Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-05-04

innumerable additions and tancTul
changes. 1t is one of their stories
that are derired from Spanish
sources and some of its forms hare q
distinct Moorish atmosphere.
Somewhere in Vera Cruz, or near II.
there is a mass of old iron that it will
be well 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 were 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
suit so little that they made haste to
get rid Of 1t. This is why nobody
knows today where 1T 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
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 a bOldness which
would not have been theirs in a chaste
state Of sObriety. Several among them
even addressed the armor politely, beg
ging 1t 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
o. ~ : ssSr>-s a. - 80 49, -,
" Evidently the offerswas 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 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, wise priest
counselled the police, and they caught
the rObber in Il 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 strong cell
high up in a 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 its arms folded.
Madrids most learned men were
called together hastily and they fell on
a clever stratagem for Outwitting the
devil. Under their orders the nor
was seized by bold wOrkmen and car
ried TO smelling furnace.
A wild laugh of diabolic mockery
came from the accursed thing as it was
tossed in. The hotter it grew, the
more did the laughter increase until
finally, when the mass was red and
fluid, the jeering and merriment we're
so clamorous that all Madrid resourd-
ed with It.
The learned men. however, smiled
grlmly. They were preparing a tid-bit
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 q mold that
stood ready. and instantly the laughter
ceased. to be replaced by bitter cries
of remonstrance, rage and menaces.
Then came whimpers for mercy
and the next moment, as the metal |
chilled, a scream of intolerance, utter |
agony. That was the last sound from
the wicked mass-for the wise men |
had cast Ii into a cross. The curse |
had been banned.
For many generation the cross did |
ialthful service at a wayside shrine, |
until It's story was forgotten. A new |
generation wanted bell for a convent !
In Madrid, and the bell-fourGcrs took |
down the cross and melted it into n
beautiful bell. On the very first ni.ht !
after 1t was hung, Madrid was startled
from sleep by such din from the bel
fry that everybody rushed ou., think
Ing that the authorities were ringing
alarm to arouse the citizens.
They found the belfry door locked.
The priests brought the key and
opened 1t boldly. Nobody was there:
but the bell-rope was iashing to and
fro, and the bell above sent out its
peals. not ceasing until cock-crow.
Night after night this continued.
While the churchmen and scholars held
council. They traced the history of
he cross from which the bell had been
made. and ordered that 1t be lowered
20 the ground. After a solemn trial
hey ordered that its tongue be tom