The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-02-07
A CURIOUS COURT
II Is Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.
After More Than Five Centuries Three
Calves Are Still HumbIy Presented
Each Year to the Naughty Descend
ants of tho Victorious Spaniards.

Each Year to the Naughty Descend
ants of tho Victorious Spsniards.
Every year there takes place In the
Pyrenean highlands a remarkable fete.
II is held al the boundary stone or San
Martin, which separates the French
valley Bareton from the Spanish valley
Of Roncal. Every year the representa-
lives of the French peasants assemble
there In order TO pay the Spanards "A
tribute, which consists OF three calves
of the same age and the same color,
and the delivery Of the calves Is ac-
ciently indicate that the old inhabit-
ants OF the Roncal valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At o o'clock I'm the morning the may
ors OF the various villages In the Bare
ton valley. bravely adorned with their
march up TO the boundary stone. In
front OF the column walks n lad. with
pike, from the point OF which 1utters
little white pennon as gage OF peace.
The three calves are dragged In the
rear of the procession at the end OF
long ropes. Calves and scarfs take up
their position by the stone and await
the arrival OF the Spanlards.
They are soon visible In the distance.
In front walks man clad In sheep
skins, who waves a red pennon at the
end Of a pike as sign OF war. Behind
him walks the alcalde Of Isaba, the
principal village I'm the valley OF Ron
cal, and following him come the a
caldes OF the other villages, their STATS
OF office I'm their hands. The bulk OF
the procession consists Of shepherds,
stern looking fellows armed with old
sabers aIsi matchlocks.
The alcalde OF Isaba Is all glorious to
behold I'm long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons, a tall white ruff.
tight fitting knee breeches, red silk
stockings and buckled shoes. A SOM
brero covers his head, and In his hands
he holds the staff adorned with silver
knobs. the emblem In Spain OF magls-
terial dignity.
As soon as the Spaniards reach the
rendezvous the alcalde OF Isaba steps
TO the front and addresses them In sol
emn ceremonial style:
"Are you come to pay tribute and
swear friendship according to old Gus
tom and traditionT
"That Is the reason OF our coming"
answer the French.
TheG the two standard bearers mp
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon It. After
few moments the Spaniard takes his
up again. sticks It into French soil and
then places Ii as before on the stone.
On the cross formed by the two shafts
the representatives Of the two valleys
swear to keep the peace with loyal
mind.
Then follows the delivery OF the three
calves to the Spaniards They are ex
amined by veterinary surgeon and
accepted. after which all present take
up their stations under n shady oak,
aud, following the example Of the good
Wise OF Spain, the alcalde of Isaba EN-.
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots OF the oak and proceeds to act rs
a magistrate
Shepherds and neatherds pass before
him and prefer their international com.
plants The Judge listens to both sides.
bids them bring forward their witness
es and delivers Judgment without de
lay, inhicting fine on one, awarding
compensation to another, furnishing one
and affordlng satisfaction to his victim
After all the quarrels are settled the
alcalde undertakes the appointment OF
the pasture guardians for both valleys,
30 that he enjoys even greater author
ity I'm the township Of Bareton than the
president OF the republic himself. III
nally, they all betake themselves TO
Spanish SOIL where Homeric feast Is
set out, and till late In the night the
banquet goes on. the descendants OF
the old warllke mountain peoples drink
ing together In brotherly unity I'm com
memoration Of the conclusion OF the
peace OF 1875 and the installation of
the above ceremonies.
About 800 years after this treaty had
been made the French began to refuse
to pay the tribute. but after some nego
tiations they consented to continue II
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute commuted TO sum OF mon
ey, but the Spaniards declined, but
agreed to forego the firing OF guns in
the direction OF France as being a
wound to French amour propre.-Lon
don Spectator