Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-08-12
ARkcporE OF cgRvANrss

Loving reader" says he, in the preface
to g Persiles and Sigismunda," "as two of
my friends and myself were coming from
the famous town of E:quiviss-famous, I
say, on Thousand accounts; first, for its
illustrious families, and, secendly, for its
illustrious wines, etc.-I heard somebody
galloping after us, with intent, as | imag.
ined, to join our company; and, indeed, he
soon Justified my conjecture by calling out
to US to ride more softly, We accordingly
waited for this stranger, who, riding up TO
us upon she-ass, appeared to be gray
student, for he was clothed in gray, with
country buskins such az peasants wear to
defend their legs in harvest time, round.
toed shoes, sword provided, as it hap.
pened, with tolerab.e chape, starched
band and in even number OF three-thresd
bredes /; for the truth is, he had but two;
and as mis- band would every now and then
shift to one side, he took incredible pains
to adjust it again. Gentlemen said he,
you are going, belize, to solicit some post
or pension at Court; his eminence of To.
ledo must be there, to be sure, or the King
az least, by your making such haste. In
good faith, l could hardly overtake you,
though my ass hath been more than once
applauded for tolerable ambler.'
To this address one Of his companions
replied :" We are obliged 20 set on at 8
good rate, to keep up with that there met
tiesome nag belonging to Signior Miguel de
Cervautes.' Scarce had the student heard
my name, when springing from the back OF
his ass, while his pannel fell one way and
his wallet another, he ran towards me, and
taking hold of my stirrup, AYE, aye 7
cried he, this is the sound cripple the
renowned, the merry writer in word,
the darling of the MUSES. = In order TO
make some return to these high compli-
ments, threw my arms about his neck, so
that he lost his band by the eagerness of
my embraces, and told him that he was
mistaken, like many of my well.wishers.
l am indeed Cervantes, said l, but not
the darling of the MUSES., or in any shape
deserving of those encomIums you have be.
slowed; be pleased, therefore, good sig
nior, TO remount your beast, and let US
travel together like friends the rest of the
way The courteous student took my ad-
vice, and as we logged on softly together,
| the conversation happening to turn on the
subject OF my illness, the stranger soon
pronounced my doom, by assuring me that
my distemper was a dropsy, which all the
| water Of the ocean, although it were rot
| salt, would never be able to quench
Therefore, Signier Cervantes,' added the
student, you must totally abstain from
| drink, but do not forget to eat heartily
and this regimen will effect your recovery
without physic' L have received the
same advice from other people, answered l,
but cannot help drinking, az if l had
been born to do nothing else but drink
My life is drawing to period, and by the
daily journal of my pulse, which, find,
will have finished its course by next Sun.
day at the farthest, shall also have fin.
ished my career; SO that you come in the
very nick Of time to be acquainted with
me, though l shall have no opportunity of
showing how much am obliged to you for
your goodwill" By this time we had
I reached the Toledo bridge, where, finding
we must part. embraced my student once
more, and he having returned the compli.
ment with great cordiality, spurred up his
beast, and left me as ill-disposed on my
horse as he was ili-monnted on his ass !;
although my pen itched to be writing some
humorous description of his equipage but,
| adieu, my merry friends all for am go.
ing to die, and / hope to meet you again
in the other world, as happy as heart can
wish"