The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-01-05
LA CRUZ.
How Two Lovers Wero Reunited
at the Foot of the Cross.
: 9~e@>eHe%o~e%~>@>@e

| V@V0V~SSDSoVV@
The light of day had died from the
foothills of the Mexican city of Jalapa
as l mingled with the crowd walking
leisurely toward the Plaza Granda to
hear the Sunday evening band concert
For q 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 a prayer while viewing
the crucifix rs 1t 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 par
| 'ticularly striking mantilla worn by
some young caro-.
"Why is every one SO interested In
the CROSSE" said to my Mexican COM
banion as we seated ourselves on rus
tic bench.
Have you never heard the story. Sc
| norF" he inquired.
"Never. And why are SO many
stones piled around itY I answered.
'Tell me about It."
"It 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 a cross where he last
| rested the remains. And whoever
| passed that way was destined to cast q
stone at the foot of the cross as q
| prayer for the soul Of him whose NOR
tai remains had rested there"
Music interrupted him. And, as thu
last echoing refrain of ia Paloma"
was lost In the mountain air, I sat
| gazing at the cross.
Santa Maria will bless you, senior,
for your interest in the cross" he con-
| itinued, reverently crossing himself.
related to me the following story:
Years ago. when this little city was
but a village. there lived a family who
1
| ing town. They had but one daughter,
Jesita by name. Across the valley;
,dweit q 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.
| lone day there passed through the
valley q 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, stone
| at its foot"
Here his story was interrupted by the
soft strains of music floating through
the orange trees and mingllng itself
with the gentle zephyrs heavy with the
| fragrance of the blossoming orange.
Just behind US 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 its projecting arms. Twas there
Leon told Jesita of his love for her.
and there he met Jesita whec 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. quar-
rel ensued. In the midst of it Leon left
Jesita saying to her as he pointed to-
ward the cross:
"'Scnorita Jesita. the Holy Virgin is
displeased with US for quarreling. for
ssee the dove perched on the cross and
hear 1t mourn
But the senorita stamped her pretty
foot. and her eyes snapped as she an
severed:
"'Go your way. Senior Leon
without answering he continued on
his GRAND 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.
las she gazed after him tears dimmed
| her eyes. and she turned, seeing him
no longer.
Darkness crept into the valley.
clouds f1oated 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 n
| 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 ner DeaurIruI race,
she looked toward the cross into the
now wild night. AS she did so o
screeching clap of thunder broke forth,
and the lightning rent the heavens.
darting about the sacred cross, illumi-
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 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
l rain. For moment she lay where
she fell and breathed q prayer. Santa