The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-05-05

and tell 1t in many versions and ruth
innunerable additions and fGncifM
changes. 1t is one of their stories
that are derived from Spanish
sources and some of its forms haze q
distinct Moorish atmosphere.
Somewhere In Vera Cruz, or near 1t,
there is q 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
it were the French soldiers when they
occupied Mexico.
They tried to cast the piece of iron
into q 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 a band of outlaws
and robbers sacked 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 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 dfssolute noblemar
among them, more intelligent than the
rest. He suspected at once that this
was a 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.
It 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 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 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 thesjail-
ers entered his cell next morning, they
found the empty armor sitting calmly
on the bench, with it's arms folded.
Madrid's most learned men were
called together hastily and they fell ON
a clever stratagem for outwitting the
devil. Under their orders the amor
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 were
so clamorous that all Madrid resourd-
ed with it.
The learned men, however, smiled
grimly. 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.
mer poured the metal into mold that
Stoou 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, scream Of intolerance, utter
agony. That was the last sound from
the wicked mass-for the wise men
had cast 1t Into cross. The curse
had been banned.
Fer many generation the cross did
faithful service at a wayside shrine,
until its story was forgotten. A new
generation wanted bell for a convent
n Madrid, and the bell-fOundcrs took
Town the cross and melted 1t into n
beautiful bell. On the very first night
after it was hung, Madrid was startled
rom sleep by such a din from the bel
Try that everybody rushed out, think
ng that the authorities were ringing
llarm to arouse the citizens.
They found the belfry door locked. |
The priests brought the key and |
opened it boldly. Nobody was there
tut the bell-rope was flashing to and |
no, and the bell above sent out its |
,eals, 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