Of the Calle De La Joya by Thomas A. Janvier

What this street was called, in very old times, Senor, no one knows: because the dreadful thing that gave to it the name of the Street of the Jewel happened a long, long while ago. It was before the Independence. It was while the Viceroys were here who were sent by the King of Spain.

In those days there lived in this fine house at the corner of the Calle de Mesones and what since then has been called the Calle de la Joya -- it is at the northwest corner, Senor, and a biscuit-bakery is on the lower floor -- a very rich Spanish merchant: who was named Don Alonso Fernandez de Bobadilla, and who was a tall and handsome man, and gentle-mannered, and at times given to fits of rage. He was married to a very rich and a very beautiful lady, who was named Dona Ysabel de la Garcide y Tovar; and she was the daughter of the Conde de Torreleal. This lady was of an ardent and a wilful nature, but Don Alonso loved her with a sincerity and humored her in all her whims and wants. When they went abroad together -- always in a grand coach, with servants like flies around them -- the whole City stood still and stared!