The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-12
BARON RUDIGER. 2

was paid large sum. Placing the dis
patches and his discharge from the army
in his trunk, he set out and coon reached
the town of Toluca.
Uncertain whether TO advance or return,
not knowing which party, whether Lib
erals or ConserVadores, now held posses
sion of the town, he was debating within
himself what course to pursue, when he
was aroused by the sound of harsh voice
saying:
'fBuenos tardes, senior"
He turned and beheld group of Liberal
officers, dressed in their scarlet sack coats
and pants of snowy duck, standing just
under the shade of grove of lofty cocoa
nut trees, where they had stood silent and
unobserved witnesses to his perplexities-
"Buenos tar1es, senores, 3" replied Rud-
iger, now fully treasured, and, bowling to
the speaker and his brother officers, he put
spurs to his jaded steed and galloped into
the town. The major alighted at the only
apology for an inn In the town of Toluca,
and, having seen his trunk safely secured
and his trusty horse and sure footed mule
provided for, he sat down to forage" for
himself.
Baron Rudiger had scarcely finished his
simple repast when an individual dressed
as a Liberal officer staggered into the
room, and, placing his hand on the ma
jor's shoulder, authoritatively said:
"Senor major. arrest you'll
ARREST me, sirP By whose authority
and for what?"
resumed the speaker in the Same unfriend-
~ voice. But come, major, this is no
time for trihing, and the guard are expect
ing you. Vamosl'
''GuardI GuardI What guard?'' said
Rudiger, with a surprised look at the coun-
tenance of his annoyer.
"Why guard of honor, to be sure, ma
~ ~
yourself would be allowed to patrol these
streets unattended Carrajo, mol So come
along, senior major, for time flies, and the
general is expecting you"
Arrived there, the squad of coarse SOL
diery halted, and the indignant Rudiger,
who was now the object at which vulgar
crowd hurled their ribald remarks, was
conducted by the commanding officer into
the presence of the general, who as soon
as he saw him cried out:
$50 so, senior major, you've been play
ing deserter, Ell? And running away from
burned powder, Ell? But, senior, you're
not out of the smell of it yet I'll warrant
you
Rudiger repelled the cowardly charge
with honest indignation, and then respect
fully said:
General Negrete, have my icenzia
absolute among my baggage Tomorrow,
general, with your permission, will pro-
duce it, and trust that will be sufficient.
You will then allow me, I hope" said
Rudiger, with an anxious countenance,
"to prosecute my journey"
"Nos verremos, said the general quick
1y, and then, turning to the orderly in at
tendance, he cried: "Take this man and
lock him up securely in the inward Gala
bose. Tomorrow will dispose of his case. %
Rudiger attempted to expostulate
against such outrageous treatment but on
a sign from the general the guard rushed
in and hurried him to the lookup.
Early in the morning he was taken to
the projects, and there, his baggage hav-
ing been broken open by order of Negrete,
it was carefully examined by the general
himself, who fixed his avaricious eye long
and lovingly upon the golden ounces but
carefully put them back, and, having
found the all important licenzia absolute,
he signed an order for the majors dis
charge and hastily departed, leaving the
astonished Rudiger to obtain redress as
best he could.
Rudiger now determined to retrace his
steps and lay the matter before the presi-
dent, in order, if possible, to receive some
for the indignities he had
suffered.
It was late when the major and his sol
ttary mozo left the town gates of Toluca-
SO late, indeed, that the solemn moon al.
ready doomed above the tall palm tops
casting her pale light over the surround |
ing landscape, but it is often customary
in travellers through the republic so to do |
in order to avoid the fervid heat of the |
sun, Rudiger felt alarm, as with his |
trusty rifle slung at his saddle bow he jog |
ged briskly along. He had determined for
his greater security to branch off to the |
right and, leaving the mountains, emerge
on the tsbleland. 1t was now about II |
O'Clock. He had just debouched from the |
road, when loud voice sang out: ''Halta |
Haltar' He halted and raised his piece. |
The ladrones, for such they proved to be,
fired with their short carbines |
The mozo fell dead at the first fire, and |
Rudiger, though wounded severely, sent |
one of the fellows cursing to his last &C.
count.
But what could one man do against 20f !
He fought valiantly and well, but at
length a powerful blow from the butt of
carbine sent him Keeling to the ground
Here he was instantly dispatched by their
knives, and soon all was over. The rob-
oers made off, taking with them the mule
and the trunk. This trunk was ever after.
ward in the possession of General Negrete
He was buried by some kind hearted
foreigners residing in neighboring town,
a rude cross and heap of stones only in
licating to the passersby the spot where
1e lay. Since then he has been disinterred
md, borne by the white winged courser OF
ocean to his far distant land, the mortal
'emains of Baron Rudiger rest undis-
leeping fathers in the solemn churchyard
n the quiet village of M--n.-New York
News.