The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-10-12


this to the Virgin she told him to go to the
top of the hill which was always barren and
that he would find the ground covered with
roses. He was to fill his zarape with the flow
ers and hasten to the bishop with them. Juan
did as he was hidden, and when he spread
out the roses before the bishop there on the
inside Of his coarse Zarape was painted
beautiful picture, another miracle, of the Fir-
gin Mary. This was enough; and one Of the
finest churches in all Mexico was built at the
foot of the hill of Tepeyacac.
This remarkable portrait was placed IL
prominent part of the edifce, where it may
be seen to this day, enclosed by a beautiful
frame, said to be solid gold; and 1t is known
throughout Mexico as Our Lady of Guada
lupe."
On December 12 the festival of Our Lady
of Guadalupe" occurs and thousands make
the long pilgrimage to her shrine. This has
taken place since 1852 in which year the Vir-
gin of Guadalupe was officially recognized.
On the hill OF Tepeyacac is little chapel
which marks the spot where Juan Diego cut
the roses that he took to the bishop Just
back Of It is the Guadalupe cemetery, in
which some of Mexco's most famous men.
among them are Santa Ana, Viceroy Hacareh
and Colonel ObeTgon, are buried.
This edifce is reached by two series of
long, winding stairways, which go up the
steep hill from opposite sides. About half
way up one Of these flights are the mast and
sails of a ship, made OF stone and plastered
with cement How long they have been there
no man can say. There is a legend concern
ing their origin which is as follows: Many,
many long years ago, centuries, perhaps,
ship was i'll great storm on the Gulf Of Mex
leo The vessel was in danger OF sinking, and
so the sailors prayed to the Virgin, and prom
Used her that II she would save them they
would take the mast of their ship to her
shrine at Guadalupe and there set it up so
that it would remain forever as a monument
to her power. The vessel was saved, and
true to their vow, the sailors removed the
heavy mast and carried 1t upon their shoul,
ders over the long, weary miles from Vera
Cruz to the City Of Mexico, and thence tc
Guadalupe where they erected it, the sails
set. 1t was covered with stone and cement II
order that it might be preserved for the bene
tit of future generations; and there it re
mains to this day high up on the hill where
all may see.
On the spot where the Virgin is supposed tc
have stood when she appeared to Juan Diego
a spring the waters OF which are supposed tc
cure any i'll. gushes forth. Over this fountain
q little chapel. one of the most beautiful that
l have ever seen stands. over the altar is
painting Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe" and
every day many 90 to her shrine TO worship
One Of the most pathetic scenes that can he
imagined takes place in front Of the cathedral
Among the passengers OF every street car
that arrives the lame, the halt and the
blind Some have to be carried, others are
led while many who are frieudess, hobble
and drag themselves to this sacred spring te
obtain a drink of its magic waters.
No description of this interesting lane
would be complete without some mention OF
ba mic oft of "a
nous old place founded by the Spaniard:
in 1854, and the attraction which brought
them there was the rich vein Of silver known
as Veta Madre (mother yein). which has beer
worked steadily for over three and hall
centuries. The great Valenc!ana mine, 10
Gated near the city, has produced about $500,
100000. Mining is carried on in the same
primitive manner as IN the days of the early
Spaniards
The cemetery and the cataCombs are, prob
ably of more interest to the stranger thar
any other point in the city Armed with 8
permit which the hotel proprietor gave me
| climbed the steep hillside streets to the city
of the dead, situated upon the summit of one
Of the mountains
This cemetery is rather small, and won
dered that there were SO few graves in 1t, but
the mystery soon explained to me- In
the walls that enclosed the place are thou
SanuS Oh vaults, JUST Id Be enough IOI d COIlu
These may be rented for stated periods, but
when this time has expired, If the relatives OF
the deceased do not renew the lease, the re.
mains are taken out and thrown on the bone
pile beneath. The crypt is then ready for
occupation again. The ground where the
graves are located is sold outright.
However the greatest surprise of all was
before me. My guide opened a small door
built in some masonry on top of the ground,
and a flight of narrow, winding stairs was
exposed These we descended, and they
brought us into a long underground passage,
where is one of the most remarkable and
gruesome sights in all Mexico. About half Of
this chamber is occupied by a number Of
cerpses. In that dry climate. flesh will not
decay when protected from the weather. and
these bodies were withered and dried up
that they looked like leather The expires.
sions the faces were horrible in the ex.
IRENE.
The other end of this chamber is piled full
of bones. They are the remains of the poor
wretches who had once been laid to rest in
the vaults above and who, after the term for
which their friends had paid rent had
elapsed, had been removed to this place
These catacosnbs are indeed horrible, and
a poor place for any one inclined to nervous
troubles. for If your nerves are not pretty
strong you will see this terrifying place, with
its grinning skulls and shriveled mummies
for many a night afterwards.