Our Little Spanish Cousin

of all he was to do and see during his holiday. He and Juanita were very much excited in preparing their nacimento, which nearly every Spanish child has at C

e patient ox and ass who were his first worshippers. Juanita was wild with excitement as these were all grouped

of course, early Mass in the great cathedral, where the choir sang divinely. It started way up in the loft to sing the Adeste Fideles, the Church's Christmas hymn for cent

ter, the sereno who walks the street all night with his lantern, trying your door to see if it is locked properly, and assuring you that all is well as the hours strike,-all must be remembered. Then t

all the year. The wind sweeps down from the Sierras and brings with it a blustering hint of mountain snows; and as the

that it blesses all who lie beneath it; but when the dark days come or evening's m

Year's Day, and is celebrated with much festivity in Spain. The evening before there is a grand party for the grown-ups, and slips of paper are passed around, one being drawn by each person. They are in pairs, so that the one who draws number one mus

w, wondering whom they would first meet, for they think in Spain that what happens to you on New Year's Day will determine the course of t

the feast of the Epiphany, Fernando and Juanita set their little shoes on their balcony with a wisp of straw to feed the Magi's horses, and with many surmises as to what they would find in them on the morrow. What wonderful things there were! Fernando had all the things that b

e stood a wonderful little donkey, his bridle decorated with streaming ribbons and bells, his kind eyes blink

ed her tiny hands with delight. It took Fernando but a moment t

ince of Granada rode too fast through the st

to hurt him; that is why I selected him." And he placed Juanita up behind her

hat he must play no tricks when Juanita rode him, and he behaved himself well; but when Fernando rode, it was quite another matter. Babieca would prick up his long ears and go along quietly, then stop suddenly without saying "by your leave," and, of course,

HAD SUCH ANIMALS DROVE THEM DO

All the people of the town who had such animals drove them down to the church to be blessed and to get a barley wafer. Many of the animals were gaily decorated with streamers and ribbons, and some with flowers; and all along the streets small booths were set up containing little images

er, as "all things come to him who will but wait," the great day arrived at last, and Fernando was wild with joy. Carnival time is just before the beginning of Lent, and is a season of great merriment. Under a turquoise sky, with no clouds to mar its fairness, there is a pageant almost like th

ed carriages, the wonderful costumes; monks, nuns, generals, court ladies, flowers, animals, all are represented,-all are laughing and throwing confetti right and left. Children are selling confetti, crying shrilly, "Confetti, five centimos a packet. Showers of a million colours! Only a perro Chico!"[10] Ah, how gay and d

where his brow was marked with ashes according to custom, and gazed longingly at the Entierro de la sardina, a bit of pork the size and

pressed at supper tha

ouble, little s

id. "But it is so

mile. "Do your work with a will, and the days will pass quic

asked, and Juanita cried, ea

to see the grand Easter festival, and we shall see your brother and sister as

oth, joyously, at the tho