St. Landry democrat., 1890-01-18
THE COBBLER OF CORDOVA.
BY JUNIUs L. HEMPsTEAD.

Beneath the convent-crowned hills OF
Cordova, within the shadow OF sanctity
the little cottage of Andreas, the cobbler,
peeped from the Iuxuriant vines That al
most concealed it.
His bench occupied the space to the
right of the entrance. All day long he
would sit and sing. only to mend soles be-
low, while the good padres mended souls
above In one case bit of thread and
wax repaired the damage in the other the
PRAYERS of the church restored the peni-
tent.
His empowered shop was on the road
that led to the stoRe bridge, While he
sat humming some pretty Spanish air he
would gaze with delight at the shifting
panorama that almost smothered him
in dust
Fine Andalusian mules ambled by with
double loads of gaily mounted Cordovans
melted steeds with their princely pedi-
grees and far famed beauty stepped daintily
along. as If the ground was too plebeian.
An aged drinking fountsin and water
trough stood directly opposite, where the
hidalgoes unceremoniously jostled with
poverty, wealth and industry, to exchange
greetings or pass stiffiy by.
With ever pleasant smile and friendly
salutation upon his lips, he never lost
sight of the fact that kind word was an
angel in disguise, to CLEAN from the clouded
fields of life every bright sheaf that had
been made up of stray blessings, scattered
over the harvest track of human reapers
The cobbler's seats were comfortable,
the dense shade and GOODNESS inviting.
While his nimble fingers deftly placed the
well waxed stitches, his tongue was not
idle. Many choice moroccan of gossip
found it's way to the noisy retreat, to nm
dergo sort of fermentation, which created
thousand little tongues that would again
produce thousand more.
Old Andreas was not exempt from fail
ing that is as old as the human race. Sc
cret skeletons were remorselessly dragged
to light to be served as kind of side dish
with tongue sauce accompaniment. Even
the good Queen Isabella did not escape
for it was said that her laundry bills were
not as much as they should be, without
giving her credit for the vows she had
made to Our Lady.
A small circle sat idly watching the busy
fingers and listening TO the no less busy
tongue, as it retailed the gossip that WIS
focused like the suns rays, to burn the
ears of those who were passing under the
merciless lash.
In addition to the repairing that was al
ways neatly AID promptly done, he retailed
wine of his own vintage. The thrifty
earnings were husbanded with care. 1t
was little to him who drank or how quickly
the brains were emptied of the wit that
the wine always spilled.
Bona Bonal Some wine for the gen
tlemen.'
A sweet echo Of his voice foated through
the half open door:
Yes, in one moment"
Several moments elapsed, when the door
opened wide. All arose to their feet, and
Ii was astonishing how quickly the sus-
In the wars of Venus Strengthened with
wonderful suppleness. as they removed
their sombreroes, while they slipped the
wine and drank to the brightest eyes in
Spain, not forgetting, Of course, to place
upon the waiter the price of each glass.
The vision of loneliness disappeared,
only to be recalled as the glasses were
enptied. There was q sweet innocence
that surrounded Bona perhaps her proud
little heart was the mentor to make her
manner reserved It was not every youth
that was favored with SMILE though
many q jealous lover nervously toyed with
the handle of his bright bladed stiletto, as
he shot beams of hate from jet black eyes,
upon some more fortunate rival.
She went singing along through the
world, with youths golden dreams build
ing fanciful air castles, that would tumble
with their own weight, only to become the
foundations for more splendid structures.
The chaste goddess Of night smiled upon
the warm earth, to make the ruined city
of Cordova wonderful picture Of beauty
In the shadow Of the vine covered piazza,
OF which we have been speaking. the sweet
notes Of guitar. mingled with the dancing
shadows Of eve, as they peeped upon
Alefeo, who plead through the divinity OF
music for little place in her heart.
e He sighed, and glanced downwards.
while he softly played exquisite minor
chords, that swept tremblingly from his
mastery touch.
Bona, you are cruel, or have no heart,
for have been signing my very soul
away IN songs, that must speak to you OF
nv love but peste, you only smile one Of
Jour happy smiles that you give SD freely
10 all. They gfe bright as the sun, but
like it, only 10 bless the earth. 2
tAlefeo, why should you speak Of lover
zen have nothing but the magnificent ruins
of castle, and 40 iIlustrious name, suppose
Moorish blood does course through your