Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-27
THE YOUNG CUBAN,

The YOUNG CUBAN.
n One evening, just after the eight
o'clock gun had fired, I was seated in
the Cafe Fernando, in the Gale de Santa
Maria, Havana, smoking Spanish CT
garitti and watching the crowd of per-
sons passing in and out, or pacing up
and down the hall, In that earnest, con-
versational manner which characterizes
the Spaniard.
I sat quietly smoking when young
standardization Ihad seen in the United
States-passed my table. | at once pro-
nounced his name. He stopped, and,
after regarding me for an instant, q
bright, warm smile of recognition lighted
up his fine countenance, and he sprang
forward, and clasped me in his hands,
while he expressed, most cordially, his
pleasure at meeting me again.
He took seat by me, and after [ had
told him how long [ had been in Cuba,
and where [ was living, he answered my
inquiries by informing me that he lived
within half league of the walls with
his mother, and that his house was at
my service as much as if it were my own
offer, we talked of our former school
mates, for we had been at school to-
gether near Boston.
Young Carlos de Armas had been pop
ular with us. He was of slight figure,
but perfectly symmetrical, with the most
elegant shaped hand and foot [ ever be-
held. His hair was as glossy black as
the ravens wing, and flowed with sill
very beauty about his neck His fea-
lures We're delicately chiseled, and full
of expression and energetic beauty.
"You will 90 out with me to-mor-
rowT' he asked. II remain in tonight
to attend the opera, where you must go
with me. [ will take no refusal, M
amigo AmeTicanon' he added, with his
captivating smile, as he laid his ieweled,
olive-colored hand upon my arm.
| was about to consent, for l had
come to Havana for my health, which,
having been entirely restored in that
delicious cline, had few days leisure
before [ contemplated returning to the
states. But as | was in the act of reply
ing, richly dressed officer Of middle age
and naughty air came in, attended by
several young officers, glittering in gold
table, and as the officer was looking
around to see where he could find seat
for himself and party, his eye fell on me,
whose complexion and blue eyes (and
national air, doubtless), stamped me as
an American.
"Here is table, gentlemen he said,
striking his hand on my table, by way of
taking possession of it. "This is an
American, and ought to be in prison in
stead of being permitted to so at large
here"
Thss was all spoken in Spanish, and so
grossly, that [ felt my eye flash, and my
blood boil. I had half risen, previously,
in order to leave with Carlos, but I now
resumed my seat, quietly resolved that ]
would not resign to rudeness what ]
might have yielded to courtesy, and had
he properly approached me.
1T is the General -! I beg of
you, do not resent, for he is capable of
doing you mischief Yield quietly, my
friend. Havana is not Boston"
This was said to me very rapidly, in an
undertone, by Carlos, whose naturally
brave soul was inundated by the tyran-
nical power which crushes everything
noble In Cuba.
Is the Yankee going to moveT' de-
manded the officer, fiercely
Several Spaniards, who were seated at
the little tables about, sprang to their
feet and servilely offered him the places
they had occupied. But he bowed neg.
atively to their obsequious proffers, and
fixed his glance upon me, as if expecting
that would cringe before him, like the
Cubans. | quietly sat smoking, and
tried to induce Carlos to reseat himself
But he was disposed to conceal his &C
quaintance with me, and withdrew from
the table, losing himself in the crowd
that was gathering around.
Finding that I remained seated, the
general ordered one of his aides to re
move me. As he extended his hand tt
fasten his grasp upon my collar, drew
revolver and deliberately aimed at hi
heart. There was a general retrogradt
motion of the party. Some one behind
me wounded me with the point of {
! sword. [ turned and fired, and the1
making circular sweep with my pisto
around me, [ took advantage of the
space which / had cleared to wall
through it and quit the coffee house
leaving behind me the fercest uproar.
I had no sooner reached the street thar
Don Carlos hurried past me, saying as ht
did SO, in my ear:
ely! Conceal yourself! He has sen
me for file of soldiers to arrest you