Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-04-10
LA PASCUA.
by RALPH GRAHAM TABER.

BY RALPH GRAHAM TABER.
"The black bull is of the Sensunte-
pee breed; his like has never been seen
here before-so tall, so glossy, so wide
of horn, so strong of shoulder and lean
OF flank! You should have seen the fire
iu his eyes as they drove him into the
patio! And there is something more,
scnores," the speaker leaned forward
and held mis- brown finger upon his
thick lips mysteriously; lit is a secret
known but to tie few"
"Thcn il is scarcely,a secret" the
younger of his two auditors replied. A
faint smile lowered uncertainty about
the corners of his mouth, and he toyed
idly with the glass before him.
What is this wonderful secret?
asked the other 'expelling cloud Of
smoke from his lungs.
1T is said there will be new mata-
dor"
"Pouf! that is not news, Don Pedro
these matadores--they come and go,
like the bulls they Stay; it is only a
question of time with them. Sooner or
later drink too much makes the nerves
falter, and then-then the knife hits
half an inch too low, or it fails to strike
the right moment, and a new matador
is needed! The other"
But this interrupted the landlord
this is news, senores; for the mata-
dor has never even faced a bull, NOT as
Danderillero nor capeador---"
"Carambal What is the name OF this
fool?" The question was asked in a
tone of contempt, and the tall youth
looked up with an inpatient frown.
The landlord shrugged his Shout
ders Il do not know the name, but he
comes from the upper country
Then we will drink to the excellent
Eull. Come, friends; shall it be aguar-
diente?'
IL thank you," the youth replied,
courteously, but not for me, senior;
do not drink it," Rising from his seat,
he wished them good day and de-
parted.
What is our young friend who will
not drink?" asked the guest, as he
tasted his glass of strong spirits.
"a passer, who came but this morn
ing. He gave his name rs Antonio. ]
know no more about him.
As Antonio reached the street, he
heard the tones of distant marimha
heating out the national air. Following
q tortuous walk, that was hedged on
either side by banks of blood-red
roses, he slowly crossed the broad
square in front of the low adobe inn. lie
selected bud, trimmed the thorns with
his knife, and thrust the stem beneath
the band of his wide sombrero.
Reaching the street on the opposite
side, he found himself before the ca
thedral, whose pretentious entrance
faced the flower-covered square. 4
iudely-coryed stone high up on its vel
low adobe wall proclaimed that the
first foundation stone had been laid l2O
gears beforehand the structure was act
yet finished. The stucco decorations
within its high arch had fallen away in
places, and spots of green mold Ching
+ to the plaster casts of the saints.
Showing irregalarity here and there
we're small punctures-s Of them
filled with moss-from which lad balls
might be dug with knife, the memen-
toes of revolutions; and crown.ng the
srch stood n statue of the Virgin, COR
lowfally viewing her empty arms from
which the Babes image had fallen.
Antonio carelessly noted all this, but
his thoughts We're of the solemn high
mass, that was soon to be celebrated
and of the gayly -dressed throng that
would fill the church and overflow the
plaza, when the grand professional
should draw near. For il was the feas,
of La Pascua and the browning day OF
the holy week-the day that common,
Grated the birth of the infant Saviour
The air was tremulous with musical
sounds, and the people began to con
gregate. The marimba notes swelled
louder and louder, the tramp of null
titude echoed along the rough pave.
ments and the head of the procession
turned into the square. AS it ap
preached, Antonio dotted his hat re
spectfully, and he knelt when the
ROBBED priests passed, with the shining
Saniisimo held on high, surrounded
~ swinging censors. The smoke OF
the incense filed the street with its
subtle perfume, and served to throw an
additional charm about the chariot that
followed. This was float drawn by
awo-score of young girls clad in pure
white garments, with thin yelling
pinned to their soft, black hair and fall
Jug back OVER their shoulders. The