Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-11-11
PEPE'S SHROUD.

Pope Murhua was perhaps the most
popular young man in San Felipe. He
was a singularly CHEEKY lad, and to his
unfailing good spirits, no doubt, owed
much of his popularity, rather than to his
many qualities of greater sterling worth.
But the trait which excited most interest
among his compeers of his own age and
sex was his dauntless, daring courage.
None so reckless as Pope when the anna
teurs took the bUll-ring for some function
whose funds were devoted to charitable
purposes; none pushed his horse to such
strenuous efforts, nor chung so persistent
ly to the game at the cOleaderO when the
young bloOds of the community pitted
their strength one against another in
''tailing the bull" And brave he was too,
in emergencies in which the soul is less
highly keyed to heroism thar in such
stimulating phases of dash and enthu-
siasm. Facing calmly and in cold blood
maddened by drink or passion, or else
turning bold, defiant front to the law
less gentry infesting, in this day, the dis
trict, Pope demonstrated over his self
possession and courageous spirit.
A group of Pepe's friends had had his
attributes under discussion, one fawy,
Eighty Sunday afternoon, when the sud
den intermittent gusts of wind and rain
had driven them to shelter from the rath-
er bleak elements, where to-day no car
riages dashed under the garrulous cotton
woods, nor demUre dark-eyed maidens
paced the graveled ways or perched like
gay birds on the massive stuccO benches
The cOterie had betaken themselves to
the house of Don Enrique Soto, at the
instance of FREDERICK, his son, who sat
brimlng their glasses with the cordial
wine of Paris-tO the disdain, be IL ad-
mitted, of divers supeTcilious spirits, who
would have been vastly better cOntented
with any poor, thin liquor, so only that it
bore foreign label.
II tell you, comrades all,'' cried Pablo
Nunez, ''tk is fine fellow Pope gets credit
for valOr he does not know. In all these
feats of strength that he performs he
knows that he is at an advantage by vir-
tue of his Timber build and strong mus
cles. But the true test OF courage will be
a case where he will be on equality with
Others-the world How would he be-
have during an earthquake, when his ire
mendous strength would avail him moth
ing? How long would he stand up before
an intangible shape-a fantom?"
At that a shouted chorus of laughter
assembled from the small circle of young
men.
''Por >Dios! Pablo, dost though believe
in fantOms? But what ghosts hast thou
seen? Come, tell us a tale-a story-a
legend. A pretty business this-that
Pablo has grown credulous of ghosts-he
who was won't to scott at aught that he
could not touch, regarding the doctrines
of the church even as the superstitious
dreams of ignorant women. Ho, Pepe!"
cried the merry crew, deriding az the
favOrite came TO the door, 'here is meat
for thy mirth! Here is Pablo grown su-
perstitious!"
Pope smiled when the babbling spirits
explained the situation, not failing, eth
er to mark the point that the question
had arisen through Nunez's doubt of
PeDe's valor.
But smile though he did, Pope looked
serious.
Remember, mates, he said, 'that Pab-
10 is from the Sierra, and in the noun
tains one grows up inclined to belief in
unearthly things very influences of
Nature, unchanged by the arts of man,
tend that way"
"Ey! Pope to the defenser'
''Wel, yes, them" said Pope; land I
do thing moreover, that deep down in
man heart there turks belief, ofless or
greater strength, in the supernatural.
Some stake their faith on dreams, and
some on signs and tokens. Thou, Cor
vera, didst shiver and leave off playing
mallila one night last week because Juan
Luna looked over your shoulder with his
crossed eyes. How many of you will
join me tomorrow in a dinner | will give
to twelve? Come, speak up, boys! You
shall have the fullest spread the town
affords, and French wines all. What!
are you bashful?"
No man made exuberant haste to &C
cept Murhua's offer to make one of the
thirteen; rather, the young fellows looked
abashed and guilty.
"Aia!" cried Pablo Nunez. II told them
you'd wear the white plume on some
charges. Now, see, Pope, you rank as
the Quickest fellow in the town: will you
go to Campo Santo alone at night?"
Il don't think 1 am the pluckiest," said
Pope; there's Juan Carrozco, who faced
and threw a mad bull that was charging
a crowd in the market-place; and Tito
Redona, who overcame and tied crazy
Sanchez the butcher, over the dead body
of the maniac's son, that he had just muir
dered."
$50 you want to dodge the trial by
ingly. "These are all cases where the
danger is clear and definite, You vii
not go to the graveyard?"
go, yes" said Pope, II am not given tt
lodging: I will go. Now, mind you,
am afraid. Yes, comrades, it is true
The unknown is always the thing fulles
of horrors, and find an awful terror ii
the thought that, as bare possibility
even, somewhat that is grewsome ant
and fearful might befall. But to N.
mind the truest courage lies, not in GU
reckless foolhardy exploits, but in fear
ing a thing and doing it all the same
Come, what do you wish me to dor"
''Let US go now to Campo Santo, ant
see what shall be the test;'' and at tn
word they trooped out and up the stree
to the dreary graveyard, facing on a for
lorn empty square above the alameda
spot so desolate and forbidding that it
mere contemplation would make world