Of the Calle Del Puente Del Cuervo
The narrative unfolds in a now desolate street once known for a bridge and a notorious figure, Don Rodrigo de Ballesteros, who lived extravagantly with his raven. A former Captain in the Royal Army, he was rewarded with a lucrative position in Mexico, amassing wealth through corrupt practices. Despite his riches, he dressed in rags and was known for his wickedness, openly mocking religious practices and earning the title of "the Excommunicate." His raven, named El Diablo, mirrored his malevolence, causing chaos in his home. When both Don Rodrigo and the raven mysteriously vanished, the Alcalde discovered a desecrated holy image in the bedroom, surrounded by blood and raven feathers. This sacrilege led to the belief that they were condemned to hell for their actions. Following their disappearance, the neighborhood fell into disrepair, as no respectable person would inhabit a place marked by such horror. Over time, the houses crumbled, but it was said that Don Rodrigo and his raven continued to haunt the remnants of their home. A year after their vanishing, locals reported hearing the raven cawing at midnight, signaling its return to the balcony where Don Rodrigo's skeleton awaited, perpetuating the eerie legend. The story concludes with the suggestion that the raven's presence lingers in the street, a testament to the dark history that once thrived there.
By Thomas A. Janvier · First published 1894 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy · 1,902 words
First lines
As you know, Senor, in the street that is called the Street of the Bridge of the Raven, there nowadays is no bridge at all; also, the house is gone in which this Don Rodrigo de Ballesteros lived with his raven in the days when he was alive. As to the raven, however, matters are less certain. My grand-father long ago told me that more than once, on nights of storm, he had heard that evil bird uttering his wicked caws at midnight between the thunderclaps; and a most respectable cargador of my acquaintance has given me his word for it that he has heard those cawings too. Yet if they still go on it must be the raven's spectre that gives voice to them; because, Senor, while ravens are very long-lived birds, it is improbable that they live -- and that much time has passed since these matters happened -- through more than the whole of three hundred years.
What this Textopian page supports
Of the Calle Del Puente Del Cuervo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas A. Janvier, dated 1894 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas A. Janvier
- Date: 1894 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,902 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Of the Calle Del Puente Del Cuervo by Thomas A. Janvier
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Gothic Fiction — The story features dark themes, supernatural elements, and a focus on the macabre, typical of Gothic literature.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, referencing real events and figures from Spanish history.
- Fantasy — The presence of a talking raven and supernatural occurrences align with fantasy genre conventions.
- Horror — The unsettling atmosphere and themes of sacrilege and death contribute to a horror classification.
Tags
mystery · historical fiction · urban setting · Spanish culture · adventure · intrigue · character-driven · narrative style · 19th century · local color · social commentary · romance