The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-02-27
La PAS:CUA.,
EY RALPH GRAHAM TABER.

zee 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
ia his eyes as they drove him into the
patio! And there is something more,
:,cnores," the speaker leaned forward
and held mis- brown finger upon his
taicl> lips, mysteriously; 1T is secret
known but to the, few" &C.,,
'''Chen it 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, expeliing cloud Of
SMOKE. from his lungs.
lit is said there will he new mata-
dor 49,,
''Pouf! that is not news, Don Pedro.
These natadores-they come and 60,
like the bulls they Stay; it is only a
question of time with them. Sooner or
later a drink too much ina kes the nerves
falter, and then--then the knife hits
half an inch too low. or it fails to strike
ahe right moment, and new matador
is needed! The other"
but this" interrupted the landlord
this is news, senores: for the mata-
dor has never even faced bull, not as
oanderillero nor capeador-"
''(,aramba! What is the name of this
fooi?" The question was asked in y
tone of contempt, and the tall youth
looked up with an impatient frown.
The landlord, shrugged his shou:-
@lers. II do not know the name, but he
comes from the upper country"
Then we will drink to the excellent
'.a,l. Come, friends; shall it be aguar-
<iiente?' ,,.sfs. -.-,. .-> ..G>~t
II 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.
~ passer, who came but this morn
ing. He gave his name rs Antonio. ]
knOEV no more 1D0lCl MN.
AS Antonio reached the street, lie
heard the tones of a distant mar:L.ba
l,eating out the national air. Following
4 tortuous walk, chat was hedged On
Either side by banks of b'ocd-red
roses, he slowly. crossed the broad
square in front OF the low adobe nm. lie
selected a bud, trimmed the thorns with
Ills knife, and thrust the stem beneath
the band of his wide sombrero.
Reaching the street OH the opposite
side, he found himself before the ca
thedral, whose pretentious entrance
faced the fower-covered square. A
,udely-carved stone high up on its yell
low adobe wall proclaimed that the
GEARS beforehand the structure was act
yet finished. The stucco decorations
within it's high arch had fallen away in
places, and spots of green mold cl..ng
TO the plaster casts of the ,soints.
Showing irregolarity here and there
we're small punctures-some of tfem
filled with moss-from which lad balls
,nightebeNNg with knife, the me,nsn-
toes of; revolutions; and browning the
crch:sstood a4statpc, of the Virgin. cor
lowfully viewing her empty arms from
which the Babes image had fallen.
Antonio carelessly noted all this. but
lis thoughts were of the solemn high
13ass, that was s.Dn to be celebrated,
md 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
1T Lii Pascua and the browning d:y Of
the holy week-the day that. common
GRATED the birth of the infant Saviour.
The air was trcmulous with musical
sounds, and the people began to COLI
gregate. The marimba notes swelled
louder and louder, the tramp of null
+itude 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
''Santisimo' held on high, surrounded
10y swinging censors. The smoke of
the incense filed the street with it's
subtle perfume, and served to throw an
additional charm about the chariot that
followed. This was float drawn by
,wo-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
'.i,on it's broad platform was presented
{. tableau of the Nativity. Before n
gilt manager, in which lay n figure of
the holy Child, three boys, representing
the three wise men, reverently knelt
and gazed upon Il glistening star that
lowered over the cradle. Behind them
'verc the skin-clad shepherds, each with
(, snow-white lamb in his arms, and be-
side the crib stood the mother, slight,
t4ir girl. draped in flowing robes,
chosen from all who had come for tile
Sete because of her saint-like beauty, q
and .bashfulk proud Of the distinction
t]!atfwas hers to enjoy for the hour.
AS the latter's glance fell upon An
ohio. kneeling bareheaded in = the
4hrorv md aH abe felt II is evpS bent