New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-01
ANGELITA.
HER WILD RIDE WITH HER LOVER ~
REACH TIE ARIZONA FRONTIER.


There is probably no other military organlAa'loh III
the world similar TO it. 1t Is enlisted by compui-
SION but il is not the compulsion that HIS inc
ranks of other armies. In Mexico the army -
rather a school OF correction Besides being mi'i-
tarv IL is also rcformatOry. When man develops
into a missionary of new political faith, sooner
or hter-and generally the forner-he finds hIui-
self in its ranks: after that his mission loses even
10 him its importance If his prominence makes
his utterances particularly troublesome, there Is
another method of quieting-one that puts MIN Ill
place where men do not talk. his method Is
sometimes facetiously described as filing one S
mouth with dirt. To it the army Is preleraoe.
When the man with a mission is not sufficiently
important to justify his being shot, after he has
Joined the army he is drafted for service in luca-
tan or some other locality where Indians and
disease are particularly virulent. Strange rs it
may seem. once in the army the men serve well.
and are said to he able to outmarch anything on
earth. and when it comes to facing death they do
il with as much nonchaance as RELIGIOUS devctec.
1t is the discipline that does it. How perfect that
is is occasionally shown along the Rio Grande when
a regiment is marched down in platoons to battle.
While one-half the men battle, the other half
guards them TO see that none desert to the Ameri-
can shore. 1hen the process is reversed. 1t is
said that each half prides itself on the accurate
craftsmanship that they in this way get occasional
opportunities to display
Only few years ago there was mutiny in
Northern Sonora-the newspapers called it revo-
luton. After it was quelled a squad of the ring
leaders were ordered out to be shot. or course
1t was gala affair, as such occasions always are
in Mexico. The principal actors, however, 50 lite
appreciated the possibilities Of the occasion as to
present q very ragged alignment in front of the
fring-party. Probably the priests who marched
with each We're the most to blame. Anyhow. scan
dalized by such unsodery disregard of tactics the
officer in command gave the order: Right, dress.
Front" And when the line was as even as if on
parade he added the order to fire. Even with such
professional care, it is said, the persisted in
their mutinous conduct to the last, by falling in
q most unmiltary windrow. In justice to the
mutineers. should state that heard this story
afterward in Arizona, and even Arizona has some
magnificent liars.
In order to make the idea Of discipline more
thoroughly impressive when an officer is struck
or deserter captured. the offender is usually shot
by squad Of six in the back while facing an adobe
wall
few years ago there was not more firm
believer in discipline than Don Martin Cortina,
Colonel Of the Tercer Regiment0 de Cabaleria
The nearer a subaltern came to not thinking at
ALL the better soldier did he become in the opinion
of Don Martin. So thoroughly orthodox was
Don Martins idea CT discipline that to his reg
imcnt were drafted the most incorrigible of the
political offenders who believed they knew more
about the affairs of government than did the
government itself. A year two with the coors
under Don Martins command always resulted
in the thorough conversion of such persons-at
least no one ever heard Of them again as actively
engaged in prOpagating their idea, Of national
reforms in public affairs.
When the regiment was assigned TO the military
zone including Northern Sonora to take part in
the suppression of one Of the periodical outbreaks
along the Ya4ui River, there was in tie ranks a
young man 10 whom Don Martin was won't TO
point with pride an evidence o. what good.
thorough discipline can do. This young Elan was
Miguel Meendrez who two years previous had
returned from receiving all education III the United
States, enthusiastic with new political faith
that he felt should supcrYedc all Others so far as
Mexico Was concerned. Less than six months had
found him in the army convinced that his views
were, if nothing else, premature, and that II was
wisdom ~ devote himself strictly 10 his duties.
A handful of type and Il printing press have
ruined many a good man. the colonel had SEN
cautiously remarked in discussing the case but
the army is "a good teacher IL docs not take u
man in the ranks long TO learn that he is not
Messiah. Caramba. An editor is worsc than
dozen pronunciamentos when ne thinks he
KNOWS SOfuctUlUS. hS Ne WIIttS eO well, VIC Will
make him sargchto mayor, now that he is tanned.
II will give him something to do, and show him
that he may do something, even if he cannot
overturn the world in day"
So Senior Miguel Mclendrez once editor Of FL
Independence became sargentO-mayOr. and he
had almost reconced himself, with some degree
his term Of enlistment expired, when fate ordained
that Angelita, the only daughter OF the colonel.
should Join her father at Magdalena, where the
headquarters OF the regiment, when not in the
field. were stationed.
Keen as the coonel's eyes were when discipline
was concerned, they were not keen enough TO
were to fall In love- II it were not case of love
ut first sight, it was very near it. word now
and then, whenever their few and chance meetings
realized BY both, in the life of every man
and woman il is sometimes known and realized.
II O1y needed ~ S. that Miguel
regiment, to cement it. The few weeks in hos
pta and his slowly returning health mad prevented
him from reioining the regiment, in active cam
paixninG. and in that time he had found oppor.u-
nifty 10 tell Angelita everything of his early life,
the death OF his father, his education in the
United States; his career as an editor after his
been given him Of joining the army or remaining
in prison for publishing sentiments not approved
by the government. To all Angelita had given a
sympathetic hearing, and the pity she bestowed
did not at all diminish the love she felt for HIM
TO think OF the future. though, made them trem-
BILE; Neither for u moment believed that her
father would consent to such an alliance and
both knew that even suspicion Of their true
feelings would result in Miguels being returned
to prison or transferred TO some distant regiment.
which, In either case meant eternal separation.
We con only wait. alma mia" said Miguel.
IN dcploring the barriers that separated them IL
was at night, and he stood In the shadow by her
window while speaking. lie had never spoken to
her elsewhere.
Yes, for tomorrow the regiment returns. and
Won must come hero no more. There will he those
who may watch, and il would be terrible il nv
father should discover our meetings." sighed
Anselita;,
Miguel responded
70 meet you," Angelita had answered 10 all his
ploathnga.
Promise me- at least, carissima that YOU will
wait for me- no matter what may Come" he had
asked, and Angelica had called on the Holy VIRGIN
70 witness that che would marry ono until
Miguel could claim her.