The Press., 1900-05-03
LA CRUZ.
How Two Lovers Were Reunited
at the Foot Of the Cross.
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le1Surely toward the IldZd Ofduud W
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 a 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 par
some young caro-.
'Why is. every one so interested in
the cross?' said to my Mexican COM
panion as we seated ourselves on rus
tic bench.
"Have you never heard the story, Sc
norr' he inquired. ..--
"Never And why are so many
stones piled around it?'' I answered.
''Tell me about it."
"It was the CUSTOM" he began 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 load that he
might rest he, upon continuing his
journey, planted cross where he last
rested the remains. And whoever
passed that way was destined to cast
stone at the foot of the cross as
prayer for the soul of him whose NOR
tai remains had rested there"
Music interrupted him. And, as the
last echoing refrain of LA 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-
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 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.
zone 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 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 poisoning orange.
Just behind us 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.~ 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 i.to 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
Jes1ta, 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 it mourn
But the senorita stamped her pretty
foot and her eyes snapped as she an
! swered:
$50 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 holt
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
no longer
| Darkness crept into the valley,
clouds floated 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 a
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 tn
now wild night. AS she did so
screening clap of thunder broke forth
and the lightning rent the heavens
| darting about the sacred cross, illumi
mating it as it stood against the sky
Horror struck itself deep into the girl
soul. She fell to the floor, then hastil.
arose and started out into the fierc
night. She must find her Leon. H
must forgive her for her wicked word
against him"
| Again the sudden outburst of musi
Interrupted us. Many senoritas passet
by, and one smilingly bowed to m.
companion from behind her fan. HI
arose and responded profusely. TIL,
last sweet strain Of the trio was lost
and as it died away it seemed to b.
absorbed by the moon illumined en-
sign. The senior continued:
| "On she went, fastening toward tn
monumental cross. A mountain liol
snarled dismally in the distance. ! He
too, had been caught in the storm
Half paralyzed with fear, cropping he
| way in the darkness, she fell over al
obstacle washed into the path by tn
| rain. For. moment she lay Wher
she fell and breathed a prayer, SAINT,
Maria, protect my Leon and forgiv