Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-04-20

tnnumerG6Ie additions and tdncttut
changes. 1t is one of their stories
that are derived from Spanish
sources and some of its forms hare
distinct Moorish atmosphere.
Somewhere in Vera Cruz, or near it,
there is a mass of old iron that it 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
it We're the French soldiers when they
occupied Mexico.
They tried to cast the piece of iron
into a 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 it. 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 castle near Mad
rid. AS they were feasting in it's great
vaulted banquet hall at dusk, a suit of
armor 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 u holiness which
would not have been theirs in chaste
state of sobriety. Several among them
even addressed the armor politely, beg
ging it to be seated.
There was a diSsolute nobleman
among them, more intelligent than the
rest. He suspected at once that this
was certain famous armor that had
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 it.
Evidently the offer was accepted at
once for Don Gil had no trouble what
soever about getting into the suit of
mail. Indeed it seemed to his COM
panions that the armor adjusted itself
to the cavaliers person with a celer-
ity that looked suspiciously as if in
visible hands were extending excellent
assistance.
Incased in the satanic armor, Don
Gil became the scourge of the country.
1t turned swords and axes, and it
seemed that none could overcome the
man. At last, however, a wise priest
counselled the police and they caught
the robber in moose of rope previous
ly blessed by the church. Tying him
up with painful care, they bore him to
Madrid.
There they put him into a strong cell
high up in q tall tower. Unfortunate
ly they released him from the rope be
fore they locked him up. That was the
last that any human eye ever saw of
Don Gil de Marcadante. When the Jail.
ers entered his cell next morning, they
found the empty armor sitting calmly
on the bench, with it's arms folded.
Madrids most learned men were
called together hastily and they fell or
clever stratagem for outwitting the
devil. Under their orders the arn.ol
was seized by bold workmen and car
ried to a smelling furnace.
A wild laugh Of diabolic mockery
came from the accursed thing as 1t was
tossed in. The hotter it grew, thu
more did the laughter increase unit
finally, when the mass was red ant
fluid, the jeering and merriment were
so clamorous that all Madrid resourd
ed with it.
The learned men, however, smiled
grimly. They were preparing a tid-bi
for the devil that was to make laugh
ter choke in his demoniac gullet.
AS soon as the armor was fully melt
ed, they gave the word. The work
men poured the metal into a mold tina
stood ready, and instantly the lGughte
ceased, to be replaced by bitter erie
of remonstrance, rage and menaces.
Then came whimpers for mercy
and the next moment, as the meta
chilled, a scream of intolerance, ute
agony. That was the last sound from
the wicked mass-fOr the wise mel
had cast it into a cross. The ours
, had been banned.
For many generation the cross di
faithful service at wayside shrine
until its story was forgotten. A ney
generation wanted bell for conven
in Madrid, and the bell-foundcrs too
down the cross and melted it into
, beautiful bell. On the very first nigh
after it was hung, Madrid was startle
, from sleep by such din from the be
fry that everybody rushed out, think
ing that the authorities were ringin
, alarm to arouse the citizens.
, They found the belfry door locked
The priests brought the key an
: opened 1t boldly. Nobody was there
| but the bell-rope was flashing to an
!. fro, and the bell above sent out II
b. peals, not ceasing until cock-crow.
Night after night this continued
while the churchmen and scholars hel