The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-21

Troubled Mericos story-tetIers
Ioue the story of the 0ccursed bell
and tell 1t IN many pensions and with
tnnumeroble additions and fanctfuI
changes. 1t IS one of their stories
that are derived from Spanish
sources and some of its forms have
distinct Moorish atmosphere.
Somewhere in Vera Cruz, or near 1t,
there is mass Of old iron that 1t will
be we'll to leave untouched if anybody
should be so unfortunate as to find it. 1t
has made trouble for Spanish authori-
ties and the church, and the last peo-
pie TO have Improbable dealings with
1t were the French soldiers when they
occupied Mexico.
They tried to cast the piece of iron
into cannon, and they did not like
the result. Indeed, brave soldados
though they were, they liked the re-
| suit so little that they made haste to
get rid of 1t. This is why nobody
knows today where it is.
The story of this iron goes back to
old Spain in the days of chivalry. One
day In that period band of outlaws
and robbers sacked a castle near Mad
rid. AS they were feasting in Its great
vaulted banquet hall at dusk, suit of
nrmor that had been hanging on the
wall suddenly got down and stalked
into their circle, empty as it was.
Most of the band Immediately ran
away, urged by commendable pru
dence. Some, however, were drunk
enough to possess boldness which
would not have been theirs in chastt
state Of sobrlety. Several among then
even addressed the armor politely, beg
ging 1t to be seated.
There was q dissolute nOblcmaI
among them. more intelligent than tn
rest. He suspected at once that thi
was certain famous armor that hat
been forged by the devil himself
Tempted by the thought, this DEGRADED
cavalier, by name Don Gil de Marca
dante, bowed low to the armor and OF
fered to sell his soul for the possession
Of 1t.
Evidently the offer was accepted a
once, for Don Gil had no trouble what
soeyer about getting into the suit Q
mail. Indeed, 1t seemed to his con
panions that the armor adjusted itse
to the cavaliers person with cele
ity that looked suspiciously as II IL
visible hands were extending exceller
assistance.
Incased In the satanic armor, Do
Gil became the scourge of the countr
It turned swords and axes, and
seemed that none could overcome til
man. At last, however, a wise prie'
counselled the police, and they caugf
the robber in moose of rope previou
" blessed by the church. Tying hi
up with painful care, they bore him
Madrid
There they put him into strong ce
high up In a tall tower. Unfortunat
ly they released him from the rope b
fore they locked him up. That was Il
last that any human eye ever saw
Don Gil de Marcadante. When the jai
} ers entered his cell next morning, thu
found the empty armor sitting calm
. on the bench, with its arms folded
Madrids most learned men we
called together hastily and they fell {
clever stratagem for outwitting Il
devil. Under their orders the arm.
was seized by bold workmen and ca
ried to smelling furnace.
A wild laugh of diabolic mocke
came from the accused thing as it w
| tossed In. The hotter it grew tt
/ more did the laughter increase un
] finally, when the mass was red al
| fluid, the jeering and merriment we
| 80 clamorous that all Madrid resoun
| ed with 1t.
The learned men, however, smil
| grimly. They were preparing tid-t
| for the devil that was to make laug
| ter choke in his demoniac gullet.
/ AS soon as the armor was fully me
ed, they gave the word. The wOr
men poured the metal into mold tn
stood ready, and instantly the Taught
/ ceased, to be replaced by bitter cri
of remonstrance, rage and menaces.
/ Then came whimpers for mere
and the next moment, as the met
| chilled, a scream of intolerance, utt
| agony. That was the last sound FRI
! the wicked mass--for the wise m
had cast it into cross. The cul
| had been banned.
i For many generation the cross
= faithful service at wayside shril
! until it's story was forgotten. A nj
/ generation wanted bell for a conve
I In Madrid, and the bell-foundcrs to
I down the cross and melted it into
] beautiful bell. On the very first mig
! after it was hung, Madrid was start