The National tribune., 1898-11-03
ADVENTURES IN
THE PHILIPPINES.
A Story Of IL Twenty Years
Residence Among a Strange
People. 70 =
BY PAUL P. DE LA GIRoNIERE.
Chevalier of the Order of the Legion OF Honor
CHAPTER XXIU.

having now concluded my last TRIP INTO
the interior of the Philippines, | was dc
sirous of not separating myself again from
my son, the only being that remained 10
me of all those whom l had loved so ten
derby. | took him with me to Manila; hut
| did not altogether bid farewell to .Jala-
Jala, yet l had almost the intention OF
never going back 10 it.
l arrived at Manila, and took up my
quarters in the environs, at the abode of
Baptiste Vide, brother of the friend whom
| had left at Jala-Jala
My dear bOy-my sole delight, the last
beloved being that remained to me on this
earth, so fruitful in Joys, and still so de-
structive OF them-my Eoor Henry fell
suddenly ill, and his disease made the
most rapid progress.
| My medical attendant, or rather my friend,
Genu, advised me to take him to Jala-
Jala. SO many persons had recovered
| their health at Jala-Jala that ] hoped for
my child similar good result.
| On our arrival Vide came to receive us,
and in a few moments occupied, with my
Henry, the room which brought to my re-
| membrance two very sOrrowful losses
| the death OF my little daughter and that
OF my beloved Anna. l passed every day
in administering the medicine and all the
comforts in my power, but without any
good result or any relief for his sufferings.
On the ninth day after our arrival the
dear boy expired in my arms.
On the following day he was laid close
| to his mother, and another tomb erected
in the church of .Jala ,JaIa
! In vain did my friend Vide endeavor to
afford me consolation, or to change the
current of my affliction. My tears refused
to flow, and even words failed me to ex-
press the full extent of my grief. An
ardent fever, which devoured me, was far
too slow for the eagerness of my wishes.
In q moment of bewilderment, l was
near committing the greatest act of cow
ardice which man can perpetrate against
his Creator. | double locked the door; |
seized the poignard which had so often
used to protect my life, and pO nted it
against myself. My arm, strengthened by
delirium, was about to smite my breast,
when one sudden thought came to prevent
me from .consummating the crime which
has no pardon-although the crime of de-
spair. My mother, my poor mother, whom
/ had SO much loved my good mother pre-
scented herself to my mind, and said to me:
Thou wouldst abandon mel snail see
thee no more |" ~ ~
| / recollected then tho words CT Anna
Go, and see thy mother again !"
This thought changed my resolution
completely. / threw the poignard aside
with horror, and fell on my bed quite ex-
| hausted. Gained and relieved by album
dant flow OF tears, tgavq myself wholly up
to the idea of embracing my mother and
my sisters.
had no relativcS in tie Philippines; in
France alone / night yet find some affec-
/ tons; and, at the moment Of quitting
Jala-Jala forever tise IDEA of parting with
nv Indians-attached, devoted as they
were to me-was an additional grief to the
many which overPo@erel me.
remained in mi roord, without quitting
it even at meal times Ny friend Vide
did everything possiblehto prepare ME for
! these adieus and ito console me- He
pressed me To start speedily for Manila,
4 and TO make arrafgenlents for my de-
part,re: but an irresistible force retained
me at Jala-Jaia. Iwas weak; my heart
was so crushed by sorrows that had 10
courage TO adopt any resolutions. put it
off from day to day, and from day to day
| was more undecided.
On this occasion the motive which de-
cided my departure was furnished by
Providence. | had friend in Manila, a
lady OF angelic goodness, gentleness and
devotedness. United from the period OF
my arrival in the most intimate manner
with all her family, had known her as a
child. and afterward married to q highly
honorable man of whom when she was
subsequently bereaved ! afforded her all
the consultations which the sincereSt
friendship could offer. She was a witnes
of the happiness which enjoyed with my
dear Anna, and, hearing that | was UNI
happy, she did not hesitate to undertake
a long Journey, and in her turn to come
and take part in my troubles.
The excellent Dolores Seneris arrived
one morning at Jala Jala; she threw her
self into my arms, and for some moments
thoughts. When we recovered from our
! first emotions, she told me that she had
| come to take me away, and she herself
made the preparations for my departure.
/ was too grateful for this proof of the
friendship of the good Dolores not to ac-
auiesce in her wishes, and it was decided
that on the following day should quit
Jala- Jala forever.
The report was soon spread among my
Indians. They all came to bid me fare
well.
The day following was Sunday. Invent
to say adieu to the remains of those whom
had loved even in their tombs. ! heard
for the last time the divine service in the
modest little church which had erected.
After the service proceeded to the beach,
where the boat was waiting which was to
take me TO Manila. There-surrounded by
my Indians, the good parish priest, Padre
Miguel, and my friend Vidie-I bade adieu
to them all for the last time. Dolores
and got into the boat, which was scarcely
pushed off from the shore when every arm
was stretched out toward me, and everyone
exclaimed: IN May your voyage be happy,
master! And, oh! return soon
One Of the oldest Indians made q sign
for silence, and then in a loud voice uttered
these solemn words Brothers, let us
weep and pray, for the sun is obscured to
US; the star which is going has shed light
on our best days, and now for the future,
being deprived of that light, we cannot tell
how long will last the night in which we
arc plunged by the misfortune of his de-
partuTe.
We reached Manila late 1t was one of
those enchanting nights which | have de-
scribed in the happy period OF my voyages.
Dolores insisted thatI should not lodge in
any house but hers. Before she set out
her careful friendship had provided for
everything. Twas surrounded by all those
little attentions of which woman alone has
the secret, and which. she knows how to
confer with such grace on him who is the
object for whom they ara designed.
My friend AdoIph6 iBa}rot, Consul Gen
eral Of France, was every day in expecta-
ton of intelligence ffom) his Government.
with orders for his return home He pro-
posed to me TO wait for him. so that we
might make the voyage together. | ac-
cepted the proposal With pleasure, and we
decided amongst ourselves that, for our
return, we should taNc TIE route Of India. |
of the Red Sea and 5fEggpt.
to be idle. The Spshiatds reminded me
that at a former epoch ] had carried on the |
art OF medicine, and with great success. |
soon had patients from all quarters of
the island, and | resumed my old profess |
sion and gave advice.
At this DeriOd even while I remained in !