The morning times., 1896-10-04

We entered the hall and Maxine Gomez
arose To receive US.
Il have Just learned from the landlord"
he said cordially. that two Americans
were stopping here. You Will do me the
favor to breakfast with me. Americans
are indeed our best friends, aud we Cubans
are only too happy to do them honor
We accepted this amiable Invitation, and
shortly after were all seated at table
The genera! placed Mr.. Parker on his
right and myself opposite tie latter.
Hardly lad the first course bee0 served
wien an old woman entered the dining
room, weeping and wrangltng with the
scntines.
Let me speak with the general. l want
to talk with Maximo Gomez She cried.
Tue general turned toward her and ordered:
Let her come in
The poor woman recognized him at once.
"Sir, tie spaniards arrested my son a
month ago. They have him locked up and
pining i'll the prison here, and it is their
intention to deport him to the renitentiary
at Ccuta, because they say he is a rebel.
Before they take him away from me, sir.
aud Kill him, for Gods sake deliver him
from their hands and let him go with you"
The wrctched mother wept aud cried
aud stammcred in her distress
Calm yourself, madam" said the gen.
eral to ter, with kindness. And then, turn.
ingto Mr.. Parker and me, lie added: Break.
fast 10 war time cannot proceed without
some interruption. l must attend to this
poor woman
He called an aide, and inquired: Has
| it been ascertained how many armed men
defend this city?"
There are 120 volunteers and 2b civil
guards. and all of them have taken refuge
in the Jail and town hall. The Test ol
the city has been occupied by our people
without resistance
VERY well. Tell Major Quintin Ban
deras to proceed with the necessary fuIce!
to the Jail and town hall. capture then
Within three hours. and forthwith hberate
all the political prisoners. Go and wait
| for your son. madam; you shall soon see
him free man.
The good woman went away, scbbing
and thanking the general.
How many men have Joined our forces
| here?' he continued, inquiring of the
! officer.
Between peasants and town people, WI
| have already over three hundred"
sArIned?"
"Some. Others are either pourly armet
or not at ALL But every one has his h horse.
| Then tell Major Banderas that I'll the
| arms of the volunteers and civil guards
are needed and must be seized. At II
| O'Clock shall be with him. Now. gentle
| men, let us breakfast in peace"
For few minutes not word was
| spoken. The Cuban officers ate Will
voracious appetltes, like soldiers who ha
made long march The general break
tasted frugally; his meal consisted o
three eggs and two slices of roast bcei
He took no wine. but drank several giasse
of water. When coffee and cigars wer
served the conversation started again.
at is not the first time,'' remarked tn
general, in English. that have the hono
of brcakfasting in camp with citizens o
l tue Upited States. In Puerto Principe
had Mr.. Maxim at my table. 1t was a
Cubitas, in the midst Of the forest, an
with few er conveniences than now Ivan
citizens of the great republic to zee hoy
| Cubans fight for their independence, bt
cause from them we expect not only sym
patty but active cooperation"
Mr.. Parker deemed it Ills duty to driul
to the health of the rebel army, While. i
my broken Spanish. I gave toast. 18th
Independence Of Cuba,'' and Gomcz's SCI
retary, u courteous young painter. dram
to our health as worthy representatives G
tue country of Washington and Lincoln
ST." said Maximo Gomez. presenting h
glass to the landlord, who solicitousl
| waited on him. ~ Shall also give my toas
Here it is: May Spapiards residing in Cub
realize that their best interest lies in ident
; flying themselves with the revolution an
remaining in free Cuba, the country Of the
!. Children :"
The elandlord thus hoDored, deeply moyet
but lacking words, took the glass from tt
hands Of the general, and Quaffcd its col
tents with loud "viva!''
The dessert was Interrupted by the hast
arrival Of an aide de-camp.
j General" said he, "a Spanish coluu