The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-12-19
LA CRUZ.
How Two Lovers Were Reunited
at the Foot of the Cross.


| as I mingled with the crowd walkin,
leisurely toward the Plaza Granda t
hear the Sunday evening band concert
For moment the jollity ceased as tn
brightly dressed senoritas and the ga.
cavalieroS came into the view of tn,
wooden cross which rose near the patl
leading over the mountain agains
whose bosom the little city nestled
Each uttered a prayer while viewing
the crucifix as it stood out against tn,
moonlit sky.
La cruz was the subject of mucl
comment by the senoritas as they
walked around the plaza, and likewise
| by the men, whose conversation wal
varied by a few remarks upon a par
ticularly striking mantilla worn BY
some young caro-.
"Why is every one so interested II
the crossY said to my Mexican com
panion as we seated ourselves on a rus
tic bench.
"Have you never heard the story, Sc
hor?" he inquired.
"Never. And why are SO many
stones piled around it2" answered
s'Tell me about it."
I ut was the CUSTOM" he began slow
ly, among the Indians of this country
to carry their dead on their backs tc
the place of burial, and when the bur.
den bearer set aside his load that be
might rest he, upon continuing his
journey, planted a cross where he last
rested the remains. And whoever
passed that way was destined to cast a
stone at the foot of the cross as a
prayer for the soul of him whose NOR.
tai remains had rested there"
Music interrupted him. And, as the
last echoing refrain Of la PaIoma"
was lost in the mountain air, sat
gazing at the cross.
Santa Maria will bless you, senior,
for your interest In the cross" he con-
tinued, reverently crossing himself. /
inclined my head in response, and he
related to me the following story:
years ago, when this little city was
but village, there lived family who
used to raise vegetables for neighbor.
Ing town. They had but one daughter,
Jesita by name. Across the valley
dwelt a stalwart young fellow named
Leon. A friendship which grew into
affection arose between the two. Often
in the evening they would wander
through the valley by the side of yon-
der stream or climb the ascent and
watch the setting sun.
"One day there passed through the
valley man burdened with the weight
of his dead father. He stopped to rest
and refresh himself. Upon continuing,
he planted that cross on the side Of the
hill. From the door of her adobe
home Jesita had observed the burden
bearer make and plant the cross, SO
when Leon came that evening they
went up the mountain side to the en-
blem and cast, with reverence, a stone
at its foot"
Here his story was interrupted by the
soft strains of music floating through
the orange trees and mingling itself
with the gentle Zephyrs heavy with the
fragrance of the blossoming orange.
Just behind US a little stream cheerily
sang over the stones.
The music ceased, and the relater
continued:
soften after this they wandered to
the cross and would seat themselves
near its projecting arms. Twas there
Leon told Jesita of his love for her,
and there he met Jesita wheN she told
him she would be his life companion.
One evening as Leon started through
the valley to drive the cattle to the
corral. lest they stray into the next
valley during the night. he stopped at
Jesita's home. AS lovers will, a quar-
rel ensued. In the midst of it Leon left
Jesita, saying to her as he pointed to-
ward the cross:
'Senorita Jesita, the Holy Virgin is
displeased with us for quarreling, for
see the dove perched on the cross and
hear 1t mourn Fs
"But the senorita stamped her pretty
foot. and her eyes snapped as she an
swered:
90 your way, Senior Leon
Without answering he continued on
his errand looking for the cattle. He
walked by the cross. casting a stone at
the foot and making the sign of holi-
ness as he passed. Jesita watched him
as he left her. thinking he might
glance back as usual, but he did not.
AS she gazed after him tears dimmed
her eyes, and she turned, seeing him
mo longer
Darkness crept into the valley,
clouds foated 'threateningly. and soon
an occasional flash Of lightning in the
distance told of an approaching storm.
Leon had not returned. The sky grew
black. and the thunder rolled with
heavy resonance. The lowing winds
Rose and all nature seemed to belch
forth fire accompanied by the resound-
ing roar. The senorita's heart beat
violently. She remembered she had
spoken harshly to her Leon. The tears
streaming down her beautiful face,
she looked toward the cross into the
now wild night AS she did so a
sereeching clap of thunder broke forth,
and the lightning rent the heavens,
darting about the sacred cross, ilIumi-
mating 1t as it stood against the sky.
Horror struck itself deep into the girls
soul She fell to the floor, then hastily
arose and started out Into the fierce
night. She must find her Leon. He
must forgive her for her wicked words
against him." 9
Again the sudden outburst of music
interrupted us. Many senoritas passed
by, and one smilingly bowed to my
companion from behind her fan. He
arose and responded profusely. The
last sweet strain of the trio was lost,
and as it died away 1t seemed to be
absorbed by the moon illumined en-
sign The senior continued:
ION she went, Fastening toward the
monumental cross. A mountain lion
snarled dismally In the distance. He,
too, had been caught in the storm.
Half paralyzed with fear, cropping her
way in the darkness, she fell over an
obstacle washed into the path by the
rain. ( For moment she lay where
she fell and breathed prayer Santa
Maria, protect. my Leon and forgive
.me-forgive me- Something crawled
over her feet as she lay there. 1t was
snake disturbed by the torrents of
water. She jumped up screaming, and
as she did so the lightning played
about the cross, Illuminating again and
again its every point. Just above 1t
she thought she saw a dove lowering
and heard its dismal mourn piercing
the wildness of the night. Still the
storm continued, venting its fury in
the wild mountains.
when Leon had left Jesita's home,
he had passed the cross apd FASTENED