Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-12-15

I
San Martin, friend2'
Il do, but ] believe myself capable
ofovercoming them"
"Where have you studied architec-
ture?'
"At Salamanca"
"And what works testify to your
skill?"
'tNone whatever" Noting The
frown on the face of the archbishop,
the stranger FASTENED to add: II
was soldier in my youth, my lord;
but leaving the profession of arms /
devoted myself to architecture, and
If on firm and well-proportioned pile
attests my knowledge, it is that for
the sake of bread have relinquished
to Others the credit of more than
one edifice of my construction across
the Tonnes and the Duero. And for
the rest, | offer you my life in pledge
of my competency"
NHow so? you speak in riddles.
You must know that men are no
longer put to death for failure to
perform the conditions of a prom
Use.
AYE, true, my lord; but when the
main arch of the bridge should be
completed the place of its architects
on the keystone, and ifthe arch prove
false and fall, its builder would fall
with it.
''That offer is surely fair" said the
archbishop, "as proof of your ear
nestness and sincerity. Let the work
be begun tomorrow"
Juan de Arevalo FASTENED to the
humble dwelling, in whose embrasur-.
ed window sat watching the woman
who had accompanied him to Toledo:
a woman still young and beautiful,
Notwithstanding her face bore the
traces Of vjgils and privations.
Catalina! my Catalina!" exclaimed
the architect, embracing his wife
fondly, 'among these monuments
that glorify Toledo there will be one
that will transmit to posterity the
name of Juan de Arevalo."
No longer could the Toledanos,
approaching the Tajo over escarped
rocks and masses OF ruins, exclaim,
Here was the bridge of San Martini"
for already the new bridge reared
itself in shapely proportions upon
the rent foundations, now made
solid, Of the ancient structure. The
archbishop and other wealthy Toll
edanos were showering rich gifts up
on the fortunate and skillful archi-
tect who had succeeded in throwing
the three great arches of the bridge.
in spite of the gigantic daring of the
work and the furious currents of the
river.
On the eve of the day of San Ylde-
tonso, patron saint of the city. Juan
de Arevalo informed the archbishop
that his task was completed, saving
only the removing of the scaffolding
from the three arches. 1t WAS a
perilous test-the taking down
OF the complicated system
OF heavy iron seaffolding
which hraced the enormous mass OF
delicately carved timbers: but the
calmness with which the architect
awaited the issue, which he promised
to meet standing on the central key
stone, filed those about him with
confidence. With proclamation and
pealing of bells was announced for
the following day the solemn bene-
diction and dedication of the bride,
and The Toledanos, from the heights
commanding the vale of the Tajo,
contemplated with Joyous emotion
the beloved Cigarralels that foryears
had been sad, lonely, almost de
serted, and which werenow to reeov-
er their old-time beauty and anima-
ton.
Toward nightfall Juan de Arevalo
climbed upon the scaffolding of the
central arch to see that all was in
readiness for the morrow s ceremony.
Meanwhile, he was gayly singing. All
mt once the song died on his lips, the
light faded from his face, and sor-
rowtully he descended, and
slowly took his way homeward.
His wife Catalina came forth to meet
him, full of love and contentment;
but frightful pallor overspread her
face at the sight of the despairing
countenance of her husband.
"Oh, Father in Heavenr' she cried:
what is it, then, my dear one? Art
thou ill?''
"Ill-no! dead-yes-in hope, in
power, in honorl Ayel in life itself
for | will not survive the dishonor
of tomorrow. Nay. the only shred
of honor can wrest from fate will be
mine but in dying!"
"Nol nor cried Catalina: "Juan,
thou dreamestl Thy great excess of |
labor has deranged thy thought, my
dear one. Come hither, let me cali
the leech and heal thee!n
Not so it is the truth tell thee.
When | was the most sure of success,
most confident of triumph, now on
the eve of the test, have discovered |
an error in my calculation that to-
will bury in the Taio the
bridge and the unfortunate that un-
successfully planned it,"
The bridge may fall, beloved, but
thou shalt not go with it. On my
knees | win entreat the archbishop
to exempt thee from that horrible
promise.
Sand IL hn Weld tbaf will nnt ~