The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-12
-rHe SPANISH SOLDIER NUM-"


EemarkabIe Career Of . Woman Who Die.
guised Herself as y Man.
A famous heroine In her day was Cata-
lina de Erauso, still remembered vaguely
as ''the Spanish soldier num-" She left
memoirs, which have been translated or
summarized or ''romanciliod" in most Eu-
ropenT tongues. Catalina, we are told,
ran away froE, nunnery in San Sebas-
tian at the age Of is, transformed her con-
ventional .hsblimepts into .doublet and
hose aud found employment as page in
the household of noble mt Valladolid
Driven from this refuge by the appearance
of her father, who had nc suspicion, new
crtheless, she joined an expedition sailing
TO Peru under charge OF Ferdinand dc
Cordova Her ship was wrecked of Pa
eta, and she alone refused to desert tho
captain. who stood by his vessel.
Catalina then built little raft broke
open the treasure chest, took rs much gold
us she could carry and then set of for
the shore. but the captain was drowned
embarking She reached the town and nc.
cepted an engagement rs manager To the
tailor who made her new clothes. Com
plications OF business and passion--for
great lady fell in love with her at first sight
LED to first duel, in which she killed
her man promptly. The great lady snug
gled her out of prison, but Catalina found
it necessary To repay this service by push
ing the dame down stairs, probably break
Ing her neck. Then she jumped into a
boat, put to the sen and was picked up by
Spanish vessel bound for Copenhagen.
At this place her brother was secretary
to the governor, and he, all unconscious
of the relationship, got her a commission
in the army. Very soon afterward she dis
tinguished herself in an engagement, and
for l2 years ranked as one of the most bril-
liant officers of the Spanish service, living
mostly with her brother, but keeping the
secret This happy time came TO an end
In midnight duel, when she killed a man
unknown, who proved TO be this same
brother Flying for life once more, Cata-
lima crossed the Andes.
All her companions perished, but she
reached Tucuman after terrible adven-
lures. Another love affair, all on one side.
and another fatal duel brought her liter
ally to the gallows, but with tho rope
around her neck she escaped. Travelling
on to Cuzco, she joined an alcalde with
pretty wife and gentleman, his friend.
In very few days Catalina perceived that
these two had an understanding. The al
calde perceived il also and took an oppor-
tunity to murder his faithless friend. He
would have murdered his wife, but Cata-
lima snatched her 20 the saddle and rode
furiously for Cuzco. The alcalde pursr-
ing, she ran him through, but received
desperate wound. The fugitives got safe
ly TO the bishops palace. Catalina knew,
however, that her secret must lie discov-
cred now. She had just strength enough
to reveal it to the bishop before fairting.
The worthy man reported the whole story
to the king, who sent orders that Catalina
should be dispatched by the next ship.
All Spain declared for the heroine. At her
arrival Count Olivarez himself, the prime
minister, met her.. The king kissed her,
the pope sent for and forgave her. ard
Velasquez painted her portrait.--London
Standard