Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-11-25
Selett Stfry.
Written for the Baltimore Saturday Night.
HOW I SAVED MY WIFE
AN ADVENTURE IN THE TROPICS.
BY JACKSON.

The sun was fast disappearing, in a
golden bust of transparent beauty, over
the 'Tron Hills" far away in the direction
of that gay little watering place, $50 we'll
known TO many Americans" nesting
amongst the hills in the interior of Cuba.
as seated in the front Of my quarters,
rckety aud dilapidated old concern, which
seemed to have stood the combined lorna
does Of a century, enjoying my Havana,
I gQzed in admiration On the animated
scene going on in the itch Valley, in my
immediate front ; the negroes in their
quaint and varied costumes singing mer-
rily, as the tall and luscious sugar cane
fell quickly before fheir sweeping and
busy mattchetts, the echoes reyerberatipg
through the green and golden orange
groves which skirted the hills, forming
the boundaries of the most beautiful ''Iu-
genio" of which the Queen of the An
TILES can boast.
NV hat study for an artist" remark
ed to the engineer, tall raw boned Scott,
carried away by the empowering beauties
ara'a}sf Il, yes, mrs, 80 ftptfed, sm7fIngiy.
land here comes something for the fore
grouul," pointing as he spoke to a brake
in the cane not more than fifty yards from
us, through which negro mounted on a
mule was coming like mad, throwing his
arms wildly about and shouting furiously
at his chargaf Not hating until within
few feet of where we sat, he threw him
self carelessly from the animal, and caper-
ing toward me, shouted, "a letter for you.
sir" It was not until he had spoken
twice or thrice that was aroused from
my reverie, and turning good naturedly
to the poor fellow, inquired the trouble.
"A letter for you, sir" be said. at the
same time unfolding banana leaf into
which he had carefully placed it, he hand
ed me the document about which he seem
ed to be so proud.
'sThank you, Antonio" I said. tossing
him bit of money, "thank you"
The boy looked grateful, scratched his
wool, and replaced his old torn Sombrero,
remounted, and was gone.
If the old adage, coming events cast
their shdows before" was ever verified, it
was in this case. for Immediately took
the missive from the aegro, presentment
of something wrong took possession of me,
and though Boosting of 10 ordinary amount
Of pluck, | could not master sufficient to
open it.
What if my wife, whom had left
amongst strangers, one word from whom
she could not understand and vice cersa.
had been stricken with fever, what if she
were dead; ave, and buried, for one fol
lows the other quickly here. Ny thoughts
were anything but happy, as quietly
breaking the seal. | read the following ;
'.MATANzAs, Dec. 1S
''SlR On receipt Cfthis you vii. come
quickly here. make no delay, as matters
look serious.
'Eliza-"
The probably >ome sympatbiz
lug foreigner who had called to see her,
had been requested to write, had listened
to her last ords, had closed her eyes In
death-to me was unknown The thought
was maddcning. What was to be done.
''No train till nine tomorrow" said
nv friend, the Scotch engineer, in answer
to my question, sand as for going to-
night" you mast not think Of it you
would never reach there
Il will 60 TO Matanzas tonight"
replied calmly, "should all the ladrone
on the island be on the road.
'Ha hor p 1 Shouted, bring horse
and be quick"
The negro was gone ere | ceased speak
ing, and sood returned, leading hard,
little pony, giving vent to his feelings b,
stating that: ''1odos 1Americaaos elloco !,
"a sentiment shared willingly by his com
panions, who assisted him IN rigging m.
steed.
Twilight was now upon US, and fort
miles of as dangerous road as was eve
travelled by Dick Turpin was before me
The engineer, after endeavoring to dis
suade me from what he termed madness
entered his room and soon returning
placed in my hand his six-shooter re
marking, as be did so, you can Deepen
Oh this, and don't be slow to use it, if 20
reach Matanzas tonight not robbed
murdered, you are lucky, that's all"
With this reassuring speech | mounted
and wavinamy hand in adieu, disappear
ed through the brake Night was fa
closing over me as entered the lit
villa &c of Bermeja about two leagues fro