The Forrest City times., 1891-03-13

DuC wltn Siltnt SpantSn accent. Alt CT several rounds" at the bar ths general proposed a game of poker. No objections were raised; the Cuban was accommodating. They went to a private apartment, and were soon deep in the thrilling anxiety of the great American pastime." From the very first Dinzolas began to win. The major snorted and the general fumed, but the Cuban, undisturbed, still con, tinued to rake in the money.
 It must have been nearly daylight when the major showed back his chair and said,-
 I'm broke"
 "So am l." the general took occa- sion to remark
 ''l am very sorry, gentlemen" the Cuban declared, ''for l have just be- gun to get interested in the game Have you nothing that you can put up?"
 "No," the major remarked. "As have often been compelled to remark, l have nothing left except my planta- tion, my soul, and my daughter"
 "Ah, said the Cuban, would you like to put up one of them-the plan tation or the daughter?"
 "Siri' exclaimed the major, spring ing to his feet, what do you mean?"
 "Oh, no offence. l assure you. have more respect for my friend, the general. than to insult his friend. 1 once won u youne 'lady-please be seated, major; don be ex,it.i, sC::, :. assure you that meant no insult"
 Major, hear what he's got to say" the general interposed.
 The major sa, down; the Cuban continued:
 "Once, in the City of Mexico, play ed for a sentleman's daughter and won her. An agreement was drawn up, reading about this way: I agree to give the bearer my daughter so-and- so, providing he can gain her consent. l won the paper bearing the words, but in truth did not win the girl She spurned me, Perhaps l should be more fortunate another time"
 Will you excuse the major and me fl We request @ private interview" the general asked addressing Victor Din zolas.
 Most assuredly; will withdraw y
 Don't this beat anything you ever heard of" said the major when the Cuban had withdrawn
 Rather peculiar, l must say; but let me tell you see good in it. Agree to his proposal, put up Zalie."
 General, do yoa take me for an in- fernal barbarian?"
 "Oh. no. Now, if you put up your daughter a,d lose her, this Cuban might come around, and-well, he might scare the life out of Bickles."
 The major slapped the general on the shoul der
 You are the smartest man in the world, general Call that hall-nisger- looking fellow"
 The Cuban resumed his place, put up u thousand dollars against I-llie and won. shortly nfterward the boat landed at Campbell's Bend.
 One afternoon, several days later, the major and the general sat on the veranda overlooking the broad field of cotton.
 Major. is Bickles still hanging around?"
 He was here yesterday, but left somewhat downeast. as Zalie posi-. lively refused to marry him without my consent. Who is that coming through the big gate? By gracious 'tis that internal Cuban"
 That's who 1t is.
 "Coufound my fool hide. wish l hadn't done that caper. 1 wouldn't have done 1t ii l hadn't been half drunk. Now that's a nice piece of pa per he's got. Wish Bickles was here. I'd soon have them chewing each oth- er. don't know what to do."
 Zalie came out on the veranda.
 "0h, what is that?" she asked.
 The Caba had dismounted at the yard gate
 'Oh. but doesn't he look just like the hero of D novel"
 "Zalie," thundercd the major, Ego into the house."
 No ofense. Will my friend the gen. eral, explain the object of my visit?'
 '.I will. the general answered, 'but would first like to send for friend oi mine, Biekles." 7"
 My time is limited. Will the gener- al eXplainY"
 The general explained; the girl list cned with deep interest.
 "0h. how romantic" she sand, "how charmingly uncommonl Sir, :" extend ing her hand toward the Cuban, "I'll go with you
 What" tho major roared, ''go with this barbarian2 No, not if he had fifty plantations"
 "A contract signed by a gentleman, " the Cuban said, "is document of honor"
 Tha major sat down.
 The girl obeyed. The Cuban came up the .teps.
 An, general, glad to see you again; and the major hope he has not for gotten me. /"
 No" said the major; sit down."
 The Cuban took seat and began To fan himself with his broad brimmel hat. The major snorted, the general hemmed and hawcd.
 "Ah, said the Cuban, lis Miss Miss--let me seo examining the paper) nh. Miss Xalle Is sine at home?"
 Look here" said the maior, "I want yon to understand Let my dgn-hter is not q slave"
 "oh. certainly, understar1 that, hu. she i4 mine Ii can win her. This paper"
 Hang the paperl"
 But, a- n gentleman, you can not, ah. give me a word here, can not repu-