The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-09-18
A CAST|L|AN BRAVaDO
Revolving Scene Pictured by a
Spanish Novelist.
NERVE OF THE NAUGHTY DON

Striking Description of the Daring and
Courage Displayed by the Old GEN
eral Who Would Not Permit an Eng
lishman to Guido Him.
The realistic Spanish novelist,
yaldes, in one of his most popular
stories ('Sister San Suplice." trans
lated by Nathan Haskell Dole) gives
a description of retired Spanish gen
erals afternoon out wiich will illu-
inmate many chivalric incidents in
Spanish life and aptly illustrates the
reckless daring and courage of which
the average naughty don is literally
possessed. The scene is a sort of pie
mic grounds in the outskirts of Seville:
Meantime the animation had been
on the increase among the rulfians.
The period of unmannerly action had
come. One of them climbed upon a
table to make a speech, and then the
others, by way of applause, threw
sherry and manzanilla in his face.
Another was trying to lift with his
had stretched out on the floor. He did
not succeed. He merely tore his sack
coat Still others were committing
absurd and extravagant actions, max
ing great noise and uproar.
"The count remained grave and
silent, drinking one glass of sherry
after another. But his eyes were no
longer, as usual, incomprehensble and
unfathomable, like those of u man tired
of life. Though he did not speak or
move about he seemed different
man.
"The Englishman had taken Off his
jacket and waistcoat and rolling Up
his shirt sleeves, was exhibiting his
biceps, which were really powerful,
and trying to break empty bottles on
his arm. Once blood had come, but he
went on breaking the bottles without
paying any attention to it. Then he
asked the waiter to bring a bottle of
rum and a large glass. He filed this
to the brim with the liquor. and then
slowly, without moving a muscle or
even winking, he drained it to the bot
tom. Then he sat down at the table
opposite the count and said solemnly:
"'You can't do that
"a flash of fury cleaned through
the harebrained nObleman's eyes, but
he succeeded in restraining himself,
and, turning the rest of the bottle into
the glass, he calmly ordered the wait
ef to bring him some pepper. He
threw in pinch of it, then threw into
ff his cigar ashes heaped up before
him and, without saying a word, with
the same scornful, contemptuous smile,
drained the glass and, not content with
that, bit it in pieces. We saw his lips
spotted with blood. The company re-
ceived with oles and shouts of tri-
umph this proof of an uncOnquerable
stomach, in which it seemed as though
the national honor were concerned.
"Our neighbors in the other booths
must have reached the same happy
grade of temperature, for nothing was
heard but extravagant shouts, the
crashing of glasses, coarse laughter
and swearing.
"The count was not yet satisfied
with his victory over the Englishman
While he was swallowing with appar-
ent calmness the glasses of liquor
which were offered to him he did not
cease to devour him with his eyes,
carried away by dull madness. which
soon broke out His eyes, which were
the only part of his impassive face
that moved, cleaned more and more
ferociously, like those of a madman
when straitjacket has been put on
him. The Englishman continued to
boast of his strength. He was now
thoroughly intoxicated and talking i'm
sudently enough to the others. who