Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-30
A TALE OF THE BULL-RING.

/ was early in my seat, for like,
above all things. to see the motley crowd
of sun-burned Spaniards come trooping
to their national game. | was not IN the
sombre or shady seats, for l prefer to
take my place among the crowd, one of
whomI almost am nov, and, moreover,
what right has penniless young artist
to spend dollar on seeing bull-fght?
How noisy and hot and dusty they all
looked as they trooped in and took their
seats around mel l was surprised at the
crowd; there was no great matador go
ing to kill bulls today, yet all the cheap
er seats were filling.
| asked my neighbor, peasant IN
fiat, black hat, bTeeohes, and highly dec
GRATED CATERS and a bright waistcoat,
and wearing his coat slung from his
shoulders.
"Senor," said, "Can you tell me why
so many people are here today"
He looked at me a moment with an eI-
preston of surprise.
'You do not know" He spoke with
strong Andaluslan accent. "Sebastian
will kill the bull"
"Sabastian?" | said. "Senor, do not
think nae ignorant, but know no bull
fighter of that name"
He laughed.
"He has never killed a bull before; to
day Is his first. He comes from this part;
that is why every one iss here" Then he
added: 81 will tell you his story. Sebas-
tian is only a muleteer who once a week
drives caravan of mules from his noun
tain village to this town. Ouce a week
he comes with his burden of fruit. But
he is poor; the mules are not his; he is
npI, 10 fnr annfhar Ea Danaad for
moment and he added: "YOu are a
stranger heref"
EYES," said. 1 only arrived yester
day"
"Then you do not know Juanita-La
Bella Juanita we call herr" He did not
wait for me to answer his question, but
continued: Every one falls in love with
Juanita, and Sebastian, like the rest, did
too. He prayed and besought her TO
marry him, but she is proud and would
not look at the humble muleteer. But
after q time his handsome face and Oft
repeated tale impr essed her; SO she told
him she would marry him if he would kill
bull in the ring at today's fair. But
hushl Here she is"
] turned in the direction in which he
was pointing, and gazed with astonish'
ment at one of the lOveliest creatures it
hho ChC1 bCCA NY lOb w CSSs ALI C1Co 0CAO
fixed on her, yet she was an impressive as
if she were alone and unnotioed. Her
light, golden hair--not uncommon among
the Spanards-wa bound up high upon
her head, and summounted by dark,
crimson rose, which held in its place her
mantilla, a black lane.
1t was time the bull fight commenced
and already the impatient Spaniards
were shouting and calling, but yet the
gobernador had not taken his seat in the
box served. l was all impatient to see
Sebastian and his was first bull to be
killed. Igazed hastily round the ring
what an anomaly it presented. Near me,
but in the better seats, were a lady and
her two little g iris, whom she was feeding
on chocolates, and whose tiny hands were
al ready to clap the victorious matador.
Behind and around me were the jaunty,
dusty crowd, among whom passed and
repassed the sellers of water, with their
shrill cry of aqua, aqua fresca," and the
vendors of biscuits and nuts. Below is
the arena with its burning yellow sand a
miniature desert. Suddenly the band
commenced to play. l turned and saw
that the administrators box was no long
er empty. A small man in black coat
and a silk hat had taken his seat, sur
rounded by half doven officers in full
uniform and lady or two. One by one
the spears of the picadors were handed
to them, and he measured the points
TO see that none were beyond the
prescribed length-suffioient to slightly
wound and enrage the bull without en-
6angering its life or iniuring 1t seriously.
Four of the matadors were profession
ais; the fifth-to whom was given the
place of honor in the center and slightly
ahead - vas Sebastian. All eyes we're
turned on him.
gate is opened in the arena. With a
roar, and shout from the people, the
bull rushes from his darkene6 cell into
the ring. He looks around him; for
momeht he paws the ground; then, led on
by the moving cloak of one of the mata
doris, he charges. A graceful bend of the
body and slight movement to one side,
and the bull has passed his quarry, who
stands untouched and smiling behind
him. Again he charges-three times in
quick succession - but his horns touch
nothing more solid than the crimson
cloak, which waves above his head each
time he passes the matador. For a mo-
ment ''toro" stands as if stupefied; then
espies larger and safer bait, and with a
fearful rush lifts horse and picsdor into
heap. The matadors are quick, however,
and while the picador is being helped
to his feet and the attendants are unsad
ding the horse, fast bleeding to death
from a wound in its side, they call off the
bull by waving their cloaks and keep his
attention fixed on themselves. He is q
good bull. The people are delighted
"Bravo, toro!'' they cry. "Bravissimo"
Another horse falls dead, the third is
wounded and let out, the fourth killed
but the Spaniards are not satisfied IN
their love of blood.
Two of the matadors STEPPED to the side
OF the arena, leaving their cloaks, and
taking in each hand q banderlllo. The!
step into the center of the ring, and
posing themselves on tipto, holding the
banderillos far above their heads at arms
length, face the bull. A moment the nov
furious beast pauses, then with charg'
makes for one of his adversaries; for
second all is cloud of dust, in which thu
advancing forms of bull and man ar,
scarcely discernible; the next, the bull il