Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-07-11
CHAPTER VI.

| ANDRES De FONSECA-
Many travellers have told of the glories
Of Seville, to which ancient Moorish city
journeyed with all speed. Foreseeing that
it might be necessary for me to stop some
time in Seville and being desirous to es-
cape notice and to be at the smallest ex-
pcnso possible, I bethought me that 1t
would be well if I could find means Of con-
tinuing my studies of medicine, and to
this end obtained certain introductions
from the firm Of merchants to whose care
had been recommended addressed to doc
tors of medicine in Seville. These letters
ut my request werc mado out not in my
own namc, but in that of Diego ALA,
| for I did not wish it to be known that
was an Englishman. Nor indeed was this
likely, except my speech should betray me,
for, as I have said, in appearance was
very Spanish, and tho hindrance Of The
language was ono that lcGsencd nvcry day,
since having already" learned it from my
mother and taking every opportunity to
read and speak it, within six months
could talk Castilian, except for some slight
accent, like q native IF the land; also
have gift for tho acquiring Of languages.
When was come to Seville and had
placed my baggage in an inn, not one of
the most frequcntcd, SET out to deliver
| letter of recommendation to famous ply
sician of the town whose name have long
| forgotten. This physician had O fine house
| in the street Of Las PalYnas, a great ave-
nue, planted with graceful trees, that has
other little streets running into it. Down
ono Of these came from my inn, quiet,
narrow place having houses with patios,
or courtyards, on either side Of it. AS
walked down this street noticed man
| sitting in tho shade on stool in tho door
way of his patio. He was small and with
cred. with keen black ey,ss and q wonder
! full Dir of wisdom, and ho watched mo as
1 went by.
Now, the house Of the famous physician
whom I sought was so placed that the man
sitting ut this doorway could command 1t
with his eyes and take note Of all who
went in and came out When I had found
the house, I returned again into the quiet
street and walked to and fro there for
awhile, thinking of what tale I should tell
to the physician, and all the time the lit
tie man watched me with his keen eyes.
At last had made up my story and went
to the house, only to find that the ply
sician was from homo. Having inquired
when I might find him, left and once
more took to the narrow street, walking
| slowly till camc to where the little man
sat. AS passed him his broad hat, with
which he was tanning himself, slipped to
tho ground before my feet I stopped
down, lifted it from the pavement and re-
stored it to him.
"a thousand thanks, young SIR" he
said in full and gentle voice "You arc
courteous for foreigner"
'How do you know mo to be foreigner,
senor?" asked, surprised out of my cau-
ton.
eff I had not guessed it before, should
know it now," he answered, smiling
eravely. "Your Castilian tells its own
tale"
I bowed md was about to pass on when
he addressed INC again.
"What is your hurry, young sir? Step
In md take cup of wine with mo. 1t Is
good.
was about to say him nay when 1t
came into my mind that had nothing to
do, and that perhaps might learn somo-
thing from his gossip.
'Thc day is hot, scnor, and I accept"
He spoke no more, but rising led nc
into courtyard paved with marble, in the
center of which was basin of water, hnv
ing vines trained around it. Hero were
chairs and u little table placed in tho shade
of the vines. When he had closed the door
of the patio and we were seated, he rang
silver bell that stood upon the table, und
q girl, young and fair, appeared from the
hous,', dressed III quaint Spanish dress.
bring wine, !" said my host.
The wine was brought--whito wine of
Oporto such ns had never tasted before
"Your health. scnur." And my host
stopped his glass In hand, and looked Mt
mo inquiringly.
"Dicgo d Aila," answered.
"IIumph, " he said. ~ Spanish name,
or perhaps an imitation Spanish name, for
do not know II. ind l have good head
for names.
"Ihat is my name, to take or to leave,
scnor," and looked ut him in turn.
Andres dc Fonscca, he replied, bow
ing, "a physician OF this city, well known
enough, especially among tho fair. Well,
ScnOr Diego, l take YOUR name for names
arc nothing, and at times it Is convcnicnt
to change thcm, which is nobody's busi-
RE coNT1:JuEn.l