The Meeker herald., 1913-08-02
A CURIOUS COURT
II Is Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE OF AN ANCIENT PEACE.

After More Than Five Centuries Thrss
Calves Ars Still humbiy Presented
Each Year to the Naughty Descend
ants Of the Victorious Spaniards.
Every year there takes place in the
1t Is held ut the boundary stone Of San
Martin. which separates the French
valley Bareton from the Spanish valley
Of Roncai. Every year the representa-
tives Of the French peasants assemble
there In order to pay the Spaniards
tribute. which consists Of three calves
of the same age and the same color.
and the delivery Of the calves Is ac-
cOmpnnied by ceremonies which sufh-
ciently 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. brnvely adorned with their
blue. white and red scarfs Of office.
march up to the boundary stone. In
front of the column walks had. with a
pike. from the point Of which Hutters
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 Spaniards.
They are soop visible In the distance.
In front walks man clad In sheep
skins. who waves red pennon at the
end Of u pike as sign Of war. Behind
him walks the aicalde 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
snbers and matchlocks.
The alcalde of Isaba il all glorious to
behold in long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons. 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 stafY adorned with silver
knobs. the emblem in Spain of magis-
terinl dignity.
Az soon rs the Simninrds reach the
rendezvous the nlcaIde 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 und tradition?"
THAT is the reason Of our coming"
answer the French.
Then the two standard bearers ap-
proacb the boundary stone and lay
their pixies croSswise upon 1t. After
few moments the Spaniard takes bis
up Again. sticks 1t 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 Spaniards. They are ex-
amined by veterinary surgeon and
accepted. after which all present take
up their stations under a shady oak.
and. following the example of the good
st. Louis Of France and Alfonso the
Wise Of Smin. the alcnlde of Isaba en-
thrones himself among the gnarled
roots Of the oak and proceeds to act as
magistrate.
Shepherds and neatherds pass before
hini and prefer their international COM
plants. The judge listens to both sides.
bids them bring forward their Witness
en- and delivers judgment without de-
iay. infiicting tine on one. awarding
compensati tion to another. Furnishing one
and affOtriing satisfaction to his victim.
After all the q,iarrels are settled the
aicnlde undertakes the appointment of
the pasture guardians for both valleys.
so that lie enjoys even greater author
ity In the township of BaretOn than the
president Of the republic himself. FL
nally. they all betake themselves to
Spanish soil. where Homeric feast is
vet out. and till late in the night the
banquet gives on. the descendants of
the old wnrIike mountain peoples drink
Ing together In brotherly unity In com
memOrnti0n Of the conclusion Of the
I,ence Uf 1876 and the Installation OF
the above ceremonies.
About 800 years after this treaty had
been made the French began to refuse
TO ray the tribute. but after some negO-
tiationx they consented to continue It,
In more modern times they tried to get
the tribute committed to sum OF mon
sy. but the Smniards declined. but
agreed to forego the firing of guns in
the direction Of France as being a
wound to French amour propre.-Lon-
A<,pV G,N1,<,t