Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-02


 of Granada, and, dismounting, said. with tho utmost coolness that he wished to see that illustrious parsonage.
 It is hardly necessary to remark that this desire successively aroused resistance on tho part of the sentinel on duty, laughter amongst the orderlies, and doubt and hesitation amongst the aides-de-camp, before it came to the knowledge of his Excellency Senor Don Eugenio Porto-carrero. Count del Montiio. and at that epoch Captain-General of the ancient Kingdom of Granada. But as tho said Captain-Gcneral was very good-tem- pered individual, and had already taken some notice of the gipsy, whose name was Heredia. and who had acquired certain notoriety by his iocular ways, his smart sayings, and his clever tricks he gave orders for the visitor to be admitted.
 The later entered the study of his Excel iency, taking one step backward for every two he made forward as was his custom when matters looked ticklish, and, falling upon his knees, he exclaimed: Blessed be the Holy Virgin, and blessed by your worship, tho mas ter of us all"
 "Get up drop your fiattery, and tell me what you want, answered the Count, drily.
 Heredia also became serious. and said, with some pertness, "Well, senor, have come for the thousand reales."
 "What thousand reales?"
 ''Those which you offered some time back by proclamation to whoever would bring you the description of Parron."
 "What! Have you his description, then?"
 "Yes. I have sought him out, I have seen him. and can describe him. and ask for tho reward"
 Are you surc that you have seen him?" exclaimed the Captain whose in terest in the matter began to overcome his doubts.
 The gipsy burst out laughing. and replied "Your worship thinks that, like so many more, am trying to deceive you. But may God never forgive me if I am lying. I saw Parron yesterday"
 "But do you understand the importance of what you aro saying? Do you know that for three years VIC have been hunting for this monster this bloody-minded bandit, whom no one knows, md no one has ever been able to catch sight of and escape his clutches? Do you know that he robs w;yiarcrs daily at various points in the mountains, and then kills them because, as he says, tho dead can tell no tales, and that this is the only way of kecpin, out of the hands of justice? Do you know, in short that to meet Parron is to find yourself face to face with dcath?'
 Tho gipsy burst out laughing again, and said And does not your worship know that what a gipsy cannot do no one on earth can. Can anyone tell when our laughter our tears are real? Do you know any !oN full of tricks as we are? I repeat that have not only seen Parron, but have spoken to him."
 "Where?"
 "On the Tozar road"
 "Prove it to me-
 "Listen. your worship. Yesterday week and my donkey fell into the hands of some thieves. They bound me very tightly, and led me by some informally rugged deillcs to Il plateau where they had their camp. A cruel suspicion haunted mo. Are they Parron s men?' kept asking myself every minute. If so, there is no way of getting out of it they will kill me, for that devil has made up his mind that any eye that lights on his face shall see very few things moro. 1 w;,s occu- pied with these reflections when d richly dressed man stepped up to me, and, touch!..:; :; me on the shoulder and smiling pleasantly said to me:
 "'Gossip, am Parrun.' "To hear this and to fall flat were one and the same thing to mo. Tho bandit burst out laughing. got up on my knees, and eN- claimed, in every tone of voice I could think of in turn "'Blessed be your soul, King of Mankind | How was it that did not recognize you by | the prlncely bearing God has endowed you | with! What would not a mother 'to to bear l such children: Let mo hunbly embrace you, | my son. May I die in evil hour if you have not been lucky in coming across a Gipsy to | tell vour fortune and kiss your royal hand | am one of your own sort Shall teach you | how to swop dead donkics for live ones? Dc | you want to sell your old horses coltsi Would you like mo to teach a mule French?' The Count del Montijo could not hel p laugh. | ing. Then he asked: 'tWhat did parron say to all this? What did he do?" 'Thc same as your worship--.laugh."
 "And yourself?'
 l q, Senor? I laughed too, but the tears were running down my checks as big as l oranges"
 | ">Io on."
 "Well he then held out his hand to me and said: Gossip, you are the only clever fellow that ever fell into my power. All th' others have the abominabe habit of sadden ing me by weeping, complaining, and indulg ing in other tomfooleries that get my temper Np. You alone have made me laugh, and if i were not for those tears-"
 But, Senor, they are tears of joy
 "I will believe it. Devil knows it is tn first time I have laughed for seven or eigh years. It is true that neither have I wept But let us make haste. Here, boys
 .'As Parron spoke I was surrounded by number of levelled guns in the twinkling O an eye. Jesus shield mer I began to cry
 "'Stop, said Palron. Not just yet. onl called you to know what you took from thi man2'
 GA donkey.'
 l ''And in money?'
 "'Threc duros and seven reales.'
 "..AlI right. Leave us.' All drew back
 Now tell me my fortune,' said the robbel holding out his hand to me.
 "I took it. meditated moment recognize that tho only thing to do was to speak accord ing to facts, and said with tho truth of m soul, 'Parron, sooner or later, whether yo take my life or spare it. you will die on tn scaffold,' ....
 "I know that,' answered the bandi quietly. But tell me when.'
 "I began to hesitate. This man, I though will spare my life; tomorrow I shall be Granada aud will describe him: the next da
 he will be caught. Then the trial will begin. You wish to know when,' I answered aloud Well it will be during next month";
 'Parron shuddered, and so did I, know ing that my pride in my skill as forum. teller might. as to say, have cut my ow ! throat
 DA~n~ NAf--A--l