The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-01-22
A CURIOUS court
1t Is Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.

After More Than Five cet turtles Three
Calves Are Still Humbly Presented
Each Year to the Naughty Descend
ants of the Victorious spanlards.
Every year there takes place in the
Pyrenean highlands a remarkable fete,
q is held at the boundary stone Of 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 Spaniards a
tribute. which consists Of three calves
of the same age and the same color,
and the delivery of the calves is ac-
companied by ceremonies which sufi-
GENTLY Indicate that the old inhabit-
ants of the Ronca valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At . o'clock in the morning the may
ors of the various villages in the Bare
ton valley. bravery adorned with their
blue. white and red scarfs of Office
march mp to the boundary stone. In
front of the column walks a lad. with a
pike, from the point of which ilutters a
little white pennon as a 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 red pennon AT the
end Of pike as sign Of war. Behind
him walks the acalde Of Isaba, the
principal village IN the valley Of Ron
cal. and following him come the a
/ caldes Of the other villages, their STATS
Of Office in their hands. The bulk Of
( tie procession consists of shepherds.
stern looking fellows armed with old
sahers aud matchlocks.
| The alcalde Of Isaba Is all glorious 70
behold in a long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons. a tall white run,
tight fitting knee breeches. red silk
stockings and buckled shoes. y som
brero covers his head. and in his hands
he holds the staff adorned with silver
knobs, the emblem in Spain of magis
'erial dignity.
As soon as the Spaniards reach the
rendezvous the alcalde of lsaba steps
TO the front and addresses them in sol
emn ceremonial style.
Are you come to pay tribute aud
swear friendship according TO old Gus
tom and tradition?'
THAT is the reason Of our coming.
answer the French.
Then the two standard bearers mp.
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon it, After a
few moments the Spaniard takes his
up again, sticks it into French soil and
then places 1t 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 Spauards They are ex
amined by a veterinary surgeon aud
accepted after which all present take
up their stations under shady oak
aud. following the example of the good
St Louis Of France and Alfonso the
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
Is and delivers Judgment without de
lay inhicting fine on one, awarding
compensation TO another. Furnishing on'
and anording satisfaction to his victim
After all the -quarrels are settled ia,
alcalde undertakes the appointment OF
the pasture guardians for both valleys
so that he enjoys even greater author
lty in the township of Bareton than thi
president Of the republic himself III
nally. they AL betake themselves d
Spanish soil where Homeric feast IL
set out, and till late In the night IN,
banquet goes ON. the descendants %
the old warlike mountain peoples drink
ing together In brotherly unity In com
memoration Of the conclusion of On
peace Of 1870 and the installation 70
the above ceremonies.
About 300 years after this treaty hal
been made the French began To refus
to pay the tribute. but after some neCo
tationS they consented TO continue I
Ia more modern times they tried 90 q
the tribute committed to n sum ct mol
ey. but the Spaniards declined, hu
agreed 20 forego the firing OF guns ii
} the direction Of France rs being
p wound to French amour propre.-Lou
. don Spectator.