South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-05
HISTORIC SPANISH
SWINDLE NO LONGER
LURES AMERICANS
MYTH of Beautiful Princess in
Tower Fails to Impress


GRANADA. Spain. June l3-tBy
Nal. )-Auericaus have quit com
ing % Spain in search ~ the beau
tifuI and wealthy princess impris-
oned On a dark. damp tower by
greedy uncle. who ls anxious 20 an
mex her fortune.
The historic old Spanish swindle
apparently has gone out OF fashion
in the United States. but 10 Isl sttll
On vogue IN other parts of the
world Germany has recently sup
piled quite a crop or kind-hearted
gentlemen who advanced money for
the release OF the dark-eyed Spanish
beauty who was suffering IN a rat
infested cell and slowly dying on a
diet OF dry bread and water while
the bats lowered about her head
and added 20 the terrors OF her sol
itary confinement.
Granada has always been a pop
ular center for the men who have
contributed 20 the relief Of impris-
oned beauties Washington Irving
and scores OF lesser writer's have
credited Granada with having more
beautiful women than any other
city IN the world. The legend OF
the Rose Of AIhambra and the sto-
ries Of the three beautiful princess
es Zayda. Zoravda and ZOrahayda,
hover about the Alhambra and
make 70 the natural refuge for DIS
appointed investors I'm distressed
beauty
Vaudeville stars always have
found the names Of Moorish prin-
cesses profitable on playbils. They
carry with them the atmosphere Of
the harem. Of the yelled face and
the orienfsi dance They suggest
the AlhanG0ra and millions Of gold.
and the priceless Moorish jewels
which BOadhill and his court are
reported in legend 10 have secreted
In their beautiful palace before 20
was surrendered 20 Ferdinand and
Ieabella. Boabdil and mis- queen are
supposed 10 be hiding On a cavern
in the neighboring mountains wait
ing for a magic call from NOLAN
med which Will restore them 20
their glory in the AIhambra- Ev-
cry tower. every turret. every min
aret and every dungeon I'm the old
Alham'bra has its legend.
50 10 is not strange that searchers
Tor princesses should come 20 Gram
ada after having sought vainIy for
mythical castles I'm mythical noun
tains Most Of the modern Spanish
princesses are being held caDtives
ir castles by the sea Castles by
the sea are so much damper. and
then Ii Us much fore romantic for
re cue parties TO approach the
rocky coast ir ships and wave 20
the Imprisoned princess who VIII
promptly tear her clothing 10 bl,s
and make a rope with which she
viii lower herself from the gloomy
tower
Many Of the imposters who are
marketing adventure go creduIous
investors give their princesses the
Names Of famous women who have
been dead for centuries Moraymah
and Aishah. queens Of tho Moorish
regime who have been dead for
over 400 years and many other ce-
lehrities OF history and legend have
lent their names TO priucesses sup
posed 90 be in distress
Hotelkeapers i'm Granada have
become skilled In detecting visitor,
WHO are searching or imprisoned
beauties They usually make very
guarded inqu ries and seldom admit
they have been duDed Frequently
they enquire for gypsy fortune tel
Iers. or astroioeers. who probably
charge well for their services. Let
tiers concerning the distressed prin-
cesses are usually marked strictly
confidential and instructions are
given that nothing must Dc said to
anyone lest the life Of the princess
he endangered. Most OF the dunes
are too much ashamed of thoir
plight 90 confess openly that they
have been gulled. but an occasional
victim approaches some Of the f0r-
eiEn consuls or seeks the aid Of the
Spanish police in trying to recover
money advanced 90 the swindIers.