Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-27

there throughout the crowsl there was . low murmnr of conversation, hardly loud enough to be noticed from the platform. which was soon filled with the actors in the dreadful tragedy. These murmured talks were of course mainly in the Spanish language; and the following, which was overheard and translated to me by an American, will serve as fair sample of the whole:
 "A bad mana vile honabre." "Ah yes, naalcd;tto! and our illus trious and noble Captain-General Concha does we'll to sunmarily exc cute him. What sayest thou2" ''Bueno! was born in Old Castillo, and hate the Americanos, who are always plotting and conspiring to wrest our fair Cuba from us. But what has become of this fellows com patriots?'
 "What-dost not knowP Fifty-two of the cut-throats were taken just out side the walls and shot, Two hundred more, at least, are in our dungeons; and hope the same may happen to them"
 The other gave an emphatic gesture of assent, and was just about to make some reply, when a procession of at least two dozen persons passed be- tween two long ranks of soldiers with shouldercd muskets, ascended the steps. and filled the platform There were more than a dozen guards; there were several officers representing the Captain-General, so brilliant with their gaudy uniforms that they looked like pageant; there was n priest with sombcr robes and look; and there was one man in civilians dress, who in- stantly riveted upon himself the atten- | ton of the thousands of spectators. "Ah!-now you see him!"-said one | of the Soaniards whom we just now left whispering to. Ter. '.Dost see him. senor? l hate lum and his tribe; but. to give Satan his due, he is a bold looking fellow"
 ''Who-the man not in uniform?" ''The same. See his brown face; he was born in Venezuela, they say. An, that is the trouble; how can one be a true son of old Spain if he be not born between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean?"
 ''But they say he is brave"
 The other shrugged his shoulders. Quien sabe9 only know he is a conspirator against old Spain." There was momentary pause on the platform. The soldiers with their muskets and bayonets lined every foot of its outer edge, except a small space of that side toward which the chair faced. The officers were grouped about the man in the citizens clothes. The priest approached him; he bowed respectfully, but motioned him away. Now, in the last moments of this man S life, let us look at him. He is of medium height and powerful frame. His face has the bronze of the Castil- ian, but also frankness and an open ness that is not of that race. His massive head is thrown detiantly back as he folds his arms and surveys the multitude. His hair is black and curly; dark mustache conceals his mouth; his features are large and strong, and he has two such restless, luminous eyes as you may search in vain for in Cuba ten minutes hence!
 The two whose talk we have over- heard continued it.
 "Ah, gracios Dios-see the rene gader'
 What has he been, senor?'
 "WhY, dost thou not know, pauvre ho,nbre? He was Colonel in the Span ish army; he served in South America and in Old Spain; he was Governor of Madrid; he has been Government officer here in Cuba, and planter; and sooth he must go off to the United States, and with villainous crew of renegade Spaniards and American desperadoes attempt to free Cuba. Two expeditions that he raised and led to our soil were dispersed, but he es- capped; on this last one. he and most of his deluded followers were taken"
 But did they fght?'
 "Ah, yes-maledictions on them! They were brave; we can not gainsay it. They fought often, and spilled good Spanish blood, and only sur- rendered when they were dispersed and scattered by numbers, and had no choice. l hate them-but this is the truth. Ah!-see what is done."
 The man in civilians dress appeared to be earnestly talking to the officers about him, and gesticulating with hls hands toward the crowd. The General who had charge of the proceedings peremptorily shook his head and pointed to the chair. It was plain to be seen that the victim had earnestly besought leave to address the people, and that his request had been positively refused.
 He seated himself in the chair. The executioner approached the lever. There was but an instant between this man and eternity!
 His firm and unshrinking eye sur. veyed the vast sea of faces before him. Once it softened as he saw a familiar