The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1913-01-31
A CURIOUS COURT
II ls Held Annually When France
Pays Tribute to Spain.
PRICE Of AN ANCIENT PEACE.

~ &
After More Than Five Centuries Three
Calves Are Still Humbly Presented
Each Year to the siausAty Descend
ants Of the Victorious spaniards.
Every year there takes place in the
Pyrenean highlands q remarkable fete.
1t 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 suffi-
GENTLY indicate that the old inhabit-
ants OF the Roncal valley were once
victorious over their neighbors.
At 8 o'clock In the morning the may
Drs 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 lad, with q
pike, from the point OF which fiutters 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 Spaniards.
They are soon visible in the distance.
In front walks man clad in sheep
skins, who waves a red pennon at the
end Of pike as sign Of war. Behind
him walks the alcalde Of Isaba, the
principal village in the valley Of Rom
cal, and following him come the a.
caldes Of the other villages, their stafIs
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 Tsaba is all glorious to
behold in long black garment fas-
tened by gold buttons. tall white run,
tight citing knee breeches. red silk
stockings and buckied shoes a SOM
brero covers his head. ana In his hands
4 he holds the star 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 to old Gus
tom and tradition2D
s0Tho% So, %1.r ,<se,S,@ - .,... n~~ns~ =. %
answer the French
Then the two standard bearers ap-
lproach the boundary stone and lay
their pixies crosswise upon it. After
few moments the Spaniard takes his
up again sticks II into French soil and
then places it 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 shady oak,
and, 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 as
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. INJECTING fine on one, awarding
compensation to another, Furnishing one
and affording satisfaction to his victim.
\ After all the quarrels are settled the
Nalralde undertakes the appointment Of
the pasture guardians for both valleys,
90 that he 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
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
melnoration Of the conclusion OF the
peace Of 1875 and the installation of
the above ceremonies.
About 300 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