Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-02-23

c"Ilutr!uHUH.'
has also my granddaughter, who cannot
even speak the CHILEAN tongue. For
many years represented the govern
mont Of Chilli AUTOMATICALLY at Wash
Iu-tun ALLOW me 10 introduce myself,
Don l-nacr dc FlorcmO.
And /, said |. am Claud Preston,
At Your service.
lou Will lie pleased"
Il am indeed. " said the charming
C"r,ta. extending her hand, which |
-ra>prd with pleasure.
What part OF America is your
home asked the don.
Washington. the capital of the re-
public. replied My father, Har
old Preston. died there but year ago,
and now am without relatives.
Harold Prcston:' exclaimed the don
excitcdly. is it possible! My old
friend Of 4 quarter of Il century ago."
50 il proved, and after that discovery
the oh don insisted that | accompany
them home. and of course when COreta
seconded his invitation l could but
acquit>cc, and to my surprise l was
conducted hy the don and his grand
daughter to the yacht have mentioned
as living ut the wharf.
Senior Claud, - said the don, this
Yacht will convey us to our residence
Our home is an island one. True, the
island is but small and but two miles
from the mainland. 1t is the old an
ces:ral home of my race. 1t is there l
was born, there many of my kindred
lie buried and there | shall one day lie.
But here comes Pedro. Well, Pedro,
we are ready.
We were soon seated in the yacht
and when Pedro had unfurled the white
sails we were soon gliding rapidly
through the waters.
We sailed down the coast for mile
OF 50. when Coreta suddenly exclaimed.
See. Senior Gland. our island hOme!'
And sure enough as we turned point
OF the coast there, scarcely two miles
away. lay tn" dearest little gem Of an
island Imaginable.
Pedro handled the yacht with the
skill Of an old tar. and We Were soon at
the pi.r. | assisted the fair Coreta to
the wharf. while Pedro gave his help to
the don. and We proceeded to the resi-
dcucc. ho,I-... c:.>tlc-what was il? A
giant pile of Stone and wood and yell
low trick, with angles and additions
and curves.
There WIS certainly room enough for
the anc, >try of any man. 1 thought, fUr
many hundred years back, even should
they all return from shadowland to
claim it.
w. passed up gravel walk in the
gathering twilight between the rows OF
flowers and ferns, occasionally passing
a hinge rocky bowlder that reared its
head aloft-a landmark of old Father
Time. They seemed quite numerous,
and | remember the don remarked
These rude powders are unquestion-
ably the security, the prop, the stay, OF
our home. But for them our island
would be fathoms beneath the sea-"
Once in and seated by the glowing
fire. Pedro. who had now become the
house servant instead of the sailor,
brought MS a bottle of wine. He I'M
corked the bottle and departed. Coreta
turned three glasses, and the don pro
posed the toast. America.
We drank the wine-hner | bave
never tasted | remarked it.
1t should be fine, ," remarked the
don-''that is, if age has improved it,
for it may be older than am l.
Now, grandpa, Senior Claud," re-
marked Coreta. Il will meet you at the
tea table" And she was gone.
senior Claud. said the don, You
scarce believe that this wine can be SC
old as | am. You wonder that this
huge structure on this little isle should
be our home. 1t descended to me from
race who. up to so years ago, were buc-
caneers-what are nowadays termed pi-
rates. This was their stronghold. With
the death of my father, the last one to
follow that life disappeared. There are
in the vaults of ChansOn wines and liq-
uOrs, placed there when he was yet g
boy. and jewels that would ransom a
republic To whom they once belonged
| know not, and not knowing l have
left them there. My mother was an
American, captured by my father in 6
merchant ship, which, after being plum
| dered of its valuables, was sent to the
| bottom with all ON board save her. He
/ loved her, and in time she loved him
and wooed him from pirates life. He
/ gave his interests to his former lieuten
ants and their crews and died here in
peace. He only stipulated that they
should find another refuge, and know
nothing of them. But they are all dead
long since. One only, old Martell, q
| French man, who was fathers body serv
ant, remained with him from his for
mer life. and he long since passed sway