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