Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-08-16
SHE BELIEVES In METEMPSYC-
HOSTS.
A widow CHngs to a Turkey and
Won't Go to Her Husband.

SAN ANToNMIo, TEx.--Justice Leila
Maque of the Eission Espada came to
town to-day and related to interested
auditors very queer tale of the neigh
borhood. One year ago Antonio Jimens,
q likely looking Mexican of the lower
order, married young widow, Eliza
Valdez, who is described as being re-
markably handsome, and prior to her
last marriage quite ardently desired by
such youths as had the good fortune to
be acquainted with her. The ceremony
was of the usual kind with this happy go
lucky people; the blackrobed padre join
ed them, there was supper, some whis.
key, some dancing and music, and much
guitar playing. The festivities were kept
up till late hour, but ended at last
The impatient bridegroom approached
his prize, requesting her to make ready
to accompany him to their future home.
He was disagreeably astonished when
she burst into tears, threw her arms
around her aged grandmother's neck,
and refused to 60 with him. Arguments,
protestations, wooings, anger, were of
no avail; she intended to stay there, and
she stayed, giving no explanation furth-
er than that she was compelled to refuse
to live with him. Jimens took himself
off 10 high dudgeon, but returned next
morning to renew his pleading. He
achieved the same result, and was left
involved in the same mystery, the deeper
as his recalcitrant spouse was widow,
and might have been reasonably suppos-
ed to have long ago overcome any stub
born maidenly scruples.
Tho 10 1f To- - II
Jimens lives by himself, and Mrs.
Valdez, or rather Jimens de jatre, if not
defacto, lives with her grandmother. She
has developed, however, very singular
mania which explains her queer action.
Like most Mexicans, she believes in the
doctrine of metempsychosis. With her
it is not a matter of philosophy, but of
superstition. There is a pet turkey
around the place into which she asserts
that the soul of the deceased Valdez en-
tered on the night of her second mar
riage. She tends the bird with the most
devoted assiduity; will not suffer it for a
moment out of her sight has it in her bed
chamber at night; follows it about like a
slavish nurse; talks to it in terms of ex-
travagant endearment; is i'll when it is
i'll; rejoices when it is we'll again, and
gives 1.-THE choicest food which her limit
ed means enable her to procure. Under
the influence of this intense and un.
natural attachment she has wasted
away, and is no longer the buxom and
blooming beauty of year ago.
1t is belief among her friends that
when the gobbler dies she, too. will seel
consolation in the tomb. The idea is i'm
movably fixed in her mind; all attempts
to disabuse her of the nonsensical i'm
preston are resisted with tears. some
times with violence. If the unconsciou.
object of her attachment strays from he
side, as, being an active bird enough, i
sometimes does, she becomes nearly I'm
mana geable, and runs wildly from plac
to plice seeking and calling it. Thi
1anlastio version of .'The Quick or thu
Dead excites much interest in tn,
Espada section, and Mrs. Valdez re
ceives numerous sympatlizing callers
with whom she is entirely affable, until
they endeavor to show her that she il
making a fool of herself. st. Louis
! Democrat,