNsa in questiap was Of large a.
mensipHs, Tie windows few aud small, and
were set deep within the thickness Of the
wall, immediately over the portal hung a
weathor-bealen sign, announcing the house
as the Raven IuH. For an Instant the
count hesitated, as tho gipsys warning
camc to bis mind, but tho ieeling passed OH
instantly, aud pulling the bell, he awaited
the opening Of the heavy courtyard doors,
Tho count was tired and required rest, and
as be was dstermined not to enter the city
that night one place was as good as anoth.
CT to tarry 10. Had he known the rem.
iation Of the Raven he doubtless would
have sought other lodgings. 50 long had
he been absent from his country, that
many local events had iranspired Of which
he knew nothing, and one Of the most mo-
ted occurrence had been the trial Of An,o.
MO Hernandez (the rFopgietot hf the Ra.
Won n finrl mn fflAr and dk(.l4 s,.k.t.t.t q II