Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-12-12
Ia CRUZ.
How Two Lovers Were Reunited
atthe Foot of tho Cross.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

8 atehe Foot of tho Cross. 8
S&o4e4oAeAoeeooAs~e@s%a%S
The light of day had died from the
foothills of the Mexican city of Jalapa
ms 1 mingled with the crowd walking
leisurely toward the Plaza Granda to
hear the Sunday evening band concert.
For moment the jollity ceased as the
brightly dressed senoritas and the gay
cavalieros came into the view of the
wooden cross which rose near the path
leading over the mountain against
whose bosom the little city nestled.
Each uttered prayer while viewing
the crucifiX as it stood out against the
moonlit sky.
La cruz was the subject of much
comment by the senoritas as they
walked around the plaza, and likewise
by the men, whose conversation was
varied by few remarks upon n par
ticuIarly striking mantiila worn by
some young caro-,
why is every one so interested in
the cross?' l said to my Mexican com
panion as we seated ourselves on rus
tic bench.
"Have you never heard the story, Sc
nor?" he inquired.
Never. And why are so many
stones piled around it?" answered.
Tell me about it.
cit was the CUSTOM" he began slow
ly, "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 load that he
might rest he, upon continuing his
journey, planted 81 cross where he last
rested the remains. And whoever
passed that way was destined to cast n
stone at the foot of the cross as n
prayer for the soul of him whose NOR
tai remains had rested there
Music interrupted him. And, as the
last echoirg refrain Of la Paloma"
was lost in the mountain air, / sat
gazing at the cross.
Santa Maria will bless you, senor,
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 a family who
used to raise vegetables for neighbor-
ing town. They had but one daughter.
Jesita by name. Across the valley
dwelt 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. u stone
at it's 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 q 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 whe:S she told
him she would he 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 viii. quar-
rel ensued. In the midst of it Leon left
Jesita, saying to her as he pointed to-
ward the cross:
'Senorita .Tesita. the Holy Virgin is
| dispIeased with us for quarreIing. for
see the dove perched on the cross and
hear II mourn
'.But the senoritI stamped her pretty
foot. and her eyes snapped as she an
swered:
"'Go your way. Senor Leon
without answering he continued on
his errand looking for the cattle. He
walked by the cross. casting n stone at
the foot and making tire sign of hoIi-
ness as he passed. .Iesita watched him
as he lefI 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
no longer.
Darkness crept into the valley,
clouds fioated thrcateningly. and soon
an occasional fash of lightning in the
distance told of an approaching storm.
Leon had not returned. The sky grew
black. and the thunder rolled with a
heavy resonance The lowing winds
rose. and all nature seemed to telch
forth Ere accom- pa ttied lsy the resound-
| Ing rolf I-Ile sennfita's IleaEt beat