Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-04-19
THE NECTAR OF OUR ANCESTORS.
A STORY THAT HAS MUCH HISTORY.

A STORY THAT HAS MUCH HISTORY.
Translated from the. Spanish of Don Julio de
Siguenza, by Samuel II. Gerrish, for the REC
oRD-UNIoN.
PART III.
We left Cervantes and his friends walk
ing towards the Hospital of San Andres,
founded by the Emperor Charles L. Il. of
Spain, V. of Germany for inferior servants
of his court, and the priest going towards
his respectable house in Frances street !;
inasmuch we are transported TO al@arid
(place where metheglin is soldl, contiguous,
or at least near to the Corral de Ia Cruz,
which existed in the times to which this
story refers, and which, as we have said,
contains much of history, and much of
truth.
This hospital occupied floor on the
street with two doors, adorned on the
sides with species of red curtains; the
size of the store, if not large, was sufficient
to contain twelve or thirteen Valsain pine
tables of which, also, were the chairs or
benches on which assiduous customers
seated themselves who had an affection for
ALOHA, drink that in those times was COM
mon among all the wealthy Spaniards and
most of the courtesans, that refreshed
themselves with il in the warm months of
summer, or warmed their blood during the
cold winter, since the celebrated ALOHA was
possessed OF both of these qualities. TWAS,
and has been during centuries, the nectar OF
our ancestors.
A counter, or at least a shelf, is eucoun-
tered in one of the corners, where the
glasses, or rather the mugs. and vessels OF
various sizes, jars and bottles of distinct
forms, were confounded at the side of q
species of suspended sideboard, on top of
which was little temple which covered
the image of Santa Ana, patron and me.
dia!or of the city. A trap-door in the floor,
almost always open, gave an entrance to
the cellar, where in the darkness the aloie
was kept. And lastly, to complete the
picture, strong young man of about 20
yea ito bring up the drink into the store,
young woman, not bad appearing, that
served the customers, and a man of about
90 years, red as poppy, with round, full
face and very corpulent, his head covered
with white cap in the Flemish style, a
long apron fastened to the neck aud TO the
waist. All this was sustained over long
These three types constituted the principal
basis of the al0aria. The last person
mentioned was called Master Pedro Fer
nandez de Villabul, native OF Valladolid,
and master examiner for the corporation
of AlojaroS of the ancient court.
Very different were the persons that then
filled it-that is to say, it was at that time
the most aristocratic store in which it was
served during the sorrowful days of the
reign of Senor Don Philip III. of Asturias,
and it was genuine Spanish drink. No
blemen, gentlemen and citizens confounded
gladly, however they were ever guarded in
their respect to the blood, to class and to
those that merited it. They never spoke of
politics, although the majority mourned
the decay of our arms. OF how much hope
they had of the young Prince, to whom
was destined the crown of Spain, and there
was much talk of the religious solemnities
that were celebrated daily in the converts,
monasteries, churches and parishes, that
without number crowded the city of
Madrid, and the exit of the comedies OF
Lope and Tirso. The august persons of the
Kings of Spain were entirely out of all
discussion, although they might eulogize
the goodness of the King, the beauty of
Dona Margarita of Austria, the Queen, and
the elegant appearance of the Prince of
Asturias. But if anything was remem bered
OF the recent expulsion of the Moors, the
truce of tlsetue gears, and the misery the
people suffered by the war, they spoke of
it near to neighbor's ear. Although all
the time the Duke de Lerma, the Prime
Minister, was in disgrace and more yet his
Secretary, Don Rodrigo Calderon.
But we will have to refrain from all these
things and fix attention alone on two per.
sons that were seated opposite each other
Of ho tok1 ~
doors, and in friendly conversation, while
they relished the delicious drink that TO
the sweetness of honey united the narcotic
of the nutmeg and the exciting Glove and
pepper.
Over the Oldest were the lines OF seventy
four years, his hair short and white as
snow, that made prominent the pallid and
yellow color of bis face, lined with wrin-
kles, and on which were long whiskers as
white as his hair. The wrinkles plowed
deep in the forehead and face of the gen.
tleman made him look many years older
than the parsonage who we will know
afterwards. If the expression of the dress,
all black, with which he was clothed, the
black hat, adorned with a white feather
the light and plated ruffle around his
neck, shaming the high collar of his dress
may give us an approximate idea from
which to conjecture of the importance oi
the person.
His companion, of crafty and malicious
air, was fat, of beastly countenance, with 8
small beard, more black than white, and il
harmony with his hair was displayed 6
species of red helmet. He was dressed in
clothes neither noble nor plebiean, but was
covered with kind of opeYGH, or grea
coat, trimmed with fur, very much moth
eaten. He showed the marks of fifty OF
more years.
Near these, and standing in a respectful
attitude. with his cap in his hand, was en-
countered the owner of the alojaria, who
had Just entered at the moment, holdine
some papers he had taken from Segopis
cloth-wrapper.
Here you have them, Senior Vicente
Espinel," said master Villabol, land you
will have to see in these as to the places in
right we have, we, the master of aloiaros
that came to this ancient court of Madrid
by grace OF our lord, the King" and here
the others saluted, where neither can They
store, much less make the good ALOHA, with
out the penalties of the commonwealth
And you say very well, master" an.
swered Espinel, arranging the papers thai
the alolero hsd given him to read. And
will have to tell you what I think, and
will add to that the opinion of the respect
able, continued the first in jesting tone
"and dear friend of mine, the Senior Juar
Rufo Gutierrez, of so much value when he
came as solicitor TO the court, that was in
the time of our dead monarch, Don Philip
the Prudent, whom may God relieve
You would value it more, companion
not 10 get the halter in the house of the
hangman," broke in the so-called solicitor
in restless and fretful tone land since
you are sarcastic by nature and birth, add
il you wish to tell the truth, that bad so
licitor was there, if we are to Judge by the
end obtained and / will take the conse
ouences of this
Have no more OF this" answered tn.
master Espinel, ''the old and good friend
ship between you two is enough alone tc
prove to you the little reason that yor
carry. Senior Gutierrez, for your resent
ment."
Come hither, friend. and since you ar,