Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-05

IN CNN His name has been
used throughout the
Island 10 frighten children. and his presence
has frequently caused the Spanish guardia
civillia to tremble in fear. And vet this
man is one of the most handsome, kind
hearted and courteous individuals whom
/ ever met
Birth made Mirabal a gentleman: fate
made him bandit; the war for Cuban
independence has made him hero None
OF the v1cfssitudes of a fearfully eyentful
lie mas marred the dignity. the bearing
ana the instincts of the gentleman, all of
which were Mirabars inheritance, and yet
Tor many years this man has been hunted
like a wild beast. A price is on his head
today, although he is one of Gen. Gomez's
most trusted and active officers, the COL
onel of division in the insurgent army.
shall never forget my first meeting
with Mirabal, nor the cordial reception
given me- 1t was in the edge of a dense
forest near the Moron and Jucaro trocha
where camp had been made and dinner
Just served. AS / dismounted Mirabal arose
from the ground and exchanged greetings
with all the courtesy of a host to some in
Vited guest Leading me to the little spot
OF palm-covered grass which did duty for
cloth, he remarked: You will pardon
our somewhat primitive table service Had
1 known of your coming a few little COM
forts might have been provided. Be seated
while i manufacture for us a couple of
plates Saying which he proceeded to
carve two octaSon-shaped pieces of maja-
qua from the great, thin, f1at-leaf stock of
the royal palm.
Meeting With Mirabal
Miguel, will you bring us a few native
napkins? A moment later several pieces
of soft brown cloth-like material were
stripped from another variety of low palm
and placed beside the homemade plates
Il am glad you have your own fork, Mr.
Reno; the fact is. my last civilized cutlery
slipped through hole in one of the sarones
during somewhat hurried march this
spring Thanks. keep it; have learned
curing the past hfteen years to accommo-
date myself to the exigencies of camp life
You will. think, find that roast pig 'ex-
cellent. For the jayaca stew 1 cannot say
as much My regular chef was killed last
tuesday But the honey is from natures
own hives. and 1 can recommend it" And
thus he chatted on. with manner so cour-
teous and yet so unassumfng that no one
could help feeling perfectly at ease
The chivalry of an old-time knight comes
as naturally to Nicasio Mirabal as fighting.
And fighter he is, both with hand and
brain have seen him go into action
mounted on his big gray mule with a smile
on his face which would suggest an abso-
lutte liking for danger. The battlefield is
good place to get rid of the blues" he
once remarked to me. A rent in his shirt
or trousers is far more serious to him than
bullet hole in his leg, unless 1t really
cripples him. He is by far the best dressed
officer in the insurgent army. the only one
! met who sports small diamond in the
front of his neglige.
Why He is an Outlaw.
found him rather averse to any discus
sion of his past life. Only once did he re-
fer to it in connection with the cause Of
Cuban liberty. Il am an outlaw" he said
because L have fought and will fight
Spanish law as long as 1 live. They call
me bandit, too. Well, perhaps am that
also 1t is true that L have robbed Span
iards of their ill-gotten money. but 1T was
for the benefit OF the revolution. / have
never prOtited by 1t myself. Delegate
Palma will tell you that 1 sent $4,000 to
the treasury OF the Cuban legation in New
York, with which to purchase arms and
ammunition l have never stolen a dollar
In my life. 1 have simply levied upon
wealthy Spanish residents in order to in
crease the revolutionary fund In the BE-
ginning of the war l appropriated d few
hundred rifles from the enemy's arsenal
but we needed them in the cause of lib
erty."
From one of MirabaI's staff / learned a
great deal of his early life. He was born
In Santa Clara province, the son of a
wealthy planter, about forty-five years
ago. He was very much of a favorite in
society, and always noted for his exquisite
taste and courteous manners. His broth
er, a quick-tempered and rather reckless
fellow. became involved in a quarrel, shot
and killed his opponent There were no
witnesses TO thu deed, and the victim lived
just long enough 10 proclaim Mirabal as
his slayer. but did not say which MirabaI.
Nicasio hurried to his brothers house, and
offered to take his place You have a
wife and children" he said. You must
provide for and protect them. You cannot
afford to fly. / have one. 1 fired the
shot, understand. Don't you dare deny it.
Adios; God bless YOU" and off he rode. an
Innocent fugitive from justice, with a
price OF 5000 on his head. His flight prov
ed lis guilt to the satisfaction of the law.
and all the lsuardia civillia of Santa Clara
ware sent in pursuit. Some. who for sake of
reward pressed him too hard, never lived
to come back. and thus commenced Mira
balls life as a bandit and outlaw.
a Quixotic Act.
Many are the stories told of him in Cuba.
One will illustrate: Morning found him near
the city of Sanctus Espiritu, with two
mounted companions and with quite an
appetite for breakfast. Riding up to the
gateway of an humble farm house. Mirabal
dismounted and asked the old man who
stood at the door if it would be convenient
for him to have little breakfast prepared
for himself and companions.
My wife is dead. L alone" the old
mar replied. but you welcome. i will
do the best can for you"
Indeed said MiTabal. Il am sorry. Let
me help you make the Coffee and h. did
So During the meal which followed Mira
bal remarked upon the beauty of two oxen
yoked Ia the yard They are a fine pair,
and ought 10 BE- profitable to you"
They might II they were mine" the old
man replied, but they belong to my rich
neisfbor on yonder hill above u.s. i have
TO pay him 81 day for the use of them"
Too bad. you will never get rich in that
way What does your neighbor ask for the
oxen?" ~
Five hundred dollars is the price, 1 be-
Well" remarked MirabaI. II am a
stranger to you, but / am going to make
you present of the animals" And SO
saying he counted out 500 in gold handed
IL TO the astonished man, and requested one
OF MS companions TO accompany their host
to the house of the wealthy Spaniard on
the bill Buy the oxen and bring back a
receipt for the money" was his injunction
The trade was consunlmated. and the re-
oeipt brought back. which Mirabal took
ard, lifting his hat to his host, rode away.
Proceeding Immediately to the house on
tho hill he produced the receipt and thus
addressed the writer of 1t: you will par
don me; my name is Mirabai. / have with
me proof that you have just been paid SEQ
In gold don't wish to Inconvenience you
but i must have that amount III rnonay Of