Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-13

HaET<XsvS terest when one believes
sh that he is not treading
:; !: :: Z:
N1NnN xHENa ground already gone
EIlTMN ~ over. So it is that such
ESHH,llkN expressions as by
IN paths" "out-of-the-
~ way places" &C., are
Rkw%M used by those writing
w VIZ Of foreign scenes SO
conveniently. Even
those who know moth
Ing OF particular part Of the world, who can
not even point its location on the map, tell
| whether the inhabitants live in palaces or huts,
or whether there are inhabitants at ALL have
their imagination excited by what is strange,
weird and incomprehensible, caring nothing
Tor the more commonplace facts which could
be found in the encyclopaedia. II some one
had talked to me Of the history Of Nicaragua,
her laws, resources and people l should doubt
less have felt and expressed some interest,
nave made notes that might with accuracy
repeat what had heard. but would probably
have had no difficulty in fixing my mind on
the next object that came along and should
not have tossed in my sleep with a brain act
I'VE with phantasies born of the ideas I
mad received. Yet so incomprehensible were
the hints 1 had gained respecting
what Haskins called .'the old fraud
and wizard, that more than once before Morn
| ing l saw that miserable being before me,
| awakening with n start and relieved to find
myself alone Once saw him in the perfection
OF manhood-one could imagine no handsomer
creature-while la Bcllisima' had assumed
| the distortions of her spouse, and wondered
and wondered how it was possible that could
SO readily recognize them, so different and yet
possessing their old personality. This my last
| Illusion in sleep that night was dispelled by a
clashlng and changing Of bells. for the sum-
mons to early mass is not here made by the
regular dlng- dong we are accustomed to hear
| at home, but is executed by a bell man. who
swings the clapper from side to side his skill
counted by his rapidity, and consequently the
result Is clamor stirring enough to wake the
dead. The sun was just looking in the iron
bars OF the little window-like opening that is
In each door Of every Central American house
In lieu OF windows Of the regular kind, and
arose.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE WIZARD.
For several days my mind had been intent on
securing An interview with the wizard" as
well as an opportunity to examine his studio
and methods, but all whom consulted were
uniform In their advice and said that should
walt for chance acquaintance with him. for a
forced introduction would probably only an
noy and cause him to be less communicative
So hundred his within and waited. My final
success was as unlocked for as my failure had
been disappointing.
Again had taken an after-dinner pasear,
this time in company with Haskins: watched
the sunset and as tho dusk was deepening we
Strolled toward the hotel. Suddenly became
awar" as we passed under a street lamp that
Don Ezequiel was before US
''Adios, the universal salutation among
strangers and friends here. was exchanged be-
tween u.s. How we became engaged in CONVEX
sation while standing there cannot say, but it
seemed that we had long known one another,
a m mr. Ia hat, 10 "a,
ourselves but few minutes after we had first
exchanged greeting talking without reserve
You have been here for several weeks" he
said, speaking to himself rather than giving his
words the infection OF query.
"How could he know the length Of my stay
here?' asked myself, for was not aware
that he had ever noticed me. As by common
consent We walked on side by side and, upon
reaching his home, he invited us within. The
house differed in no way in outside appearance
from others Of the better class of residences
IL was but one story in height, as are nearly all
the habitations of Nicaragua, built of adobe
and wlndowless, II we except the small OPEN
lngs In the great doors of cedar. But the inte-
rior presented a marked contrast with any thing
had seen in this country. The furnishing of
the abode was OF unusual richness. Silken
curtains tastefully draped each doorway and
the upholstery was in the latest styles and
showed as much taste as luxury. Everything
III the room blended harmoniously; the pict-
ures, the frescoing and all decorations seemed
intended for combined effect.
La BELLIsIMA AND HER SISTER
Waving US to seats our host left US for q mo-
ment and returned with her whom l only knew
as la Bellisima.' Attired elegantly, but in
simple taste. thought had never before seen
q creature more beautiful, but when she smoke
her grace, tact and gifts of mind every mo-
ment became moro and more apparent Every
thing she said seemed inspired and never failed
to suggest more than the mere words indicated
Hashins, as could see, was quite as contented
with his surroundings as myself. We felt no
need of any entertainment more agreeable
than that accorded us. Bat the fair hostess
seemed to think otherwise. She asked il we
cared for music, and upon receiving an affirma-
tive reply said she would introduce her sister,
who would play some simple airs, though she
seldom performed before strangers. In a mo-
ment she returned, accompanied by girl who
had just reached womanLood and whose coun-
terpart the elder must have been but a few
years previously. There was no embarrass-
ment In her bearing, her seclusion from the
world having gained for her a manner lacking
restraint rather than possessed of self-con-
sciousness which is usually its result. We met
for the first time apparently as old friends. l
had never imagined anything could move
Haskins as did the appearance of this young
girl. whom he had never referred to in his talks
with me, and of whom, as I afterward learned
he had never heard.
When a violin was placed in the hands of the
young musician she played in succession sew
eral Of those soft Spanish airs that seem born Of
intense feeling suppressed An hour passed;
she sang, played and Joined in our talk Though
evidently slightly embarrassed Haskins had
exchanged many remarks with her and, being
something OF an amateur musician himself had
easily interested her by suggestions in regard
to her violin practice and had even illustrated
his ideas by handling the instrument himself
l readily saw that the meeting between them
was of o kind not to be forgotten at once by
either of the two, and this knowledge caused
me uneasiness. though l had 80 engaged the
attention Of Don Ezequiel that he apparently
had seen little Of the couple. Presently our
host said:
'You may know that aim to be an artist"
this with such modesty that indicated TO me
the power OF the master. Perhaps you would
like to see my studio"
VISIT TO THE STUDIO.
We readily expressed an interest in doing 30.
for that indeed had been the chief object of our
visit,
"You must not be offended" he continued.
addressing himself to Haskius," at what shall
show you, for it is rather personal to yourself
felt interested in working out your character
when / first saw you and have 30 occupied INV
leisure hours When you first visited my house
some months ago, should have shown You
what will now let you see, but then Won
seemed to be too greatly occupied to make q
v,o fnS han N favv