Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-02-19
LA PASCUA.
BY RALPH g. TABER.

! Z ! ! J" ] J ] J J J ! ! ! ! ; ] J ]
rs. ~ HE black bull is Of the
(SNS Sensuntepec breed; his
| ~ w like has never been
SSoo w seen here before-so
| ~ Moo1ss: tall, 30 glossy, so wide
| n AAA of horn, 30 strong of
~ VA shoulder and lean of
" fankl You should
have seen the fire in his eyes as they
drove him into the patiol And there
is something more, Senores," the
speaker leaned forward and held his
brown finger upon his thick lips, mys-
teriously: 'sit is secret known but
to the few."
"Then it is scarcely secret" the
younger OF his two auditors replied.
A faint smile hovered uncertainty
about the corners of his mouth, and
he toyed idly with the glass before
him.
s'What is this wonderful secret?"
asked the other. expelling cloud of
smoke from his lungs.
SIT is said there will be new
matador."
"Pouf that is not news, Don Pedro.
These matadores-they come and go,
like the bulls they slay; it is ouly
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 new matador is neededl The
other"
"But this" interrupted the land
lord-'this is news, Sonores; for the
matador has never even faced bull,
not as banderillero nor capeador-"
"Caramba! What is the name Of
this fool?" The question was asked
in tone of contempt, and the tall
youth looked up with an impatient
frown.
The landlord shrugged his shoul-
ders: 'tI do not know the name, but he
comes from the upper country"
"Then we will drink to the excellent
bull. Come, friends; shall it be
aguardiente?"
"I 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 drinkP" asked the guest, as he
tasted his glass of strong spirits
ga passer, who came but this morn
ing. He gave his name as Antonio. l
know no more about him."
As Antonio gained the street, he
heard the tones of distant marimba
beating out the National air. Follow
|. ing tortuous walk, that was hedged
on either side by banks of blood red
roses, he slowly crossed tho broad
square in front Of the low adobe inn.
He selected bud, trimmed the thorns
with his knife, and thrust the stem
beneath the band of his wide SOM
brero.
Reaching the street on the opposite
side, he found himself before the ca.
thedral, whose pretentious entrance
faced the flower covered square. A
rudely carved stone high up on its
yellow adobe wall proclaimed that the
first foundation stone had been laid
120 years beforehand the structure
was not yet finished. The stucco doc
orations within its high arch had fall
en- away in places, and spots of green
mold clung to the plaster casts of the
saints.
Antonio carelessly noted all this,
but his thoughts were of the solemn
high mass, that was soon to be cele-
brated, and of the gsily dressed throng
that would fill the church and over
flow into the plaza, when the grand
professional should draw near. For it
was the feast of La Pascua and the
crowning day of the Holy Week.
The air was tremulous with musical
sounds, and the people began to con-
gregate. The marimha 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 Enelt when the
robed priests passed, with the shining
'sSantisimo" held on high, surrounded
by 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 twoscore of young girls clad in
pure white garments, with thin veil
ing pinned to their soft, black hair
and falling back over their shoulders.
The chariot, too, was draped in white,
and upon its broad platform was pres
ented tableau of the Nativity. Be-
fore gilt manger, in which lay fig.
ure OF the holy Child, three boys,
representing the three wise men, rev.
erently knelt and gazed upon glist-
ening star that hovered ever the cradle.
| Behind them were the ekin-clad shep-
herds, each with snow"white lamb in
his arms, aud beside the crib stood the
Mother, slight, fair girl, draped in
| moving roDes, CHOSEN IRON all VINO had
come for the fete because of her saint
like beauty, and bashfullly proud of
the distinction that was hers to enjoy
for the hour.
As the latter's glance fell upon An
tonic, kneeling bareheaded in the
throng, and as she felt his eyes bent
upon her, her tace was marked by a
passing shade of annoyance. Antonio
caught the expression, and the quick
blood surged to his olive cheeks.
He muttered bitterly to himself:
"She is saying again, as she said be.
fore, Antonio, what cowardp But
il shall be for the last time. To-day
to-day 1 shall show her!"
Hs rose from his knees and shoul-