The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-21
FATE OF 4 PEDDLER.

"It was at noon one day when a
lanky old fellow with the face of a vul-
ture was arrested and brought before
Gomez. lie had a servant and three
stout mules, grunting under a load of
merchandise, rich as the pack Of ped
dlcr i'm the Arabian Nights He had
a formal permit from the civil govern
ment to sell these goods to peasants in
the neiEhborhood. This was in direct
violation Of Gome2's proclamation, for
bidding trade Of any kind between the
town and the peasants. The old specu-
lator's goods We're scattered on the
ground in heaps. Gomez tore up the
government permit, and parcolled the
bread, coffee and tobacco among the
soldiers, excepting the staff and es-
COlta tesCoTD. The shoes, calico and
knick-knaCks We're given to some peas
ant women Of the neiEhborhood to
keep, and the rum and brandy was
poured out upon the ground. Then the
old fellow was sent on his way with
a warning, and we took the march;
our happy ragged soldiery putting
clouds of smoke into tho air from their
ncwly-acquirod cigarettes and cigars"
Like NahOmet, Gomez believes in the
sword as d medium of conversion;
those who do not at once embrace the
faith are forced to fall into the ranks
or be shot down on their farms and
plantations. No excuse aVails; Cubans
who have families to support must put
aside their homes and famiies-their
first duty, according to Gomez, is to
the republic" the mandates of which
he does not assume to recognize. Ac-
COrdingly, Gomez began a moral cam
paign" in CamaEuoy. In this province
the Cuban army had become demoral-
lied. 1t had undisputed possession.
and the officers, in many cases, grew
fond of ease in camp and cottage.
Through this province Gomez marched,
not 10 fight against the Spanish, but
To discipline his own soldiery. The
country was fun Of "maiaccs," as these
lovers Of camp ease were called. Co
mez dispatched parties in all direc-
lions to round them up" Mr.. Flint
describes some of the incidents of this
moral campaigns"
Every evening a silent. abashod
line was drawn up before headquar-
tors, while officers, sailors and ass-
tantos crowded in anticipation Of the
lecture to come Finally Gomez would
come out from under his piece of can
vas with a towel in one hand that
served for a handkerchief and look
them through from under his bushy
eyebrows, with his hawks eye.
80 Ah-h-h ma-ja-Ces; neat we'll fed
ma -ja-ces, living in houses, on fresh
pork and chicken and milk, the food
of the women and children. swindling
the republic what do you do for the
fatherland?'
50 DO you wear the weapons of the
republic for ornaments, and ride her
horses for pleasure|
- You say your father was dying,
ana you left your force to be with him
in December, and it is now May and he
is still dying? And you, over there,
you with the face of a guerrillero
Spanish CavalrymanD, you say you
were wounded. Look at my men,
Every one of them is wounded. / am
wounded. / will have the surgeon eX-
anime us and see which is the sicker
man, you or L.
- You deceive the republic, but you
do not deceive me. 1 will make you
serve your country if only as exam
pies for others, | win keep my eye on
every single one OF you.
80 officer Of the day. take these men
10 the impcdienta, make them walk
with the infantry
80 each day the active forces We're
| swelied with men who had long wait
ed FOR arms, and the impediments NIL
| ed with those on whom the hardships
| of war had hitherto fallen lightly
CAMP DISCIPLINE.
"In camp no breach Of discipline was
| foo s1irht 10 agCapa corractiop frnuo