Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-06-15
q Romance d euba.

MELVILLE American.
We asked the Cuban co tell useome-
thing about warmer climate for q
change. Senior Rameriz thought a
moment and then relaGedthe following
Incident:
''I am q Cuban and I love Cuba;
yet the extreme heat of some months
each year is unbearable. You re-
member the entrance to Havana
harbOr Is guarded by MORO castle.
The Garrison numbers about 200
men. Three years ago last June the
temperature rose beyond all previous
records and the suffering was intense.
The authorities were dreading the
possible invasion of Cuba's deadliest
Ourge-yelloW fever. News came to
the city Of the breaking out of the
fever at the castle. Immediately
steps were taken for the complete
isolation OF the fort. No boats were
allowed to land from the infected 10.
cality and none were brave enough
to venture the casting Of their lot
with the garrison.
'"Ehe heat WaXed in intensity as the
days went by. Long had the distress
signal waved from the fort flagstaff.
The inmates were known to be dying
by the score and in need af medicine
and supplies of all kinds, vet in all
Havana not one heart seemed brave
enough to make the venture of relief
which so surely seemed certain death.
Each morning crowds gathered on
the piers and gaZed sOrrOWfully a.
cross the waters to the fated island.
At sunset each day we watched the.
gates open and funeral corteges wind
their way down the mill to the little
garrison cemetery; we listened for the
vOlleys OF salute, their number denot-
ing how many brave fellows had sue
cumbed that day.
One morning the climax appeared
to be reached. The SUMS RAYS fairly
penetrated ones clothing and scorched
the skin beneath. No air was
stirring, and the water looked like hOi
and Furnished steel. All Havana
was gathered near the shore watching
anew the fatal spot where fellow
human beings were bravely dying yet
gave no sign. AS we alphabetically
gaZed across the water, for the first
time In three long weeks a boat shot
forth from the pier OF Havana. 1t
was loaded to the gunwales with
provisions and medicines, and none in
that crowd needed to be told of it's
destination. Our eyes then sought
the guider of he little craft and to
our horror saw the sole occupant
was a woman.
"Many a blush burned red on heat
ed cheeks that moment. Then q uni
versal shout of protest came-tOO
late. Our coward hearts, shamed by
that brave wOman's fearless act,
awakened us to offer as volunteers.
She paused an instant from her row
ing and silenced our murmurings with
.E h. & 4 81
said; from all Havana not one re-
gret will follow me. IT'S better that 1
should 60 than a life upon whose ten
ure hangs the fate of others. Good,
bye
'We stood silent a moment after
the clear voice ceased and then a
mighty roar OF admiration and adieu
went forth. She bowed her head-W6
noticed now how young and beautiful
she Was-then silently bent the oars
and under that blazing sun rOwed
straight into the jaws of death. We
strained our eyes across the water;
watched her strokes grow slower and
slower as the awful heat Slapped her
very life and finally paused exhausted
beneath Castle MOrro's walls. Those
faithful souls. brave AID constant to
the last, refused admission, though we
could feel the unger and longing eX-
pressed IN their long suffering eyes. At
length faint resistance ceased-they
eagerly came down to the welcome
bOat-fairly lifted their angel Ofmercy
on waiting shoulders and, followed by
others bearing the medicine TO which
many poor fellows will owe their lives,
are lost to our view with the castle
walls"
The Cuban paused. The air in the
. q I-A
thoroughly had we entered into the
spirit of the story. The senOr's two
auditors felt the aWfIl sutfOcatlOn his
brave senOrita suffered. We asked if
that peerless sacrifice really culminat-
ed IN her death.
''Well, there's not much more to
tell. The first effect we noted was The
reduction in the numt of salutes
over the soldiers graves; then one
blessed morning when q breeze, all but
cool, came straight from your north
land. the distress signal was hauled,
and again the royal flag of Spain
fiOated proudly from the battlements
denOting all was we'll within.
INSTANTLY the bay was dotted with
boats. We hOcked to the castle and
exchanged congratulations with the
governor and his sadly decIimated
garrison. We learned that unGCubt-
eddy not a life would have been pre-
served had it not been for the brave
maiden's timely succor. Now, there,
gentlemen, is an incident Of a land Of
heat.
eyes, what became Of the girl?''
anxiously inquired the Long Islander.
''She is the happy wife Of the COVER
nor of the castle, and is the IDOL Of all
Havana"
Women Sleep Lightly.