The age-herald., 1898-05-30
A wEYLERIAN ROMANCE
The Butcher Took a Bride from the Com
 mon People

The Butcher Took a Brido from the Com
 mon People
 From the London Telegraph
 It was in the immediate entourage of Don Carlos that heard the pleasant story of General Weyler's marriage. He had att tained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was in command of crack infantry regi- ment, when he fell deeply in love with a singularly beautiful girl-like himself, a native of one of the Balearic Isles-of hum ble origin, being the daughter of respect able, hard-worlxing peasants, but of blame less conduct and spotless reputation.
 Colonel Weyler notoriously abhorred the Don Juanesque methods of besieging the female heart, and, as soon as he had as- sured himself that his affection was re- ciprocated, resolved to make the lovely "paisana' his wife, though she was ignor- ant, as a Spanish proverb say, "whether the sun went round the earth or the earth rund the sum-" and had not even been taught to read and write. Weyler did not disclose his matrimonial projects to his family and friends while making every preparation for carrying them into execu- ton. Twenty-four hours, however, before the time fixed for the celebration of the wedding ceremony, the officers of his regi- ment received from him written requests to meet him at certain church door early on the following morning. He was extremely popular with his military subordnates of all ranks, though the strictest of discplin- arians, so the regimental "corps d'of1i- cers" complied unanimously with his invi- tation.
 At the hour indicated they found him awaiting them near the main entrance, and when they had gathered round him in a re- spectful semi-circle he addressed them as follows:
 Brother officers: None of my people know that I am to be married this morn- ing, did not tell them for reasons of my own, mainly because detest useless dis cussion. But I was not going to the altar on my wedding day unless accompanied thither by my god comrades So I asked you to stand by me as witnesses and friends And I want you to take note of what I shall do when the officiating priest shall have united me to my young bride."
 This terse speech was hailed with cor dial acclamations, and the military cortege filed into the church at the heels of their commanding officer, eager to give him their full support and countenance at so momentous a conjuncture and not little curious as to the eventual denouement of the colonel's mystery. At the conclu- sion of the religious ceremony, and after all the military witnesses had signed the register, Weyler left the church with his wife on his arm, and, followed by his off, cers marched her off to neighboring con- vent, where he delivered her into the charge of the lady abbess, and took leave of her with soldierly abruptness displaying no emotion whatsoever. Then, turning to his comrades, he said:
 "Queridos hermanos, have married this maiden, because love her and she loves me. She has no education, and, therefore, is not at present fit to associate on equal terms with your mothers, wives and sis- ters, or to figure in society as the wife of your colonel, so I have arranged that she shall remain for two years under the care of these worthy nuns, who will teach her all she ought to learn. and eventually turn her out a credit to the regiment During the interim I shall not disturb her studies by my visits, though she Is mine and am hers. Have I done right? the answer may be taken for granted). Then come along and let us all go to breakfast"
 This Is no less true than pretty story. and it's sequel has been all that Weyler could have wished it to be. When his wife quilted the convent she was as ac- complished and "bienseante'' as she was beautiful which is saying good deal; and, at the present time, her many virtues are faithfully reflected In her children, who have grown up in grace and honor under her loving care.