Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-07-26
wanted them to sec everything that went

| Steub ny uttyllgnL
Along the middle Of the night when waa
sure that everything was quiet, turned out,
and, securing the basket, hurried back to my
room, where removed some of the food and
put the Cuban's bag in its stead and again
returned the basket 70 the cabin table
All the time could hear the footsteps Of
the officer who was on watch pacing the
deck overhead, but as there was no light in
the cabin | had no fear of being detected.
In the morning everything worked as had
expected; / went over into the boat in which
were two of my men, and the steward handed
down the basket; waving an adieu to the OFF.
GERS we pulled away across the bay.
When well over to the eastern shore took
! the bag out of the basket and changed the
course Of the boat so as 60 land on the out
skirts of the city,
Reaching the shore l instructed my men to
pull for the cave where they would meet the
other captains and deliver the basket to Them
and say that business had called me 70 town,
but would join them some time during the
day"
A few minutes later / was seated in a vo-
lante Cuban carriage) and was being driven
slowly Ia Cuban team will never travel FAST
| in the direction Of tho Plaza di POGO.
Turning into the square, in the center Of
which were growing rare and beautiful
plants, ! observed several policemen and
Spanish soldiers lounging about but as one
cannot take fifty steps in any Cuban city
without meeting one or more of these ser
wants of the crown, | paid but little attention
to their presence.
|, however, ordered the carriage to stop
several doors from>the house Of which was
in search, and, after dismissing the driver, l
proceeded on foot.
Number thirteen differed little from its
neighbors save an unusual air Of quiet by
which it seemed to be surrounded: it had the
same large iron gateway leading into the in
closed area peculiar Co all Cuban houses: the
same long, barred, open windows, but, like
the majority, those were furnished with close
blinds, which effectually precluded the
passerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse
of the interior Of the dwelling.
Approaching the gate l raped loudly with
the ponderous knoclier and my summons was
quickly answered by an old man who took in
my whole dimensions before dropping tho
fastenings Of she gate, and then not until
had repeated the name Of Roderiquez Coma
lez, IL Plaza di POGO, several times
Finally, appearing satisfied that had
right TO call, he opened the gate just far
enough for me to squeeze in, and then, after
again securing the fastenings, he led the way
across paved court in the center of which
was playing a miniature fountain, into a
large, cool room, and from thence into an
other which was quite dark, but as my eyes
became accustomed to the gloom could see
that it was chamber nicely furnished, and
upon a couch in the middle of the apartment
was the outline of recumbent form which
started up at our approach.
Ny guide spoke few words in Spanish
and then retired, while the person upon the
couch arose and, throwing open one of the
blinds, allowed a stream Of light to enter the
apartment, and by its aid l could see that
was in the presence OF a fine looking gentle
man somewhat past the meridian Of life but
with a tall figure still erect and with eyes
that flashed out brightly from beneath pair
Of gray brows.
Turning he addressed me in his native
tongue, only few words of which / could
understand, but by those few know he babe
me welcome and inquired the object of my
visit.
replied in English asking if l had the
pleasure of speaking TO Senior Roderiquez
Gonzalez.
II ann he, z he returned in English, which
had but a slight accent "In what can l
serve your
Before l could respond his eyes fell upon
the bag. Instantly his whole manner
changed. Involuntary he sprang forward !
and reached cut his hand as if TO grasp it, |
and then collecting himself he looked search
ingly into my face.
"That bag-where did you get it," he ex-
claimed, impetuously, but in low, subdued |
voice.
ut is yours replied, handing him the
sachel; "at least this is the place where |
was instructed to leave it,"
If the bag had contained tho riches Of Col |
conda he could not have received it moro |
eagerly.
Excuse me a moment, but remain here,n |
and with that he hurriely left the apartment. |
Sic might have been gone perhaps ten min !
utes when he returned, and approaching the |
window closed the blind, which left us in |
total darkness, then drawing a chair close to
mine, be inquired eagerly as to how the bag |
had come in my possession.
Igave him the whole story, described the
young Cuban, and showed him the message |
which had received the morning of sailing. |
''My boy, my boy. he murmured, and |
several times during the recital he broke in |
upon me as though he was about 60 tell mo
something, but would then quickly check
himself
At the close Of my narrative arose to 80,
when the strange old man requested mo to be
seated few minutes longer, and then again
left the room.
To say that / was surprised at his manner
does not express it. There was certainly |
something very mysterious in it all, and | !
was half tempted to sneak out Of the house |
like a thief, so wrought up were my feelings, |
when my host again entered
Captain he began, "you have rendered |
a service, the vahe Of which you may never
know, and thousands yet unborn viii bless
YOU for IT, 1t is impossible for rue to repay |
you for all the risk you have run, but take
this"-thrusting packet into my hand-"as
a slight memento of my gratitude. ! should |
invite you to reEew this call upon me, but |
it would be dangerous to us both; even this |
may do you injury, though thrust not, and
pressing my hand he uncerenoniously pushed |
me before him through q series of Railways |
and rooms to a rear entrance and left me be-
wildered upon the street with the package in l
my hand which had not had the presence of /
mind to refuse.
For moment stood still, not knowing ex-
actly which way TO turn, and feeling that
had undoubtedly escaped from call upon
lunatic, when was startled by the exclama-
ton:
"Bonis dios, senorln and looking up recog-
nized the features Of an army officer who had
frequently been lettering around the ship
chambers, the custom house and other places
about the water front where my business
called me.
His appearance recalled me TO my senses,
and awzwardly answering the salutation,
turned on my heel and hurried away nor
stopped for anything until seated in a boat
and being pulled off 70 my vessel, and did
not breathe easy until l stepped over the rail
TO the deck and even then glance at the
packet which still clutched in my hand was
sufficient to cause me TO tremble.
HuTying through the cabin | entered my
own room, closed the door and broke open
the package and to my surprise out fell SOW
eral United States bank bills.
Goldfish as Pets.
must commend goldfish 10 those who
want something to enliven a room. They
oro cino1 II, nxYarx xyotr mood upvpr no fed