The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-23
6PAIN's SOLDIER NUN.
Disguised ~ o Man. sho Made Gallant or.
Acer and Fought Duels.

Moor anu r ouKht Dueis'
A very famous heroine In her day was
Catalina de Erauso, still remembered
vaguely A. the Spanish soldier nun" She
| left memoirs which have been translated or
summarized or "romancihed" in most Eu-
| ropean tongues. The truth OF them has
been disputed; but, upon the other hand,
| popes and kings, mobiles and savants ac-
cepted every word, while evidence remained
| to support or question the statements
| Catalina, we are told, ran away from q
| nunnery In San sebastian at the age OF 10,
| transformed her conventual habiliments
| into doublet and hose and found employ
ment as page In the household Of noble
| at Valladolid. Driven from this refuge by
| the appearance OF her father, who had no
suspicion nevertheless, she Joined an expe-
dition sailing to Peru under charge OF Fer
dinand de Cordova. Her ship was wrecked
Of Paita and she alone refused to desert
the captain, who stood by his vessel. Cat
alma then bulls little raft, broke open
the treasure chest, took as much gold as
she could carry and set off for the shore,
but the captain was drowned in embark
ing. She reached the town and accepted
an engagement as manager to the tailor
who made her new clothes Complications
Of business ana passion-for n great lady
fell In love at nght--led to r. first duel in
which she killed her man promptly. The
great lady struggled her out Of prison, but
Catalina found II necessary 20 repay this
service by pushing the dame down stairs,
probably breaking her neck. Then she
Jumped into a boat, put TO sea and was
picked up by a Spanish vessel bound for
Conception.
At this place her brother was secretary
to the governor, and he, all unconscious of
the relationship, got her commission in
the army. Very soon afterward she dis
tingnished herself in an engagement, and
for 10 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 the same
brother. Flying for lihe once more, Cata-
lima crossed the Andes All her compan-
ions persisted, but she reached Tucuman
after terrible adventures.
Another love affair, all on one side, and
another fatal duel brought her literally to
the gallows, but with the rope around her
neck she escaped. Travelling on to Cuzco
she Joined an alcalde with a pretty wife
and gentleman, his friend. In a very few
days Catalina perceived that these two had
an understanding The alcalde perceived
it also and took an opportunity to murder
his faithless friend. He would have MUIR
dered his wife, but Catalina snatched her
to the saddle and rode furtously for Cuzco.
The alcalde pursuing, she ran him through
but received desperate wound The fugi-
tives got safely TO the bishops palace.
Catalina knew, however, that her secret
must be discovered now. She had just
strength enough TO reveal it to the bishop
before fainting That 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 hero
ine At her arrival Count Olivarez him
self, the prime minister, met her; the king
kissed her; the pope sent for and forgaye
her; Velasquez painted her portrait.-Lon-
don Standard.