Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10

threshold when we visit aneigbbor's house
And now Nino Diablo, what news of the
Indians -
Nothing do knew and little do |
concern myself about specks on the hori-
zon,'' returned the visitor with a. light
laugh. And at once all the children
gathered around him, for the Nino they
considered to belong to them when he
came, and not to their elders with
their solemn talk about Indians war
| fare and lost horses. And now, now he
| would finish that wonderful story, long in
| the telling, of the little girl alone ana lost
In the great desert, and surrounded by all
| the wild animals met to discuss what they
would do with ker.
| In the midst of this performance supper
| was announced, and all gathered willingly
round dish of Magdalen's pies, filed
with minced meat, hard-boiled eggs, chop
ped small, raisins, and plenty of spice
| After the pies came roast beef and. finally,
great basins of mutton broth fragrant
| with herbs and cu1nmin-seed. The rage of
hunger satisfied, each one said prayer,
the elders nrrmuring with bowed heads,
the children on their knees uplifting shrill
voices. Then followed the concluding
semi-religious ceremony of the day, when
each child in turn asked blessing of
father. mother, grandmother, uncle, aunt
and not emitting the stranger within the
gates. even the Nino Diablo of evil-sound-
ing name.
| During this scene the Nino had been
carrying on whispered conversation with
the pretty Magdalen of his choice, deaf to
| the bitter remarks of Ascension concern
ing some people, who, having no homes
of their own, were fond of coming unin-
vited into other peoples houses, only to
repay the hospitality extended to them by
stealing their silly daughters affections,
| and teaching their children to rebel against
their authority.
Presently Polycarp, bending towards his
cousin, whispered earnestly: who is this
young stranger. Gregory"
"In what corner of the earth have you
been hiding to ask who the Nino Diablo
is?'' returned the other.
Must | know the history of every cat
and dog?"
THE Nino is not cat nor dog, cousin,
| but man among men, like falcon among
birds When a child of six the Indians
killed all his relations and carried him
into captivity. After five years he escaped
out of their hands, and, guided by the
sun and stars and signs on the earth, he
found his way back to the Christians
country, bringing many beautiful horses
stolen from the captors; also the name of
Nino Diablo first given to him by the in
fdel. We know him by no other
| This is a good story; it pleases me
nightly" said Polycmp. and what
more, cousin Gregory?'
More than | can tell, cousin. Where
he comes the dogs bark not-who knows
why? His tread is softer than the cat s;
the untamed horse is tame for him. Always
In the midst of dangers, yet no harm, no
scratch. Why? Because he stoops like
the falcon, makes his stroke and is gone
heaven knows wherer'
Wonderful! And what more, cousin
Gregory"
He often goes into the Indian country,
and lives freely with the infdel, disguised,
their captive. They speak of the Nino
catch that thief they will fay him alive.
leaves them, taking their finest ponchos
and silver ornaments, and the flower of
their horses.
"a brave youth, Gregory Before we
part | shall embrace him and offer him
my friendship which is worth something.
More, tell me more, cousin Gregory"
| ''These things | tell you to put you
on your guard; look well to your horses,
| cousin
lightning and pestilence, what is this
you say to me, Gregory Gerostiaga!'
shouted Polycarp, violently slapping his
| thigh and thrusting his hat farther back
on his head.
'Prudence!' whispered Gregory "Say
nothing to offend the Nino; he never for
gives an enemy-with horses.
Talk not to me of prudence!" bawled
the other. "You hit me on the apple OF
the eye and counsel me not to cry cut
What! have not /, whom men call Poly
carp of the South, wrestled with tigers in
the desert, and must hold my peace be.
cause of boy-even boy devil? Talk
of what you like, cousin, and | am meek
man-meek as sucking baby; but touch
not ON my horses. foe there am whirl.
wind of confagration, river flooded in
winter and all wrath and destruction like
an Invasion of Indians! Who can stand
before me? Ribs of steel are no protec-
ton! Look at my knife; do you ask why
there are stains on the blade? Listen; be-
cause it has gone straight to the robber'
hearth And with that he drew out his
great knife and fourished it wildly, and
made stabs and slashes at an imaginary
foe suspended above the fire.
Just after this sanguinary protest, which
he had listened to with perfect equanimity
the Nino all at once made a gesture as il
to impose silence, and turned his face
towards the door, his nostrils dilating, and
his eyes appearing to grow large and
luminous like those of cat.
What do you hear, Nino?" asked
Gregory.
''9Tis only single horseman riding
this way at fast gallop," he answered
For full five minutes more all listened
then sounds Of approaching hoofs became
audible, and Gregory rose and went forth
to receive the late night wanderer. Soon
he appeared, white-faced, wild-haired
man, furiously squirting his horse like a
person demented or flying from robbers.
Ave Maria!" he shouted alond; and
when the answer was given in suitable
pious words, the scared-looking stranger
drew near, and bending down said: ''Tel
me, good friend, is one whom men cal
Nino Diablo with you; for to this house
| have been directed in my search TO,
him?''
He is within, friend" answered Greg
DRY.
The stranger followed his host into the
kitchen, made his salutation, and sat down
bv the fire. He was about thirty years
old, a good-looking man, but his face was
haggard, his eyes bloodshot, his manner
restless. and he appeared like one half
crazed bv some oraat calamity. The hos