The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-12

IN THE CHAPEL OF DEATH.

A Hitherto Unwritten Chapter In the Life
of President Juarez, of Mexico.
at was the best thing / ever saw in the
National Thester," said an old.timer to the
reporter of The Two Republics yesterday.
'Oh, it is an old story, but I never saW IL
in print" ht continued.
What WIS it about2' asked the interested
news-gathe er.
The ole nan then referred to an interest
ing story J ord ng Jose Valero, the Spanish
actor, who - n present occupying the chair
of elocutioA Ia a Madrid college. The cur
tain rings up a. the time of the occurrence,
1868, on the stage Of the National Theater,
this city.
Valero wss playing that November night,
and the theater was crowded with people.
TIE miner actor was inspired hat night
not by the breath of the everlasting roses of
Mexico; not by the fascinating glances and
the bewitching glances telegraphed by dark
eyed senOritas from behind their huttsring
fans; not by the waves OF applause that
swept over the stage and drowned even his
magnificent voice. His inspiration was that
of friendship.
Valero had q tried and true friend-Juarez,
the illustrious patriot and President. Juarez
admired the actor tor himself as well as for
his ~princely art and his irresistible magnet
ism. Time had not frosted Valer0's temples,
and the actor was in his prime,
The President occupied a box and was en-
ihusiastic in his demonstration of pleasure
over the success OF his friend.
The political revolutions OF that time had
created sntsgonism to the administration,
and as Juarez was memorable, and was 9
perfect slave to the law, hundreds of execu.
lions occurred. One of the victims of the
spirit Of uprisal was Manuel Rodriguez, an
officer of the regular army, under sentence
of death for insu bordiuation. Rodriguez
combined the chivalry Of the Cid with the
fiery i~mpetuosity OF the Aztec, and was very
popular in the city of Mexico. Hence many
efforts were made to save him, but to all
appeals Juarez turned a deaf ear. Rodri-
gutz ives removed 10 the chapel. across
whose threshold he should only pass 10 see
the sunlight for the last time, and go down
under the bullets of his executioners.
That night Valero appeared in the passion
ate, pathetic drama OF Palau, LA Campana
de Is Almudains," the Bell of Almudaina.
ut is a good OCCASION said the friends OF
Rodriguez, ITO make a last effort to save
him. Let Valero speak to the President"
ValeIo Immediately consented to m axe
the effort. During the interval between the
second and third acts, he repaired to the
Juarez box in his stage costume.
this?'
Excuse my appearing in this costume"
replied the actor.
at is q costume Of honor" said Juarez,
''cne that has earned you many glorious
laurels."
"Thanks, your excellency."
Are you coming to give the third act Of
your drama in my box2" g%raciously asked
Juartz, with q smile.
A shade of adness 1oated over the actors
eyes like a cloud over the sky, and his vol .
softened into tenderness, and be said.
mo, sir; l have come to avert TRACED,
and not to continue a drama"
"How is thRt?" said Juares, deeply inte-.
ested.
"Well l Will explain in a few words. l anu
a Spaniard by birth, but in Mexico Ihave re-
ceived so many marks of esteem that / CO..,
slider it as second only to my native land
and you, friend Juarez, the dearest CON
patriot of them all"
Juarez was visibly moved, and his honest
Indian hand trembled Is he grasped that O.
Valero.
What can l do for your he asked.
Here is my petition" replied the actor.
'Sir, while We are here, you watching my
work and l acting 8 ~fsrcical comedy, there
Is one who groane and signs for himself
alone, before q crueifx in a chapel, whose
only lot is an ignomtniOus death very soon,
whose only consolation Is Christian resig-
nation, an unhappy"
do not continue, Valero,' interrupted
Juarez. ~"Delinquents do not merit your
good Offices, and | can not turn from him
the infexible verdict of military law"
Valero bent mis- head for q moment. Bat
he pressed other arguments, and finally
Juarez said:
has any one counseled you to plead
thus2'
Eyes, sir; all the Spanish residents in the
City Of Mexico"
Juarez dryly requested Vslero to continue
the play, and the actor left the Presidential
box with no hopes of success in his noble
venture.
Juarez soon left the theater, aud when at
the palace called his council of war. What
| passed there is not known, but when the per-
Torrance was over Vslero was summoned to
the palace.
"Take that" said the President, as Valsro
entered the Council Chamber, and q pardon
was handed him. You now have Rodri-
guez's life in your hands"
TT is the greatest benefit I ever received -
/ said the eminent comedian with emotion, as
he faced q few moments later the brave
officer on bis knees before the cruclix; n
the baptism Of tears became q sacrament TO
fall on three noble hearts-the President in
his palace, the prisoner and the actor in
the chapel of death.-Mexico Two Republics.