Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-18
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 the Victorious Spaniards.


Each Year to the Naughty Descend.
ants Of the Victorious Spaniards.
Every year there takes place In the
Pyrenean highlands n remarkable fete
IL IL held at the boundary stone OF San
Martin. which separates the French
valley Bareton from the Spanish valley
OF Roncal Every year the representa-
tlyes 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 sufIi.
GENTLY indicate that the old inhabit
ants Of the RoncaI valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At o o'clock in the morning the may
ors OF the various villages In the Bare
ton valley. bravely adorned with their
blue. white and red scarfs OF Office.
march up TO the boundary stone. In
front OF the column walks a lad. with a
pike. from the point OF which fiutters q
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 a man clad In sheep
skins. who waves red pcnnon at the
end OF pike rs a sign OF war. Behind
him walks the alcalde 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
the procession consists OF shepherds.
stern looking fellows armed with old
sabers and matchlocks.
The alcalde OF Isaba Is all glorious TO
behold In a long black garment fas.
tened by gold buttons. tall white run.
tight fitting knee breeches. red silk
stockings and buckled shoes. A som.
brero covers his head. and In his hands
he holds the stan adorned with silver
knobs. the emblem In Spain OF magis.
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 10 old Gus
tom and tradition:"
THAT Is the reason OF our coming"
answer the French.
Then the two standard bearers an.
proach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon It. After n
few moments the Spaniard takes bis
up again. sticks 1t 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 n veterinary surgeon and
accepted. after which all present take
up their stations under shady oak.
and. following the example OF the good
81. Louis of France and Alfonso the
Wise OF Spain. the alcalde OF lsaba en-
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots OF the oak and proceeds to act as
magistrate.
Shepherds aud neatherds pass before
him and prefer their international com
plants. The judge listens TO both sides.
bids them bring forward their witness
es aud delivers Judgment without de.
lay. intlicting fine on one. awardin.
compensation to another. furnishing one
aud unordlng satisfaction TO his victim
After all the quarrels are settled the
alcalde undertakes the appointment OF
the pasture guardians for both valleys.
so that he enjoys even greater author
ity In the township OF Bareton than the
president OF the republic himself III
nally. they NIL betake themselves TO
Spanish soil. where a Homeric feast is
set out. and Till late In the night the
banquet goes on. the descendants OF
the old warlike mountain peoples drink.
ing together in brotherly unity IN com.
memoratlon of the conclusion or 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 1t
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute committed TO sum OF mon
ey. but the Spaniards declined. but
agreed to forego the firing OF guns In
the direction OF Frnnce ms being
wound TO French amour propre.
don Spectator.