Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-06-14

parlOfS Tor lcVee 1Or Abigail. wen
among the people; ext President Fillmor
Judge Hall and many prominent citizen
attended. We collected over $1,000 fo
her in these rooms. I had written a
article and published it in the Commercial
Advertiser; it found its way down t
Quebec, where the Canadian Parliamen
was sitting. 1t was read by permission
of the Speaker, Committee was appoint
ed to investigate the facts; and, whel
found to be true, the Government CAV
Abigail 100 acres of land near Port Rowan
where she now lives.
THE YOUNG CUBAN.
One evening, just after the eight o cloc]
gun had fired, i was seated in the Cafe Fer
nando, in the Gale de Santa Maria, Ha
vana, smoking a Spanish cigaritti, ant
watching the crowd ofpersons passing il
and out, or pacing up and down the hal
in that earnest, conversational manne
which characterizes the Spaniard.
l sat quietly smoking when youn:
Spaniard-w whom l had seen in the Unitet
States-passed my table. at once pro
nounccd his name. He stopped, and
after regarding me for an instant, a bright
warm smile of recognition lighted up hi
fine countenance, and he sprang forward
and claspcd me in his hands, while h,
expressed, most cordially. his pleasure a
meeting me again.
He took a seat by me, and after I hac
told him how long I had been in Cuba
and where was living, he answered my
inquiries by informing me that he livec
withi-l half league of the walls with hi:
mother. and that his house was at my
service as much as if it were my own
Having thanked him for his hospitable
offer, we talked of our former school.
mates; for we had been at school together
near Boston.
Young Carlos de Armas hand been
popular with us. He was Of slight
figure: but perfectly symmetrical, with
the most elegant shaped hand and foot l
ever bche!d. His hair was as glossy
black as the ravens wing, and flowed
with silvery beauty about his neck. His
features were dclicately chiseled, and
full of expression and energetic beauty.
"You will 60 out with me Tomorrow
he asked. ~ remain in tonight, to at
tend the opera, where you must go with
me. I will take no refusal, mi amigo
Ansericono!" he added, with his captivat-
ing smile, as he laid his jeweled, olive-col-
orcd hand upon my arm.
I was about to consent, for had come
to Havana for my health, which. having
been entirely restored in this delicious
cline, had some days leisure before l
contemplated returning to the States.
But as was in the act of replying, rich
ly dressed officer of middle age and
naughty air came in, attended by several
young officers, glittering in gold and
plumes. There was no vacant table, and
as the officer was looking around to see
where he could find seat for himself and
party, his eyes fell on me, whose CON-
plexion and blue eyes land national
air, doubtless), stamped me as an Amcri-
can.
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
instead of being permitted to go at large
here"
This 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 l now
resumed my seat, quietly resolved that
would not resign to rudencss what ight
have yielded to courtesy, and had he
properly approached me.
1T is the General --! l 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
undertonc. by Carlos, whose naturally
brave soul was intimidated by the
tyrannical power which brushes every
thingnoblc in Cuba.
Is the Yankee going to moye!" de
manded the officer, tiercely.
"Seyeral Spaniards, who were seated
at the little tables about, sprang to their
feet and servilcly offered him the places
they had occupied. But he bowed me-
gativcly to their obsequious proffers, and
fixed his glance upon me, as if expecting
that l would cringe before him, like the
Cubans. Iquietly sat smoking, and tried
to induce Carlos to rcscat himself. But
he was disposed to conceal his acquaint-
ance with me, and withdrew from the
table. losing himself in the crowd that
was gathering around.
Finding that l remained seated, the
general ordered one of his aides to re-
move me. AS he extended his hand to
fasten his grasp upon my collar I drew
my revolver and deliberately aimed at
his heart. There was general retrograde
motion of the party. Some one behind
me wounded me with the point of sword
l turned and fired, and then making a
circular sweep with my pistol around me,
l took advantage of the space which had
cleared 10 walk through it and quit the
coffee house, leaving behind me the
fercest uproar.
| had no sooner reached the street than
Don Carlos hurried past me, saying, as he
did SO, in my ear;
"Fly! Conceal yourself! He has sent
for file of soldiers to arrest you. Fol-
low me. and / will show you place of
safety
placed myself under the protection of
my friend Carlos, who led the way across
eplaza to a narrow street, which we en-.
cred and traverscd for some distance
through the darkness. At length We came
to small shop, over the low door of
which was cigar box for sign. The
shutters were closed, but faint thread of
light streamcd through the creviccs of the
"Here is the shop of Pedro Alva," said
my friend; he is cigar roller, whom I
had be friended when sick, and who is at
tached to me. You will be safe here, as
he may be trusted"
He knocked on the shutter, and repeat
ed the name of the occupant of the hum
bic tenement.
"Quien Ia? Quten esta?" responded
hoarse voice within.
We heard an exclamation Of satisfac-
ton, and the half leaf of a door was pushed
cautiously outward. The light from with
in showed him the face of De Armas, and
he quickly threw the door wide and adj
mitted us.
Nov, shut, bar and lock. good Pedro"
said De Armas, aiding him.
Pedro, who was short dark visaged
Spaniard, with an enormous gray mus
tache, iron spectacles, and bald head