Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-11-11
PEPE'S SHR0UD.

was singularly CHEEKY LAD, and TO ms
unfailing good spirits, D doubt, owed
much of his popularity, rather than to MS
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
tours took the bull ring for some function
whose funds we're devoted to charitable
purposes; none pushed his horse TO such
strenuous efforts, nor chung so persistent
ly 60 the game at the coleadero when the
young bloods of the community pitted
their strength one against another in
"tailiug the bull" And brave he WAS too,
in emergencies in which the soul is less
higlly 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 a bold, defiant front 60 the law
less gentry infesting, in this day, the dis
trict, Pope demonstrated over his self
possession and courageous spirit.
group of Pepe's friends had had his
attributes under discussion, one hawy,
Highty Sunday afternoon, when the sud
den intermittent gusts of wind and rain
had driven them 20 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 grayeled ways or perched like
gay birds on the massive stucco benches.
The c0terie had betaken themselves TO
the house OF Don Enrique Soto at the
instance of FREDERICK, his son, who sat
briming their glasses with the cordial
wine of Paris-to the disdain, be it ad
mitted. of divers supescilious spirits, who
would haye been vastly better contented
with any poor, thin liquor, so only that il
bore a foreign label.
II tell you, comrades ALL cried Pablo
Nunez, "this line fellow Pope gets credit
for valor he does not know. In all these
feat5 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
mgr How long would he stand up before
an intangible shape a fhntom;'
At that n shouted chorus of laughter
ascended from the small circle of young
mon.
'Por Dios! Pablo, dost though believe
in fantoms: But what ghosts hast thou
seem Come tell us 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 rs 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-
porstitious.n
Pepe smiled when the babbling spirits
explained the situation, not failing, eth
er To mark the point that tho question
had arisen through Nuneza doubt OF
Peuo's valor.
But smile though he did, Pope looked
serious
Remember, mates, he sale, that Pab
10 Is from the Sierra, aud IN the noun
tains one grows up inclined so belief il
unearthly things the very influences OF
Nature, unchanged by the arts of man
tend that way"
by! Pope 20 the defenser
"Wen, yes, them said Pope; land
do thing moreover, that deep down IL
man heart there Turks belief ofless OF
greater strength, in the supernatural
Some stake their faith on dreams, auC
SOME ON signs and tokens. Thou, Cor
vera, didst -hiver and leave of playing
mallila one night last week because Juar
Luna looked over your shoulder with hi,
crossed eyes. How many of you vii
join me tomorrow in "a dinner I will Civ,
to twelve: Come speak up, boys! YoJ
shall have the fullest spread the tow
affords, and French wines all, Whae
are you bashful.'
No man made CNubcraut haste 90 nc
cept AIurhua's offer to make ono of nh,
thirteen, rather, the Young fellows looked
abashed and guilty.
Ala" cried Pablo Nune1. 81 told then
you'd wear .he white plume on som,
charges. Now, see, Pope, YOU rank "a
the pluckiest fellow IN the town. will yo,
90 10 Campo Sauto alone az uighty'
II don't think am tie pluckiest' sale
Pope; there's Juan Carrozco, who face,
and threw mad bull that VIZ charging
crowd IN the market place; and Fit,
Redoua. who overcame and tied Graz
Sanchez the butcher. over the dead bod,
of the maniacs son. that hc had just muir
dured"
so you want TO dodge the trial b,
lodging the honors - said Nunez taunt
ingly. "These are all cases where thu
danger is clear and definite, You vii
not go TO the graveyard"
90, yes said Pope ~ am not given Il
lodging l will 90. Now mind you.
am afraid. Yes, comrades, it is true
The unknown is always the thing fulles
of horrors, and find an awful terror il
the thought that. as bare possibility
ttrrrt Is grewsome an
and fearful might befal But TO m
mind the truest courage lies, not in on
reckless foolhardy exploits, but in fear
ing a thing and doing it all the same
Come, what do you wish me TO do?'
LET us 90 now to Campo Sarto, an
see what shall be the test;n and at tn
word they trooped ont and up the stree
to the dreary graveyard, facing on a foi
lorn empty square above the alameda
spot SO desolate and forbidding that it
mere contemplation would make world