The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-04-11
RICARDO AND CARMTTA.

hlCAhDO AND CARMITA.
In the beginning of September, 1868
Senor Gomeza and his wife, with theil
daughter, the lovely Carmita, accompa.
MED by her betrothed, the jOUen, Ri.
cardO ArguillOs, were seated upon the
stone benches in the Plaza de Garlic,
of Trinidad de Cuba. They were en-.
joying the music discoursed by the mil.
itary band, which performed there three
times a week.
No one who has not seen, can have
any conception of a plaza or public
square in Cuba. Imagine a cactus, the
leaves of which will easily support 6
idea of the extraordinary growth that
vegetation attains under a tropical sun.
The plaza is divided into four small
er squares, occupying its respective cor
ners. In each square a fountain con-
tinually dispenses its silver spray.
Flowers of fragrant perfume and gor-
geous colOrs, growing upon massive
stems intOXicates the senses.
On the evening upon which our
story opens, the retretG being open, a
large concourse promenaded in the
Plaza Garlic. An unusual excitement
prevailed. The old senors carried grave
countenances, and standing in groups,
discussed, in low tones, something of
absorbing interest. But when a mem
ber of the Guardia Civil approached,
conversation was Immediately hushed.
The iovens were, if possible, more ex-
cited at least were more demonstra-
tive, and had it not besn for the admon-
ishing of their elders, might have
brought disastrous consequences upon
themselves.
"But you do not believe it Ricardo ?'
said Carmita. 1t is an invention of
our enemies, the officers of the army. -
81 do not believe the story of the dis
covery of this paper. But / might as
well say to you, and to you, Senior and
Sonora, that perhaps in very short
time we, the youths of Cuba, will be
called upon to fight; yes, to fight to
the deaths"
"Pstu p warned Senor Gomeza, ere
member where You are, chico. | fear
that this night will bring trouble to
some of us. never witnessed such ir-
repressible excitement in public place.
l have been watching these young men
pointing to a group. ] understand
their gestures, and if the music did not
prevent, could hear their words. 1 am
astonished at the apparent apathy of
the Guardia Civil, who seem not to
comprehend that anything unusual is
the topic tonight
1t is growing late shall we not re-
tnrn home ?" said Sonora Gomeza
We will, replied her husban " I
do not wish to see any one molested for
his foolish bravado"
The news that had reached Trinidad,
and so exercised her inhabitants, was
that a negress in Manzanillo, carrying
a watermelon, had dropped the latter,
from which rolled bottle labeled vino,
and addressed to a prominent citizen in
Yara. Tho Perfecto de Police, happen
ing to be near, picked mp the bottle,
and found that it contained, in lieu of
vino, papers which expressed the trea-
son of three citizens who had hitherto
stood high IN the confidence of the
government. The negress (who was
free) said that a gentleman had given
her "un real fuerte to carry the mel
on, which contained bottle of rum in
tended for soldier in the barracks :;
that a negro would meet her, to whom,
upon pronOuncing Espana, she should
deliver it. This was all. The names
were for the present withheld, but dire
Vengeance was anticipated
Some in Trinidad pooh-poohed the
whole affair. Others, long suffering
from the insolence of the soldiery,
feared that this was an invention to be
used as a pretext for more insolence
and more indignities. A third party
exchanged looks, the determination of
oh nN 10 lN.o, koIr
ed signs. which appeared to indicate
that some movement was on foot.
On the 10th of October following,
Cespedes, with his sixteen followers,
proclaimed "Cuba libre.
In December, Ricardo went to bid
farewell to his beloved and her parents.
The patriot army had already swelled
to proportions not to be despised-at
least, so thought the Spanish govern
ment, who had ordered an increase of
her already large army of $4,000 men.
Rlcardo's movements were necessarily
very stealthy. With his good slave.
JarjOn, he was to join a number of
young men, who were to meet with
their horses under the Paseo, Just out
side the town, for an apparent moon
light ride. From thence they were to
make a dash for the mountains, expect
ing soon to reach the patriot army.
Under the circumstances of this last
visit, Ricardo was permitted to embrace
Carmita. In doing so, he held her
hands, and, raising his eyes heaven
ward, he said
"Great God, hear me Iswear by
her, who is my most beloved of earth,
that 1 will not marry until Cuba is free
until not one detested Spanish soldier
remains upon the Island and may she
be faithful if / forget my VOWS to our
beloved Cuba ibre This is my great
est sacrifice"
They were to have been married be-
fore the coming Lenten fast, and poor
Carmita was almost inconsolable. In
turning rebel, Ricardo had exposed the
estates of his family to confscation,
and all persons communicating with
them to similar misfortunes. He was,
therefore, dead to her, until the much
hoped for "Cuba hbre should be an
fact.
Animated by patriotism and the hope
of recognition as belligerents by the
the United States, the Cubans had
sacrificed their all upon the altar of
their country.
1t was impossible to receive any cor
rect accounts of engagements. Accord
ing to Spanish papers, before the rebel
lion was year and half old, enough
Cubans had been slain to depopulate
the island. Nevertheless more and more
troops had been ordered, from Spain
to conquer the movement " which was
so trihing.
Juntas were formed in the United
States for the purpose of raising sup
plies. There was money in abundance
in Cuba. They sought only a market
to expend it in exchange for arms and
ammunition. Expeditions were sent ont,
some of which landed successfully, but