Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-06-14
FEDERICO'S CRYPT.

nome OF Iut AllIdAlOultA. Ont Huuufcu
years ago the valley, now dry and barren,
was watered by streams flowing, through
acqueducts, clear and cool from the noun
tains, and great herds Of cattle and nocks
of sheep grazed on the lucious herbage
Where still stands some scraggy olive trees
once grew thrifty orchard, but not even
fallen trunk remains Of the noble grove
Of live oaks in whose shade Don Federico
Miramonte, the first owner Of this vast
estate, built the little chapel whose crum-
bling adobe walls sank into shapeless
mounds of earth ,Jng ago.
At little di auce from the great house
lived the laborers and servants, in primi-
tive dwellings made of tules reeds
brought from the marshes. The dimen-
sions Of Don Federico's estate were defined
by an impregnable boundary Inca hedge
of prickly cacti, planted to prevent the
invasious of hostile Indians from the
mountains. In some places the cacti have
grown to enormous height, Furnishing in
the midst Of drought and desolatiOn, while
the people they were planted TO protect
and the Indians who were their foes have
vanished from the earth.
One morning in October, 1891, two young
men rode toward the old adobe aud stopped
to rest in its shadow. One--dark browed
and sallow skinned, with eyes like black
beads-was Arturo Miramonte, Don Fed
erico's only living descendant The other
was young architect from New England
named Severson. Evidently the scene was
new TO him, for, while the Spaniard sat his
horse and smoked his cigarettes in moody
silence, looking neither to right nor left,
the New Englander's eager eyes took in
every detail Of their surroundings. Twice
he was about to speak, but the sight Of his
friends melancholy countenance kept him
silent; he knew Miramonte well enough TO
understand that he did not wish TO be dis
turbed.
"Ayew said the Spaniard at last. "Val-
game Diosl 1t is "A dreary scenel You see,
my friend, all that rcmains" He spoke
slowly, choosing his words with care. Ar
turo Miramonte detested the English Ian
guage. you can form no idea Of the
Rrandness that once was here An avenue
Of palms led up 70 the house (they were cut
down by the Americans), and the placita-
the court there, senior, where you Bee the
ruins OF fountan-was planted with flow
ers and tropical trees. Don Federico's
servants made a village Of themselves At
night, they say, when the moon shone, he
would sit with his young wife under the
arched porch yonder and watch the people
dancing TO the music Of guitars and cas-
tanets But his wife ran away with an
Englishman, and Don Federico became
suddenly an old man, and 50 morose that
all his people feared him. You have heard
the story"
mo" answered Severson Let's 20 in
side while you tell it,"
'My great-grandfather's wife was very
beautiful" continued Miramonte as they
walked across the neglected court, mot
beautiful like our Spanish women, but
with shining red hair and white skin and
soft brown eyes. He brought her with
him when be came TO this country and no
one knows the land OF her nativity. He
built this house for her and filled it with
beautiful thsgs-carpetsf from Persia Don
Federico had been great trayeler) and
pictures and curtains and furniture from
everywhere He worshiped her instead Of
the Virgin. There was nothing he would
not do for her. They were famous for their
DISQUALIFICATION have heard Of the hospi-
tality Of the Observation-Disclosures trav.
elers never asked shelter there in vain.
"But one day Don Federico found his
wife in the arms Of an Englishman, who
was their guest. Why he did not kill
them both / do not understand. The
servant heard her screams and prayers for
mercy That night the faithless woman
disappeared with her lover, and Don
Federico made no search for them. He
forbade the mention Of her name. He be
came a recluse, a cynic, a miser, and for
thirty years he lived alone, ruling his peo-
ple like a king, boarding his money and
growing richer every year. And then, az
suddenly a. be had retired from the world
he entered it again II was his purpose ID
marry, TO provide heirs TO his wealth.
''But-the wifef" interrupted Severson.
Miramonte rolled another cigarette
"She disappeared with her lover" he re
peated. "the night after her perfidy wa
discovered and the We" never heard o.
again. Don Federico made no effort &
find them He wished 70 forget her. III
spoke Of her but once. When lac asked my
9reat-grandmothcr's hand In marriage h
told her that be had learned from an au
thentic source that his frlt wife was dead
Fatel He could have chosen any maidei
I'm this country, for his wealth was great
and my great grandmOther was regarded
as the most fortunate Of women. She, too
came Of pure Castllian blood, senor," ant
Miramonte looked up, with a gesture 0
pride. ut Is good that the other wife Dor
no children. The Miramontes are wirhou
faint Vaya, you care little for the bloc
you Americanos-es ASH
but, once welded, Don Federico agaii
withdrew from the world. A sad life sh
led-ny eat-grandmother. She bore hin
sons and daughters, and they all feare'
him more than they feared God or tn
devil. Heseemed 70 care only TO get none
to hoard II and hide It away. To thi
day people believe that there is money hid
den in these ruins. You are amused, senior
You laughW
Every ruin is said TO conceal treasure
Won know. said Seyerson specifically.
"vayar" replied the Slaniard, with az
parent Indifference. "I3elieve IL or not, a
you will; but searches have been made an
money has been found-no matterl Do
Federico lived 10 be ninety years old, an
his wife was his slave, and his childre
-. sf.aid a.. .r.onL nlnrId In his nrlaencf