Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-13
A THRILLING sTORY,
The following interesting story IS co

1he IolloWlng interesting story IS copied
from late work on Cuba by Mr.. Ballou
During the first year of Tacon's COVER
norship there was a young Creole girl.
named Mlralda Estalez, who kept little
cigar store in the Gale de Mereaderas, and
whose shop was the resort of all the young
men of the town, who loved choicely made
and superior cigar. Miralda was only sew
enteen, with neither father nor mother liy-
ing, and earned an humble though suffc-
lent support by her industry in the manu-
factory we have named, and by the sales of
her little store. She was picture Of ri
pened tropical beauty, with finely round
ed form, lovely face, Of soft, GIVE tint,
4 aud seeeh that Ioscarora might envy her.
At times there was dash of languor in her
dreamy eye, that would have warmed an
anchorlte; and then her cheerful iests were
so delicate yet free, that she had unwitting-
iy turned the heads, not to say hearts, of
half the young merchants in the Gale de
Mercadaras. But she dispensed her favors
without partiality; none of the rich and
gay exquisites of Havana could say they
had ever received any particular acknowl-
edgement from the fair young girl to their
warm and constant attention. For this one
she had pleasant smile, for another few
words OF pleasant gossip, for third, a
snatch OF Spanish song but to none did
she give her confidence, except to young
Pedro Mantanez, fine looking boatman
who piled between the Punta and Moro
Castle, on the opposite side of the harbor.
| Pedro was manly and courageous young
fellow, rather above his class in intelligence,
appearance and associations, and pulled his
oars with strong arm and light heart,
and loved the beautiful Miralda with an
ardor romantic in its fidelity and truth
He was sort of leader among the boatlnen
IN the hsrbor for reason of his superior cul
tlvatioR and intelligence, and his quick-wit-
ted sagacity was often turned for the bene
ut of his comrades Many were the noble
deeds he had done in and about the harbor
since boy, for he had followed his calling
as waterman from boyhood, as his father
had done before him. Miralda in turn ar
IDENTIFY loved Pedro, and when he came at
night and sat in the back part of her little
shop, she had always neat and fragrant
cigar for his lips. Now and then, when
she could steal away from her shop on some
holiday, Pedro would hoist tiny sail in
the PROV of his boat and securing the lit
tie stern awning over Miralda's head, would
steer out into the gulf and coast along the
romantic shore.
There was famous roue, we'll known at
this time in Havana, named Count Almon-
re, VINO had frequently visited Miralda' S
shop and conceived quite passion for the
girl, and, indeed, he had grown to be one
of her most liberal customers. With a
cunning shrewdness and knowledge of hu-
man nature, the Count besieged the heart
of his intended victim without appearing
to do SO, and carried on his plan of opera,
tlons for so many weeks before the innocent
girl even suspected his possessing partial
ity for her, until one day she was surprised
by a present from him of so rare and costly
a nature as to lead her to suspect the donors
intentions at once, and to promptly decline
the offered gift. Undismayed by this, still
the Count continued his profuse patronage
in way to which Miralda could find no
plausible pretext of complaint
At last, seizing upon what he considered
a favorable moment, Count Almonte de-
clared his passion to Miralda, besought her
to come and be the mistress of his broad and
rich estates at Celito, near the city, and of
fered all the promises of wealth, favor, and
fortune; but in vain. The pure-minded
girl scorned his offer, and babe him never
more to insult her by visiting her shop
Abashed, but not confounded, the Count re-
tired, but only to weave new snare where
by he could entangle her, for he was not
one to be so easily thwarted
One afternoon, not long after this, as the
twilight was setting over the town, file Of
soldiers halted just opposite the door of the
little cigar shop, when young man, wear
ing Lieutenant's insignia, entered anG
asked the attendant if her name was Miral
da Estalez, to which she timidly responded
'Then you will please to come with me.
By what authority? asked the trem
bling girl.
The order of the Governor General
FThen | must obey you,' she answered
and prepared to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the young
officer directed his men to march on. and
getting into volante, told Miralda they
would drive to the guard house. But, tx
the surprise of the girl, she soon after dis
covered that they were rapidly passing tht
city gates, aud Immediately after wer,
dashing off on the road to Cerito. Then i
was that she began to fear some trick haC
been played upon her, and these fears wer,
soon confirmed by the volante turning dowr
the long alley of palms that led on to th,
estate of Count Almonte. It was in vail
to expostulate now; she felt that she wa
in the power of the reckless nobleman, ant
the pretended officer and soldiers were hi
own people, who had adopted the disguis
of the Spanish army uniform.
Count Almonte met her at the door, toll
her to fear no violence, that her wishe
should be respected in all things, save he
personal liberty; that he trusted in time
to persuade her to look more favorably upol
him, and that in all things he was he
slave. She replied contemptuously to hi
words, and charged him with the cowardl
trick by which he had gained control .
her liberty. But she was left by herself
thoug gh watched by his orders at all time
to prevent her escape.
She knew very well that the power an
Will OF the Count Almonte were too stron
for any humble friend of hers to thwart
and yet she somewhat felt a consciou
strength in Pedro, and secretly cherishe
the idea that he would discover her place G
confinement, and adopt some means to d.