Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-22
EVENING STAR,
GOV. TAcoN AND THE CIGAR GIRL

/ - u Il Z - N q
GOV. TACoN AND THE CIGAR GIRL.
During the first year of Tacon's gov.
ernorship in Cuba, a young Creole girl
named Miralda Estates, kept little cica,
shop In the Gale des Mercaderes. and
her shop was the resort of all the young
of the town who loved a choicely made
and superior cigar. Miralda was only
seventeen, without father or mother liy.
ing, and earned an humble though suffi.
cient support by her industry in the
mandatory we have named, and by the
sales of her store.
She was picture of ripened tropical
beauty, with a finely rounded form, a
lovely face of a soft olive tint, and teeth
that Tuscarora might envy. At times
there was dash of languor in her eve
that would have warmed an anchorite ;
and then her cheerful iests were so deli
cate, yet free, that she had unwittinglv
turned the heads, not to say hearts, of
half the young merchants in the Gale
des Mercaderes But she dispensed her
favors without partiality none of the
rich and gay exquisiteS of Havana could
say they had ever received any particular
acknowledgment from the fair young
girl to their warm and constant atten-
tons. For this one she had pleasant
smile, for another she had a few words
pleasing gossip. and for third snatch
of Spanish song but to none did she
give her confidence ; except to young
Pedro Matanzes, fine looking boatman,
who piled between the Punta and Moro
Castle, situated 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 q strong arm
and light heart, and loved the beauti-
full Miralda with an ardor romantic and
truthful. He was sort of leader among
the boatmen in the harbor, for reason Of
his superior cultivation and intelligence,
and his quick-witted sagacity was often
turned for the benefit of his comrades.
Many were the noble deeds be had done
and about the harbor since a boy, for he
had followed his calling of waterman
from bOyhoOd, as his fathers had done
before him.
Miralda in turn ardently loved Pedro.
and when he cane 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 pro "
of his boat, and securing the little stern
awning over Miralda's s head, would steer
out into the gulf and coast along the ro =
mantle shore.
There was famous roue, well known
at this time in Havana, named Coun.
Almonte, who had conceived a passion
for the girl, and, indeed, he had grown
to be one of her most liberal customers.
With cunning and shrewdness, and
knowledge of human nature, the Count
besiged the heart of his intended victim
without appearing to do so, and carri, d
on his plan of operations for many weeks
before the innocent girl even suspected
his possessing partiality for her, until
one day she was surprised by present
from him of so rare and costly a nature
as to lead her to suspect the donors ia.
tentons towards her, and to promptly
decline the proflered gift. UndiSmayed
by this, still the Count continued his
pro!use patronage in a way to which Nil
ralda could find no plausible pretext OF
complaint.
At last, Seizing upon what he cOnSid-
cred favorable moment, Count Almonte
declared his passion to Miralda, besought
her to come and be the mistress of his
broad and rich estates at Cerite, near the
city, and offered all the promises of
wealth, favor and fortune-but in vain.
The pure minded girl scorned his offer,
and badc him never more insult her by
visiting her shop. Abashed, but not
confounded, the Count retired but only
to weave a new snare whereby he could
entangle her, for he was not to be easily
thwartcd.
One afternoon, not long after this, as
the twilight was settling over the town,
file of soldiers halted just opposite the
door Of the little cigar shop, when a
young man, wearing heutenant's in
sigma, entered and asked the attendant
if her name was Miralda Estates, TO
which she timidly responded.
Then you will please come with
me-"
by what authority" asked the girl.
"The order of the Governor General.
"Then l must obey you," she an
swered and prepared to follow him at
Stcpfsg to the door with her, the
young officer directed his men to march
on, and, getting into volante. told Mi
ralda they would drive to the guard
house. But to the surprise of the girl,
she soon after discovered that they were
rapidly passing the city gates, and i'm
mediately after were dashing off on the
road to Cerite. Then it was she began
to fear that some tricks had been played
upon her; ard these fears were soon
confirmed by the volante's turning down
the long alley Of palms that led TO the
estate Of Count Almonte. 1t was in
vain to expOStulate now; she felt that
she was ia the power of the reckless no.