The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-11-08
LA CRUZ.
How Two Lovers Were Reunited
at tho Foot of tho Cross.


near the sunday evening band concert.
For moment the Jolllty ceased rs the
brightly dressed scnoritas and the gay
eavalleros came into the View Of the
wooden cross which rase near the path
leading over the mountain against
whose bosom the little city nestled.
Each uttered II prayer while viewing
the crucitiX MS II stood out against the
moonlit sky.
La cruz was the subject VI lnuch
comment by thp senoritas as they
walked around the plaza, and likewise
by the men, whose conversation was
varied by few remarks upon Il par.
tlcularly striking mantlla worn by
some young caro-.
why Is every one so Interested In
the crossY | said to my Mexican aam,
panIop rs We seatpd ourselves on rus
tic bench.
"lIaye you never heard the story. Sc
nori" he inquired.
''Never And why are SO msuY
stones piled around H." answered
Tell mu about IT,"
ut WIS the custom" he begun slow
~, among the Indians Of this country
to carry their dead on their backs To
the place of burial, and when the bur
den bearer set aside his Loud tltut ho
might rest ha, Upon continuing his
Journey, planted II cross where he last
rested the remains. And whoever
passed that way was destined to cast II
stone at the foot of the creas as u
prayer for the aaul 81 hin whose mar-
tnl remAns had rested there"
Music Interrupted him. And. ms the
last echolng refrain of LA paloma"
was lost IN the mountain air. sat
gazing nj the cross.
Santa Maria will bless you, spB9t,
for your Interest ~ tAe erpss'" he con
tlnprd, teSfffntly erAssing hinselt,
ineilAed my head IN Vsponso, ana hc
related 10 mo the following story:
Years ago. when this little city was
but II village, there lived n family who
used TO raise vegetables for II ncighbor.
Ing town. They had but one dnughie,,
Jcsita by namp Across the valley
dWelt a stalwart young fellow nAmod
Leon. A friendship which grpw mto
shNN 'ph AWAY NFNNN'N Wv WV biNtA
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.
zone day there passed through the
valley man burdaaed WITH the weight
Of bis dead father. He stopped 10 rest
and refresh himself Upon continuing.
he planted that erasa on the side OF the
hill, Fran the door of her adobe
home Jesltn had observed the burden
bearer make and plant the cross, so
when Leon came that evening they
went up the mountain side TO the an-
blem and cast With 4,srence a stone
at It's fepi.0
Here his story was Interrupted by the
soft strains OF music floating through
the orange trees and mngllng Itself
with the gentle seplyrs heavy with the
fragrance Of the blossomlng orange.
Just behind us II little stream cheerily
sang over the stones.
The music ceased and the relater
continued:
"Often after this they wandered to
the cross and would seat themselves
near It's projecting arms. Twas there
Leon told Jesita Of his love for her,
aud there he met Jeslta whe.' she told
him she would be his life companion,
one evening A. Leon started through
the valley 10 drive the cattle to the
corral, lest they stray Into the next
valley during the night, he stopped at
Jeslta's home. AS lovers Will, quar-
rel ensucd. In the midst Of II Leon left
Jesita. saying TO her as he pointed ia
ward the cross:
Seunrita Jesita. the Holy Virgin Is
dlspleased with us for quarrelng. for
see the dove perched on the cross ana
hear 1t mourn
"But the senorita stamped hpr prptty
foot. and her eyea shahped as she an.
sWeredl
" Go your way. Senior Leon
"Without answering he continued on
his errand looking for the cattle He
walked by the cross. casting stone at
the foot and making the sign OF holl-
ness as he passed. Jesita watched him
as he left her. thinking he ulIalt
glance back as usual. hui lip JId noi.
"a she sazel afler him ,cara dlmmed
her eyes. ana she turned seeing him
no longer,
DARKNESS crept into the valley.
clouds fioated tlrcatcnngly. and soon
an occasional fash Of lightning In the
distance told Of an approaching storm.
Leon had not returned. The sky grew
black, aud tho thunder rolled with
heavy resonance. The lowing winds
rose. ana all nature seemed to bclch
forth fire accompanied by the resound.
Ing roar. The senorlta's henrt beat
violently She remembered she had
spoken harshly 10 her Leon The tears
streaming down her beautiful face,
che looked toward the cross into the
now wild night AS she did 50
screeching clap OF thunder broke forth.
and the lightning rent the heavens,
darling about the sacred cross, illuml-
mating 1t as 1t 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"
Again the sudden outburst OF music
interrupted us. Many senoritas passed
by, and one smllingly bowed to my