The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-11-17

t
old story 10 related BY Mr.. BaIlou, in his late
History of Cuba. II the sketch is strictly
true, il will 60 far to alone for the many
erue.tss which have been charged against
T'ucon.
During the first year Of Tacon's gov
ernorship in Cuba, young Creole gil,
aarned Miralda Estates, kept little cl-
gar shop in the Guile der Mercaderes and
her chop was the resort Of all the youn 6
mon Of the town who loved choicely-
nude and superior cigur. Mitalda was
seventeen, wiihou, mother or father liv>
ing, aud earned a humble though suffi-
Glen, supporby her industry in iie manu'
factory we have named, and by the sales oi
her little store. She was picture ofripen-
cd tropical beauty, with fine form, a
lovely face OF soft, olive tint, and teeth
that Tuscarora nigh. envy. AT times
,hete vas dash Of lunguor in her dreamy
eve ,ha, would have warmed an ancho-
File;and then her cheerful jests were 80
delicate, yet free, that she had unwt-
.inply turned the heads, not 10 say hearts,
Of half the young merchants in the Gale
der Mercaderes. But she dispensed her
savors wi,hou. Partially; none oflhe rich
and gay exquisi,es of Havana could suy
they had ever received any particular &C.
acknowledgement from the fair young girl
to lhoir warm aud constant attention.
For this one she had pleasant smile,
for another few words OF pleasing gos.
sip, and for third a snatch of a Spanish
song; bu, to none did she give her con-
fdence except to young Pedro Manianez,
fine looking boatman, who piled be-
tween the Pun,a aud Nero Castle on the
Opposite side Of the harbor.
Pedro was manly and courageous
Young fellow, rather bove hs class in
intelligence, appearance and associations,
and pulled his oars with a strong arm and
ligh. heart, and loved the beautiful
Miralda with an atlor romantic in its f.
deity aHa truth. Ifg was soft Of lead
or among tho boatmen in tie harbor by
\ , =. -
reason Of his superior cultivation aud in
te!igence, and his quick.witted sagacity
was often used for the benefi Of his
comrades. Many were the noble deeds
he had done III and about the harbor since
boy, for he had followed his calling of
a waterman from boylood, os his faith
or had done before him. Mralda in inrn
ardenlly loved Pedro, and when he came
q, night and sat in the back part of her
little shop, she had always neat End
fragran, cigar for his lips. Now and
then, when she could steal away from
her shop, on sama holiday, Pedro would
hoist a tiny sail in 'he prov OF his boat,
and securing the little stern awning over
Miralda's head, would scar out into the
gulfand coast along the romantic shore,
There was a famoas roue, we'll known
st this time in Havana, named Count al.
monte, who had frequently visited Mi
rralda's shop ard conceived quite pass,
ion for the giil and indeed, he had grown
to be one Of her most liberal customers
Witha cunning shrewdness aud know'-
edge OF human nature, the Count be-
siegcd the heart Of his intended victim
without his sppssriDg TO do so, and car
ried on bis plan of operation, for many
weeks before the innocent girl even sus-
pecied his possessing parsiality for her,
until one day she was surprised by o
present from him Of SO rare and costly o
nature Us 10 lead her 10 suspect the do
nors intentions at once, and TO promptly
decline the preferred gih. Undismayed
by this, still the Count continued his pro-
fuse patronage in a WY 70 which Mi
rilda could find no plausible pretext Of
complaint.
A, last, seizing upon what he consid-
cred favorable moment, Count Almonte
declared his passion to Miralda, besought
her 10 come and bs the mistress of his
broad and rich estates at Cerite, near The
city, and offered all ,he promises Of
wealth, favor and fortune; butin vain -
The pure minded girl scorned his offer,
and bade him never more to insul, her
by visiting her shop. Abashed but NOT
Confounded, the Count retired, but only
10 weave new snare whereby he could
eniansle her, for he wasInot one TO be so
easily .hwafted. .ls i /
One afternoon, nollong al,er this, as
tie twilight was setting over the Town, a
file ofsoldiers hailed just opposite the