The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-27
Tacon and Cuba


resort of all the young men in town. who love
i a cholcey made and superior cigar. Mirald
was only seventeen, without mother or fatbe
living, and earned an humble though sufficien
support by her industry in the manutactorv W
have named and by the sales of her little store
She was q picture of rpened tropical beauty
with finely rounded form, a lovely face of soft
olive tint, and teeth that a Tuscarora nigh
envy her. At times there was dash of Ian
gor her dreamy eye that would have warmed
an anchorite, and then her cheerful tests wer,
SO delicate, yet free, that she had unwittinel1
turned the heads, not to say hearts, of half the
young Ten in calle de Mercarderas. But sht
dispensed her favors without partatv, none O.
the rich and gay exquisites of Havana coulc
say they have ever received any particular ac
acknowledgement from the fair young girl to thei,
warm and constant attention For tk}sone she
had pleasing smile, for that one few words
OF pleasing gossip, and for third snatch of g
Spanish song, but to none did she give her con,
hdence, except to young Pedro aIantanez, a
fine looking boatman, who piled between the
punta and Moro Castle, on the opposite side oI
the harbor.
Pedro vas manly courageous YOUNG fellow
rather above his class in intelligence, appear-
ance 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 boatmen in the harbor for reason Of
his superior cultivation and intelligence and his
qulck-wltted sagaclty was often turned for the
oeneht OF his comrades. Many were the noble
deeds he had done in and about the harbor since
a boy, for he had followed his calling of water
ma2 from boyhood, as his father had done be-
tore him. Mralda, in return, ardently loved
Pedro, and when he came at night and sat in
the back part of her shop, she had always
neat and fragrant cigar for his lips Now and
then, when she could steal away ifom her shop
on some holiday, Pedro would hoist tiny sail
IN the bow of his boat, and securing the little
stern awning over Mralda's head, would steer
out into the gulf, and coast along its beautiful
and romantic shore.
TbSre was a famous roue, well known at this
time in Havana, named count Amonte, who
had frequently visited Miralda's shop, and scon-
celved quite passion for the girl, and indeed,
had grown to be one Of her most liberal Gus
toners. With cunning shrewdncss and
knowledge OF human nature, the count besieged
the heart of his intended victim without appear
ing to do SO and carried on his plan of opera
tons for many weeks before the innocent girl
essen. suspected his possessing partiaSty for
her; until one day she was surprised " pre-
sent 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 proffered eft.
Undisfnayed by this, still the count continued
his profuse patronage in way to which Mi
raj ind ~ of 1,,,
Atlast, seizing upon what he considered ia
vorable moment, count Amonte declared his
passion to Miralda, besought her to come and
be the mistress Of his broad and rich estate at
Celito, near the city, and offered all the promi-
scs of wealth, favor and fortune-but in vain q
The pure minded girl scorned his Offer and
bade him n&ver more to insult her by visiting
her shop? Abashed, but not confounded, the
count retired, but only to weave new snare
whereby he could entangle her, for he was not
one to be easily Shwarted.
One afternoon, notlong after this, as the twi-9 =
light was setting over the town, a file of SOL
dlers halted just opposite the little cigar shop,
when young man.. wearing lieutenant's in
sigma, entered and asked the attenda1c if her
name was Miralda Estalez, to which she timidlv
responded in the affirmative.
"Then please come with me-"
"By what authority, sir?" asked the trem
bling girl.
1.-The order of the governor general, " replied
The stranger
"Then must obey you, sheaanswered, and
prepared to follow him.
Stepping to the door with her, the young Off
GER directed his men to march on and getting
nto volante, told Miralda they would drive .
@ the guard-house. But to the surprise of the
girl, she soon after discovered that they were
passing the city gates, and Immediately after
we're dashing off rapidly on the road to Cerito
Then she began to fear thahsome trick had been
played upon her, and these fears were soon con-
irmed by the volante turning down the long ale
ey Of palms that lead to the estate of count
Almonte. 1t was in vain to expostulate now,
he felt that she was in the power of the reck
ess nobleman, and the pretended officer and SOL
liers were his own people, who had adopted the
lisguise of the Spanish army uniform
Count Amonte met her at the door, told her
o fear no violence, that her wishes should be
espected in all things, save her personal liher
les-that he trusted, in time, to persuade her
o look more favorably upon him, and that in
II things he was hef slave She replied con-
to his words, and charged him with
he cowardly trick by which he had gained con- {
rol of her liberty. But she was left by herself,
hough watched by his orders at all times to
revent her escape.
She knew very we'll that the power and will
count Almonte were too strong for any hum :,
lie friend of hers to attempt to thwart- yet :
he somehow felt conscious strength in Pedro
nd secretly cherished the idea, that he would I
iscover the place of her confinement, and adopt c
ONE means to delivor her.
The stiletto is the constant companion of the t
,wer classes and Miralda had been used to l
ear one even in her store against contingency I
but she now regarded the tiny weapon with t
ecular satisfaction, land slept with it securely in
er bosom!
Small the was clue by which Pedro Mantanez 1
the trick of count Almonte First
lis was found out, then that circumstance, land +
'ese, being put together, led to other results, n
ntil the indefatigabe lover was at last satisfied Il
lat he had discovered her place of confinement,
isguised as a friar of the order of San Felipe. t
: sought count A]monte's gates at favorable S
IL, oh 1ar, a. l.