Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-04-17
LA PASCUA.
by RALPH GRAHAM TABER.

FEC breed; his like mas never Oeen Sceh
here before--so tall, SO glossy, so wide
of horn, SO strong of shoulder and lean
OF flank! You should have seen the fire
In 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, mysteriousiy; lit Is a secret
known but to the few"
'"l'hen it is scarcely a secret" the
younger of his two auditors replied. n
faint smile lowered uncertainty about
the corners of his mouth, and lac toyed
Idly with the glass before him.
What is this wonderful secret"
asked the other. expelling cloud of
smoke from his lungs.
sit is said there will be new matu-
dor"
''Pouf! that is not news. Don Pedro.
These matadores--they come and go,
like the bulls they Stay; it is only Il
question of time wath them. Sooner or
later drink too much makes the nerves
ialter, and then--then the knife hits
half an inch too low, or it fails to strike
is needed! The other"
But this" interrupted the landlord
this is news, scnores; for the mata-
dor has never even faced I; DULL, not rs
oanderillero nor capeador--'
'Caramba! What is the name Of this
fooi:" The question was asked in a
tone of contempt, and the tall youth
looked up with an impatient frown.
The landlord shrugged his Shout
ders. Il do not know the name, but he
comes from the upper country"
-, ''Thcn we will drink to the excellent
s,uil. Come, friends; shall it be aguar-
diente?'
Il thank you,' the youth replied
courteously, ''but not for Inc, 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 os Antonio. ]
know no more about him"
As Antonio reached the street. he
heard the tones of a distant nlarl..ba
heating out the national air. Following
4 tortuous walk, that was heIgcd on
either side by banks Of blocd-red
roses, he slowly crossed the broad
square in front of the low adobe inn. lie
selected a bud, trimmed the thorns with
a,is 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
rhedral,' whose pretentious entrance
faced the f1ower-covered square A
Iudely-carved stone high up on It's yell
low adobe wall proclaimed that the
first foundation stone had been laid 100
gears beforehand the structure was act
yet finished. The stucco decorat Lions
within it's high arch had fallen away in
places, and spots of green mold cl..ng
to the plaster casts Of the. saints.
Showing irregularity here and there
we're small punctures---some of them
t1lled with moss-from which lead la is
might be dug with knife, the me.nen-
toes of revolutions; and browning the
zsrch stood q statue of the Virgin. cor
1owfully viewing her empty arms from
which the Babes image had fallen.
Antonio carelessiy noted all, this. but
his thoughts were of the solemn high
saass, that was soon to be celebrated.
and of the gayiy-dressel throng that
would fill the church and overflow The
plaza, when the grand professional
should draw near. For it was the feast
OF La Pascua and the browning d::y Of
the holy week-the day that conmc;n IN
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 a null
tlfude echoed along the rough pave
ynsnts and the head of the procession
turned into the square. AS it ap-
preached, Antonio dotted his hat re-
spectfnlly. and he knelt when the
rDi,ed priests passed, with the shining
santisimO' held on high, surrounded
ny swinging censors. The smoke Of
the incense filed the street with it's
subtle perfume, and served to throw an
dUOut IHe cudfiOC mat
followed. This was float drawn by
swo-score of young girls clad in pure
white garments, with thin yelling
pinned to their soft, black hair and fall
ing back over their shoulders. The
chariot, too, was draped in white, and
upon its broad platform was presented
II tabieau of the Nativity. Before a
gilt manager, in which lay a figure of
the holy Child, three boys representing
the three wise men, revercntly knelt
and gazed upon glistening star that
hOvered over the cradle. Behind them
.'erc the skin-clad shepherds, each with
:s.,snoW-White lamb in his arms. and be-
side the crib stood the mother. q slight,
lair girl, draped in flowing robes,
chosen from all who had come for tile
Irte because of her saint-like beauty.
and bashfuliy proud of the distinction
1jl1t' was hers to enjoy for the hour.
As the latter's glance fell. upon An
-Ds,io. kneeiing bareheaded IN the
tAi,Ong, and as she felt his eyes bent
upon her, her face was marked by u