Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-08
muslin and put into pots OF vegetables, while
cooking, will prevent odors
EILIcE SERENA.
cARMENc1rA,s FIRST DANCE. 3sHs
II Was for Brignnds Who Captured Her
aud Her Skill Set Her Free.

II Was for Brignnds Who Captured Her
aud Her Skill Set Her Free.
MY first dancing for money was before a
band of brigands, and had no idea what
salary was to be, either, writes Carmencita
to Kate Fields Washington. When was
Is was living with my aunt and uncle,
who had produce farm not very lar from
Madrid, and equally near to the palace oil
the Escurial. The stretch OF country be-
tween the capital and the wonderful palace
of Phillip II. was at that time lnfasted with
banditti. L was in the habit OF loading a
donkey with fresh eggs and yegetaoies Ior
the priests who have charge OF the churcn
which is above the vaults wnere the dead
Kings and Queens of Spain are lying.
On one particular morning l was proceed
ing slowly with my donkey, wnen was
suddenly surrounded by terce-looklng men,
and in a few minutes was nurrieo uo"n q
rocky path into some dark WOODS. fresent,
ly was pushed into a cavern. where a tall
and digniied looking man, the chief of the
robbers, had been lying asleep. He was
awakened BY our entrance, and smiled
kindly at nv poor little trembling sell,
asking me nv name. Carmen" replied
through my chattering teeth.
"Well. Carmencita, don't be frightened,
and perhaps I will let you 60 home soon.
may tell you that it was the first time l
was ever addressed as "Carmencita little
Carmen"-iust as 1 now call myself. So l
can truly say that was christened by a
brigand.
Well, sat down and watched the rob-
bers making omelets OF my fresh eggs and
crunching my crisp onions; and how l
wished every mouthful would choke them
After awhile the chief glanced toward
where was crouching in corner, and,
calling me to him, made me drink large
cup of wine, at the same time demanding to
know where had the money for the masses
was soon relieved ofthe treasure hidden in
my bodice. implored him not to take it,
and told him how sure would be the ven-
yeance of the holy saints if he robbed them
of their dues. Like most Spaniards, the ban
dit was truly religious. Then somebody be-
gan playing a mandolin. Whether it was
the wine I had drank or something else,
began tapping the ground with my feet and
nodding in time with the air.
"Ah, you dance r. cried the chief. "Now.
come, little one-see it you cannot earn back
your mass money"
Silently l followed the band to a smooth
piece OF grassy ground just beyond the cav
ern. Round this the robbers squatted, tailor
fashion, except two OF them, who stood on
one side strumming their instruments. 1
danced as l never had before, and contin-
ued 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 rue 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 hat and went around
among his band saying: Now let us pay
Carmencita for the good breakfast she
brought u.s."
Il heard the clink of money falling in his
hat, and in ew minutes he came to me
and poured in my hands sum far larger
than should have received rom the priests
Tor my farm produce. He then escorted me
to the gates of the Escurial, and before be
left be gave me small, curiOusly-bent piece
of iron.
'This," said he, twill save you from all
molestations in this portion of Spain if you
ever have the fortune to meet any more gen.
tlemen OF my PROCESSION"