The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-09-02
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expo di tt OF
about to land on the shores If Cuba o
we wonld rot soc him tonight" laugh,
ingly exclaimed one of n group of youn,
men who were lounging about the en-
trance Of the calaboose in the Plaza
Armas. Havana, early in the evening
few years since.
The company belonged to some organ
izat.on. it could readily he seen by thci
uniformity Of dress. it being sccrsuclSc1
coat. with short skirts, girted in mt tn,
whist by Il belt from which were sus
| pended widcbladcd. Roman Shaped
swords, and formidable rcvolvcrs.
The garments of some OF the number
were prfuscly ornamented with golt
| lace, showing their wcarcrs to he
officers. and all had upon their head
| the light Panama hats. whose broad
brims were caught up on the left side
by rod and black lcuthcrn roscttc.
Perhaps "-suggcsted Il companion
of the first speaker. ''hc has lost all his
ready money ut billiards. and feels toe
poor to employ Il substitute to do his
monthly police duty"
''francisco Il an ardent lover of the
cue. but he does not play to lose" re-
piled the ether. 'And if he were short
of funds. he would only have to make
his condition known 10 tho old don to
have his ockcts well lined with golden
pieces. No. no, it is not to the lack of
money that VIC are indebted for the
honor Of senior Ccballos' company to-
night on our watch" Then in IL louder
voice:
"llow, now. friend Francisco, l
thought you had registered an oath
with your patron saint never again to
put on uniform and do guard duty!
What has happened to cause you to
chance Your nind?'
The desire for little exercise. may
be, Senior liaaas,' replied the new
conner. seating himself upon II bench in
the most nidolcnt manner, and lazily
inhaling TIE frnCrart smoke Of cigar
cite that he held between his lips
"Fcllpc Coras, here" said the young
man. mischicv0usly, was under the
imprc sion that You were trilo short
of money and could not engage your
usual substitute.
III were should not call upon him
to srrnly the deficiency, f" quickly re-
tortcd Irancisco. with some spirit. dart
ing an angry look at the individual in
question.
"Valdcs Haas is mistaken, senior,
if he thought for an instant that |
meant to convey the impression That it
were possible for you to lie cmbar-
raised financially" answered Coras, in
servilc manner.
"Oh, it matters not" returned the
young Cuban, us he raised his hat and
wiped his brow upon delicately per-
frmcd silk handkerchief. "But who
has charge of our watch tonight, VAL
des?' he continued, turning to his friend
Hazas.
"Scnor Grezala, bc''cvc, was to
have been in command, but we have
just received word that it will be i'm
possible for him to serve, so, as YOU are
next in rank, the duty will probably de-
vo've upon you. unless the powers that
be see lit to send an officer from the
reSulicrs to show the Cuban citizen po-
lice how to perform their compulsory
and degrading work" The latter part
Of this remark was spoken in n low |
tone, but with considerable bitterness.
"a loyal subject of the crown of !
Spain should consider no duty that he
can perform for the good of the govern
nent, MS degrading" haueLtily OK
claimed Felipe Coras, bending II search
ng look upon his outspolscn compan-
on.
II am glad you arc OF that opinion,
'cnor, for the task will consequently be
ess rcpugnant to YOU" sarcastically re-
marked young Ceballos.
That ! have never attempted to
hirlS my duty is proof sufficient that
I'm loyal subject, ut least, which is
more than can be said of some with
whom | have the honor to be associ-
tcd,' angrily rctorted Coras. as he
urncd upon his heel and strobe into the
'uard room.
AS the disSruntlcd officer left t.c
roup. those who remained looked ut
ach other inquiringly. ar !. several won
cred what was meant by the significant
ctort
Ccballos and Haas paid no attention
o the comments of their companions,
ut rose from the bench on which they
ad been sitting, and with an:
"Adios, scnors, we will return soon,"
tartcd out into the plaza, and when
hey were again alone began an earnest
though it was carried on
l whispers.
"What is it, Francisco. that is troub-
ng you? Fear not to make confidant
me-
Nor do I, for you arc my dearest
lend and by the repeated inquiries as
} your welfare by my fair sister Isabel
predict that some day Valdcs Ilazas
ill bear closer relationship. But to
MS business. 1t is secret. however,
nd one that is dcarcr than life to every
nc Cuban"
"Ah. see. Our leaders arc prepared
} make another move for liberty"
"llist! Speak lower" replied Fran
SEQ, cautiously. ave are ready to
Icet and call toyethcr the faithful, the
'yal and courageous sons of Cuba to
" some plans whereby our liberty may
9 obtained"
And where is to be the gatherings"
'ked the young patriot eagerly ~
ave little money to offer. for the rapa-
GUS S9aninrd has robbed my house of
early Sll that it possessed, but still }
tain my sword and strong right