The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-04-11
BY HORsLEY BROS. & FIGUERs

~ i'll Il
enemy or prohibited by the United
States government from starting.
Cuba is not Free She has thus far
failed to receive the expected encour-
agement from the United States. Al
though this circumstance has prevented
the attainment of her hopes, she has
not abandoned them. Nor has Spain
conquered the rebellion, for still a pa
triot army exists.
Two years of absence had accomplish
ed sad changes in the family of Ricar-
do. His father was imprisoned with
out trial. His mother died from
stroke of palsy soon after On hearing
of this, the old gentleman sunk rapidly,
and death also relieved him of his suf-
ferings. The two sisters had accepted
the escort of other refugees, and left
for the United States.
Carmita's father had thus far evaded
Spanish vengeance. She had no broth
ers. One evening her father insisted
upon her having a drive upon the
Paseo. She had become so pale and
emaciated as to become scarcely recog-
nizable as the lovely creature whom we
had seen in the Plaza GARLIC but two
short years previously. They were
moving along in the line of the vOlantes,
when a decrepit negro woman carrying
a basket of fruit on her head, signaled
them to stop, dexterously exhibiting a
lock of hair and riband. Carmita sup
pressed a scream. Her father ordered
the driver to rein out for the purpose
of buying the fruits. The negress
handed letter to Carmita, when they
ha3tened home, for it was only there
that it was safe to read it.
AS the reader has guessed, the letter
was from Ricardo. The negress was
JariOn in disguise, who, exerting great
tact and perseverance, had been able
to make his way to the envirous of
Trinidad, in the hope of meeting with
some of Ricardo's family or friends. He
had been so fortunate as to see Carmita,
and deliver his message. He had agreed,
in the short interview with her father,
to come the following day with fruits to
his house, when an answer would be in
readiness.
A severe wound had almost disabled
Ricardo from writing, Dut he made use
ofthis opportunity to acquaint his friends
concerning his whereabouts and condi-
ton.
On the following morning Jarion
came, but not bearing any resemblance
to that individual. Imagine his sur
prise when his summons was answered
by negro woman WHO declared her in
tentiOn as accompanying him to his
journeys end, to answer in person Ri
cardo's letter.
- loI h. Ho, 1-o,-, 11,oJ
upon her parents to allow her to go to
the army and nurse her wounded lover,
and those who might needh her assistance.
She argued that had not many noble wo-
men in America and elsewhere done
likewise? And was it more improper
for her than they? Would not God
care for her as for them? Who so need
ed kinder care than the wounded of the
struggling, unfriended patriot army of
Cuba.
Although such course of action was
contrary to all social laws and customs
of Cuba, SenOr Gomeza and his wife
saw that if their daughter should be
disappointed in her present state of en-
thusiasm that the worst results might be
anticipated. They therefore commend
ed her to God, and with their blessings
suffered her to depart. Her disguise
was such as to enable her to convey
upon her person much that was neces-
sary to the stock and outfit of a nurse
Their disguises were well chosen, being
the safest for foot travel across the
country in these times.
They made but slow progress, and
many times Carmitas 5 delicate limbs al
most failed to carry her. They pass
through the desolated village of Las
Tunis. This had been burned by the
patriots. Here and at Bayamo women
had fired their own houses when it was
feared that they would be captured by
the Spaniards. Fine pOtreros (cattle
farms) were Overrun and laid waste.
Indeed the country of the interior,
through which they passed, showed the
fearful ravages of war. They arrived
at the patriot camp near Bayamo on the
ninth day. On giving the word they
passed the guards, and reached the
headquarters of Cespedes. Here Jarion
introduced Carmita and told his COM
mander of her mission. The latter re-
ceived her kindly, and perceiving her
sinking condition, ordered his servant
to prepare for her the best that the
camp afforded. She wanted nothing
but to see Ricardo if he lived, She
was conducted to him in the hospital
tent, after hastily removing the black
from her features. The found him only
alive. His eyes were glazed, his limbs
composed. The attendant stood by,
moistening his lips, patiently waiting
for the last. Carmita entered. and was
about sinking on her knees by the pa
tient, when Ricardo raised himself up,
threw his arms around her, and saying
"I waited for you" and expired. Car
mita swooned, falling upon the corpse
of her intended husband. One deadly
faint followed another until morning
when the sad attendant found that she
had gone to join Ricardo in the land of
her fathers.
Dulce est pro 1OGtrjG nlOTi. When
will the "Queen of the Antilles, cease to
be the most oppressed of nations? DiO
,COho