Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-29
SHE DANCED FOR THE eRlcANos.
An Exciting Experience In the Life Q,
CarmencltM.

lore Il Danu or briSanus, and had no |
idea what my salary was to be-. ethe, |
writes tarmencta to hdte Fieids |
Washington. When / was Is | was
living with my aunt and uncle. who had |
produce farm not very far from !
Madrid and equally near to the palace
of the E>cural. The stretch of couu.
try between the capital and the wonder
full palace OF Philip III. was at that time
infested with banditt who occasional
~ made a raid on the peasants for pro.
visions. | was in the habit of loading
donkey with fresh eggs aud vcge,-
ablcS for the priests who have charge
OF the church which is above the vaults
where the dead Kings and Queens of
Spain are lying. On one particular
morning not only had a heavy load
of provisions for the fathers. bu, near.
~ 1000 reals beside hidden in my
bosom, which were to pay for masses
for a relative of mine. lou must know
that the Church oi the E>curial has
more than 100 relies. including the
entire bodies Of eight or ten saints.
twelve dozen whole heads, and 300 legs
and arms. 1t had. until they were
stolen by the French, one of the bars
of the monstrous gridron upon which
St. Lawrence was burnt, and one of
his feet with piece of coal sticking
between his toes. You remember with
what courage the holy saint bore his
martyrdom. and how he said to his
eXecutioners: Il am done on this
side, perhaps You had better turn me
over. whence comes the proverb we
I have in Spain. Cooked to II turn
But am wandering from my stoIy.
As said, J. was proceeding slowly
with my donkey. not thinking of any
thing except the bull fight | had seen
the previous Sunday when | was sud-
denly surrounded by iicrce-looking
men, and in Il few minutes was hur-
ried down rocky path into some dark
woods. Presently was pushed into
cavern. where Il tall and dignitied look.
ing man the chief of the robbers. had
been lying asleep. He was awakened
by our entrance, and smiled kindly at
my poor little trembling self. asking
me my name. "Carmcn.' | replied
through my chattcrng tcctn.
"Well. Carmencita, don't he fright
ened and perhaps l will let you 90
! home soon"
may tell YOU that it was the first
| tliIic w dN ever othltSs'u AS Var
mencita' little Carmcn"--iust as |
now call myself. SO | can truly say
that | was christcned by a brioaud.
Well. | sat down and watched the
robbers making omele,s of my fresh
eggs and crunching my crisp onions.
and how wished every mouthiul would
choke them! After awhile the chief
glanced toward where was crouc.,ing
in 4 corner, and calling me to him made
me drink II large cup of wine, at the
same time demanding to know where
had the money for the masses. l was
Gumbiounlcd.
'How do YOU know that I have
money! | asked.
30. | know. little one. Let us count
the shining coins and sec il there are
enough"
He motioned to one of the women of
his band, and was soon relieved OF
the treasure hidden in nv bodice.
implorcd 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 Spaniards. The
bandit was truly religious, and l also
noticed that my pleading in the name
, OF the Church was having its effect on
the other members of the band. Then
somebody began playing II mandolin.
: For \ few minutes everybody listened.
and whether it was the wine had
drank or something else. began tap
; pin. the ground with my feet and nod
ding in time with the aria
"Ah. you dancer cried the chief
"Now. come, little one--sce if yol
cannot earn back yo,M mass money"
Silently followed the band to 1
smooth piece of grassy ground just be
yond the cavern. Round this the rob
bers squatted. tailorlashion, except
ing two of them, who stood on one side
drumming their instruments. Idanceo
; US l never had before, aud continued
for nearly an hour, until had to stol
from exhaustion. But. when l hat
finished. the robber chief lifted me il
his arms and kissed me. while he hand
ed me back the purse containing tn,
mass money. Then he told one of hi
men to bring out my donkey. and mex
he took off his hat and went aroun,
among his band. saying: Now lie, u.
pay Carmencita for the good breakfas
she brought us" heard the clink o
money falling in his hat. and in few
minutes lie came to me and poured il
my hands u sum far larger than
should have received from tho priest
for my farm produce. He then escort
ed me to the gates of the Escurial. an'
before no left he gave me 8 small. curl
ously-bent piece Of iron.
This" said he. twill save you from
all molestation in this portion of Spai
: II you ever have the fortune to NEE
any more gentlemen Of my, profession.
told my story to the fathers at tn
. palace and a troop Of dragons wer
: sent in pursuit of my friend. who's
name proved to be Antazio. l am gla
to say they did not catch him. Away
. wear the piece Of iron he gave me. l
has nrnvpd n mascot