The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-09-09
within the shade, where we shall not

within the shade, where we shall not
attract the attention of every passer-
by"
True. it might excite remark were
the rich Senor Coras seen in converse
ton with a man who has been stamped
as villain throughout all Havana re-
piled the other, with a low chuckle.
BE quiet IDIOT and know that were
you not villain I should have no use
for YOU at this time. Say. would you
like to earn a dozen or so piasters?"
"Would I. indeed. And as many more
rs the generosity Of the senor should
see fit to bestow. But what is it that is
required? Surely the service Of the
poniard is not wanted for the price of
fcred convinces me of that fact. No:
can it be the abduction Of some fair
senorita. for the very same reason. 1t
must be the cnastislng OF some schco!
boy, which the scnor wishes performed
by deputy"
Have done with your nonsense, Jose,
and listen to what have to say"
"Ah. yes, will listen; but it has not
been many years since that if CoraS
should call to me upon the street and Of
fer me Il dozen piastcrs to perform some
dirty work, would have tlayed him
with my riding whip, or made my CO.
chillo and his delicate flesh intimately
acquainted. But proceed"
Yes, but since Jose Calvo has seen
the inside Of the walls Of Moro castle
things have slightly changed. Here is
the money. l presume you will feel
better about undertaking the work If
paid in advance"
Certainly, I should feel easier, senior.
Not that I doubt your honesty. senior,
oh no. but man can never tell what
NAV happen in these stirring times"
and the mendicant dropped the loose
coin into one of the capscious pockets
of his linen trousers. $50 on, senior, l
listen"
The work is very simple, and a job
in which YOU run no risk OF being inter-
fered with by either police or soldiers:
want you to shadow the house OF Don
Manuel Ccballos.'
..Oh. the father of Senor Francisco"
''The same. Watch it closely. II
perchancc, any parties should enter it,
as it were, stealthily, bring mo word
at once. I will remain here in this
cafe, from which you saw me come out
few moments since"
And is that all, senor?" asked Calvo.
''That is all"
"Well, surely man may do that and
work little harm, either to himself or
anyone else. Adios, senor!" and with
that Jose Calvo turned and walked
somewhat quickly away down the
street, while Felipe Coras entered tho
saloon, muttering to himself:
"Although nothing may come from it,
still, it would be better for him to be
seen about the place than myself"
Jose had proceeded perhaps five
blocks when he observed an officer OF
the citizen police standing on bril-
liantly lighted corner. AS though to
escape observation Celvo drew his tat
tered straw hat down over his face,
bent his head and hurried on.
'sAh. Buenos nadias. Good evening,
Calvo! Why pass an old acquaintance
in such haste, and without offering a
salute?" called out the Cuban in uni
form. kindly.
''Buenos nachias, Senor Hazas," re-
turned Jose Calvo, halting. 81 did not
think that you would care to recognize
upon the streets of Havana one who
had failed so low in the social scale as
I have, and therefore passed as I did,
lest you should have spurned me-"
"Spurned you? An old friend? No,
no; because Dame Fortune has seen fit
to deal harshly with you it is no reason
that I should forget what you have
been! Ay, and what you may yet be-
come!"
"Ah, senior! Those are the first kind
words which have fallen on my car for
many, many months, but they only
serve to make me feel my degradation
the more. I pray you, let me go.
fain would forget the past, forget you
and all the friends Of my halcyon days,
and live only in the miserable present" "
"Jose" replied the other, exceedingly
touched by the despairing tone OF the
outcast. Have you never thought that
there still might be a duty remaining for
you to perform? A duty, which, if per-
formed in the right spirit, would lead
you onward to noble and honorable
career?'
''What can it be, senor," asked Calvo,
quickly, arousing himself and resunaing
somewhat of his old-time dignity.
''Jose," whispered the officer, tive
were boys and schoolmates together. I
know your disposition as brother
would and I will speak fearlessly to
you Cuba, poor, bleeding Cuba, needs
your assistance. Needs the strength OF
your firm, right arm Say, shall your
country call in vain in the hour OF her
need?"
"A1y country! My country! A Cuban
has no country! The Spaniard is the
master and the Cuban is the slave!'
"And you are willing to live and die
as such Oh. Jose, do not tell me that
you have fallen so low. All other faults
your friends would willingly overlook,
but that, turning against our beloved
cause, will ostracize you forever from
tho society Of men"
A momentary pause succeeded this
burst of patriotic enthusiasm, after
which Calvo looked his friend squarely
In the face and said:
''Senor Hazas. If Cuba will deign to
accept what little I have to offer, which
is naught but life, it shall be hers, and
that whene'er she may demand it.
II knew it! I knew it," exclaimed
the young officer, grasping the hand OF
the vagrant. The manhood in Jose
Cslvos bosom has been but slunbering,
and now that it is awakened he will
prove credit and an honor to Cuba
and her cause! Here, take this, it may
prove useful to you," and he thrust a
purse into the others hand. Call upon
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