The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-02-07

fn1IDn ffSlne gave W III WIN
result of his somewhat lengthy resi-
dencc i'm the hllf-ruined palace OF t.t
AInannbra is that which tells Of the
love OF the fair JaCinta for the young
page. Ruyz dc tiarCOn. The scene L
laid in more modCrn times than were
the scenes of most OF his other ~
hamhra stories, and he was thus en-
aBied to weave i'm a uicture Of that ny
pocilondriac monarch. Philip ". WhhI
is of considerable historical value. \
attache TO the American legation al
Madrid Irving had peculiar facilities
afforded him for studying the Spanish
archives, and his researches for the
three years he remained in Spain re-
suited in historical works which stand
today in the highest rank. 1t was be
cause he was American attache that
he was allowed to live for a time in
tbe regal palace of the AlhaInbra AM
the legends which he there collected
and put forth in his own inimitaiie
style have probably delighted more
readers than even his histories have
instructed.
Many long years had rolled by since
a king had slept in the halls of the
Alhambra when Philip v, the Ecst
Bourbon to sway the Spanish sceptre,
came with his court to occupy for a
time that ancient palace Of the Moor
ish kings. When Grenada first fell
before the banners of CASTLE the Al
hambra was a favorate residence OF
the monarchs of the conquering ace
But q series Of earthquakes which top
pied down many houses in the city be-
low and made the towers of the palace
itself rock to their foundations scared
them away, and the ancient ~splendors
IF +hN Ia ~ 1r~ EN- +~ laa1 >-J
disuse. The palaces OF the nobility in
the city were shut up. and the Alham-
bra, like a sighted beauty, sat in
%T1ournful desolation among her neg
iected gardens.
But now Philip had come, Granada
rejoiced and the Alhambra made glad
her courts. He came with his second
wife, EliZabetta of Parma, and for the
reception of the royal pair the old
palace was hastily fitted up and the
raVaSes of time and neglect disguised
as much as possible. 1t seemed as if
the old days of glory of the fortress
palace had come again: for there was
heard the clangor Of trumpet and III
roll of drums; the battlements were
gay With banners and bright with the
glitter of arms.
The tramp of horses was once more
heard in the and crowds of
and courtiers walked through
the halls or 1oitered in the courts.
Beautiful maids of honor looked down
from laticed windows; the sound of
music stole out every now and then in
avs of love in some war-like strain.
In the gardens walked richly dressed
cavaliers, telling their tales to beautiful
IN the fountains were playing
again, and the birds sang, it seemed.
more Joyfully than ever before.
In the train Of this powerful and
splendid monarch there came to the
one Ruyz de Alarcon. a ia
vorlte page of the queen. a forward
springnald who, though Just turned Is,
was as wise in the ways OF women as
many an older man.; for a court is a
place where a youth turns quickly to
worldly wisdom and is no sort of a
place IN which to bring up a roguish
boy like RuyZ de Alarcon. That he
was accomplished and handsome goes
without saying, for the stately Eliza
oetta chose her following for their ac-
complishments and their beauty The
aides of the court petted and spOiled
the boy, and it was evident that he
would come to no good, when one dav
something occurred which rescued
him from the sea of dissipation and
plunged him into the sea Of matri-
mony, But not all at once. Of course.
or there would be no story.
The saucy page was one day loiter-
ing about in the groves of the Gener-
alife which overlook the our Of
n Alhambra He had along with
MIN Tor amusement the queens favor
lite gerfalcon, which he had taken
Withou her majesty's permission. Al
pro rose from a thicket. and Ruyz de
Aiarcon, deciding to do q little hawk
ahs on has own account, unhooded the!
Iaicon, slipped the jesses. gave the
bird a toss and off it went circlinr in
spirals high in the air in pursuit Of its
prey.
Having scared above the bird il pur-
SUED, the falcon made a swoop for it.
-ut the quarry was wily-swerved 10!
one side, and the gerfalcon missed its
strike. But it was fired with the spirit
of the chase now. and in spite OF the
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