The Forrest City times., 1899-11-03

A Wife'S Stratagem
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"\MHo will build the bridge ?" WV muttered the cardinal arch bishop of Toledo, glancing from one to another of his counsellors, and meeting the same blank look of dismay on the face of everyone. Who" he repeated, rising to his feet, and tossing aside the mass of papers and documents that lay on the table in front of him, will raise another San Martin to the glory of Spain and our patron saint? Is there no man in all the land equal to such an enterprise?'
 Great was the reputation of his emi- hence for piety and wisdom; but neither his learning nor his prayers had so far availed him; and this was the third month he had held solemn confer ence with the prelates and distin- guished knights of the kingdom only to find that he was as far away as ever from the object on which he had set his heart.
 It was many years since the old bridge had been destroyed by Don En- rique de Trastamara. Under the high
 walls of the city churchyard slumbered
 
 the memorable night when Toledo was | illumined by that huge fire, whose glare revealed alike the swarming enemies on The river bank, the palace of Don Rodrigo and the famous Arab tower, adorned with the exquisite skill of the artificers who had created the marvels of the Alhambra.
 Excited to frenzy by this terrible spectacle, the townfolks ran hither and thither and worked like demons to save the beautiful structure from ut ter destruction, but all their efforts were hopeless. There came sudden and tremendous crash, which resounded | far and wide through creek and val | ley; the bridge wavered. tottered, fell. | When the rising sun glittered on the domes and steeples of the city the maid ems who came down to fill their pitchers from the pure stream returned empty | handed, for the water was muddy, and the current was carrying down along with it the still smoking ruins of San | Martin.
 "Ah! but you are deceiving me- There
 is something wrong" 'The evening is colder than usual and the work has been excessive" Again and again had the authorities endeavored to replace it by another bridge of equal strength and beauty; but the talents of the most famous
 architects were requisitioned in vain. | The powerful tides of the river swept away their scaffolding and framework before even the gigantic arches could be 1 completed. So it came about that the | good archbishop sent criers through out the whole length of Spain inviting architects, Christian and infidel, to un- | dertake the reconstruction of the | bridge, but without success. The trials and difficulties to be encountered | seemed insurmountable. The second day of the conference brought no result. The archbishop was | in despair.
 II doubt it will be of little use calling | yod together again, gentlemen" he said, at last. And yet the thing is not impossible"
 Just as he spoke there came a low knock at the door, and one of the at teludnts announced that an architect from abroad begged the honor of an audience.
 The archbishop resumed his seat. Admit the stranger architect at once," said he. He will be the first we have seen for long time." The attendant bowed low, and pres ently ushered in a young, strongly built man of about 30. His dress was travel-stained and worn, but there was something in his quiet self-possession and the frank look of his clear blue eyes which inspired confidence and re- | spect.
 "Be seated, sir" said his eminenee. courteously. "Why have you waited on me? Have you come in answer to my invitation to any skillful architect to rebuild the bridge of San Martin?" Tt was, indeed, that invitation which brought me to Toledo. I am aware of the difficulties of the task, but think shall succeed if your lordship will al- low me 10 try"
 What building have you already erected by which may judge of your xkin?"