The sun., 1896-10-04
NMIRABEES STRANGE LIFE.
AN OUTLAW FOR HIS BRoTHER,S
SAKE AND THEN a BANDIE

| Finniiy n Patriot, Striving with All Hts
Might to Free Cuba from tIpnin'h Yoke
Reported as Dead, but Believed by IEis
| Friends to Be stu Fighting for Liberty.
Liria Mlrabcl, who is reported to have been
killed In a skirmish in the province of Puerto
Principe, Cuba, was one of the most picturesque
figures In the patriot army. Mirabel was
originally farmer of humble degree. indus
trous, pcacoabe. and obscure. Some years ago
his fayorite brother was charged with the MUIR
der OF Spanish official. This brother was with
out wealth or influence; his conviction seemed
certain Lirla saw how matters stood and In A
reckless spirit OF self sacrifice declared that he
was the murderer and that his brother was In.
nocent After making this declaration he fed
TO the mountains.
hThe brother was released straightway and
the police set about search for the fugitive
Liria. however was beyond pursuit. He had
taken refuge In the fastncsses of the mountains
where the arm of the law cannot reach. After
an unavailing search of few months the
Spanish Government declared him an outlaw
and put price on his head Deprived of the
means OF earning a lawful living. Mirabel fol-
lowed the example of Manuel Garcia, and be-
came bandit. Again and again the Govern
ment raised the reward for Mrabel's capture
and sent out expeditions with orders to capture
him dead or alive. But his one act of fraternnl
devotion had endeared him to the country peo-
pie, and none OF them wou Id betray him.
Miraoel pursued his lawlcss career with im-
punity. His system was the u.ual one Ho
would waylay wealthy Spanish planters and
even high Government officials, and hold them
for ransom. Several times he was within n
hairs breadth OF being captured but, thanks to
fortune his own boldness and the good will OF
the country people, he always escaped un-
harmed. One night he lay at the house OF q
rich man. while III the room below were dining
twenty Government officials. Some OF them
were his bitterest enemies and all would have
been glad TO capture him and deliver him to .
certain death. by the good will of the host he
"as allowed to escape undetectcd.
Mirabel made 1. his boast that ne never harmed
a poor man somewhat empty sacrifice, but
present revolution WIS mooted Mirabcl devoted
himself heart and soul to the cause. He now
he was pptrint wba 1andit oat declared that
MS calling TO the cause of freedom. Meantime
ha i.b was carrying on negotiations with the Span
receipt of certain money he would surrender
himself and his followers to the authorities. Asa
matter Of fact he never had the least Intention
Of fulfilling his promise. When the revolntion
broke out he snapped his fingers at the Goyern-
msnt . sI and Joined the patriot army. His negoti-
atlons, however. had raised suspicions and
when. just before the revolution began, num-
Dor OF persons suspected OF disaffection were
Mlrabel had sold the plans Of the insurgents
Inc accusation was Rroundless. and IL did not
hurt Sn hi, popularity among the wilder spirits of
The patriots of the North. however. were bitter.
y opposed to him. They openly branded him
Manuel Garcia. Neither was chosen. Soon
laTcia was killed by the Government troops,
luerrilla bands which have given the Spanish
pGh , trouble throughout the war.
The Cubans In New York declare that tho
,e could not possibly have been in Puerto Prime
ipe at the time he was said to have fallen.