Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-08-08

| kings and queens of Spain are lying On
one particular morning | not only had a
heavy load of provisions for the fathers.
but nearly 1900 reals hidden in nv
bosom, which were to pay for masses for
a relative of mine. You must know that
the church of the Escurial has more than
800 relics, including the entire bodies of
eight or ten saints. twelve dozen whole
heads and three hundred legs and arms.
1t had until they were stolen bv the
French, one of the bars of the monster
gridiron upon which st. Lawrence was
burnt. and one of his feet with a piece of
coal sticking between his toes. You re-
member with what courage the holy saint
bore his marty rdom. and how he said TO
his executioner. Il am done on this side.
perhaps you had better turn me over. !"
whence comes the proverb we have in
Spain, cooked to a turn" But | am
wandering from my story.
As said. | was proceeding SLOWLY with
my donkey. not thinking of anything ex-
cept the bull fight had seen on the previ-
Gus Sunday, when | was suddenly sur
rounded by tierce-looking men. and in a
few minutes was hurried down a rocky
path into some dark woods Presently |
was pushed into a cavern. where a tall
dIt ulSHIueu lOOhIllS Hldu. tue CIl'tI uI
the robbers had been lying asleep. He
was awakened by our entrance. anu sm;l-
ed kindly at my poor little trembling
self, asking me my name. Car
men," replied through my chattering
teeth.
We'll, Carmencita. don be frightened.
and perhaps | will let you go home soon.
may tell you that it was the first time
| was ever addressed as "Carmencita' "
little Carmen just as | now call my
self. So can truly say that was chris
tened by a brigand.' y
Well, | sat down and watched the rob
bers making omlets of my fresh eggs and
crunching my crisp onions; and how
wished every mouthful would choke them? !?
After a while the chief glanced toward
where | was crOuchlng In a corner, and
calling me to him, made me drink a large
cup of wine, at the same time demanding
to know where | had the money for the
masses. was dumfounded.
"How do you know that have money!"
| asked
"Oh. know, little one. Let us count
the shining coins and see if there are
enough
He motioned to one of the women of his
band, and | was soon relieved of the treas
ure hidden in my bodice. limplored him
not to take it. and told him how sure
would be the vengeance of the holy saints
if he robbed them of their dues Like
most Spanards, the bandit was truly re-
ligious, and also noticed that my plead
ingS in the name of the church was hay
ing its effect on the other members of the
band Then somebody began playing a
mandolin. For a minute everybody listen
ed, and, whether it was the wine | had
drank or something else, began tapping
the ground with my feet and nodding in
time with the aria.
"Ah, you dance!" cried the leader
Now, come little ore and see if you can
earn back the mass money"
Silently followed the band to smooth
piece Of grassy ground just beyond the
cavern Round this the robbers squatted,
tailor-fashion. excepting two of them, who
stood on one side strumming their instru-
ments. | danced as | never had before,
and continued for nearly an hour, until |
had to stop from exhaustion. But, when |
had finished, the robber chief lifted me in
his arms and kissed me, while he handed
me back the purse containing the mass
money. Then he told one of his men to
bring out my donkey, and next he took off
his nat ana went around aD'Ong his hand,
saying: Now let us pay CarmencitI for
the good breakfast she brought us. |
heard the clink of money falling in his hat
and in few minutes he came to me and
poured in my hands a sum far larger than
| should have received from the priests for
my farm produce He then escorted me
to the gates of the Escurial, and before he
left he gave a small, curiously-bent piece
of iron.
This, said he, will save you from all
molestation in this portion of Spain if you
ever have the fortune to meet any more
gentlemen of my profession. -
| told my story to the fathers at the pal
ace and troop of dragons were sent in
pursuit of my friend whose name proved
to be Autazio. | am glad to say they did
not catch him. | always wear the piece
of iron he gave me. 1t has proved a mas
cot.