The age-herald., 1898-08-13
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MACIAs, SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.
Raised From the Ranks by Isabella Because
 She Admired His Features.

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
 Washington.-Th Porto Rico campaign has brought to the surface of Spanish poli- ties two men who have long been known to possess extraordinary prestige, influence and power in the royalist party in Spanish politics. These two are Captain-General Macias in command of Porto Rico, and the political governor, General Munoz.
 Away back in the sos young soldier en- listed in one of Spains Basque regiments of remarkable physical pulchritude. Six feet in stature, with fine dark eyes, he was the perfection of a good-looking youth, whose mental endowment was not equal to his personal attractions. As he was trained to military exercises, well set up by his drill, he soon became the talk of the femi nine part of Madrid, that is, of the middle and lower class women in domestic service, who are walking indexes of the talk and gossip of their mistresses.
 The queen, Isabella Segundo of Spain, was a good deal like her ante-type, Gather inc of Russia, in at least one respect "She liked fine figure of man." One day it happened that the young Basque recruit was among the detail drawn for guard duty at the palace. The queen saw him. She dis tnguished him by speaking to him. The honor so diSconcerted the Basque recruit that he forgot to present arms at the proper tine, and was consequently told off for heavy punisAmHsnt drill but it never came. nsme she recsSit ssaata whS5s %5a Macias,t because of extraordinary capac- ity"-so read the royal rescript-was ga- zetted to be lieutenant in the Cazadores Royal de Biscaya, one of the oldest regi- ments and most honorable in the service of Spain.
 "Who the devil is this fellow Macias?' swore Captain-General Concha, the honor ary colonel of the Cazadores de Biscaya, "and who recommended him for promo tion?' The old courier to whom this was addressed did not answer. He looked his friend in the eyes and slowly winked There was more eloquence in the sign than in a dozen orations by Emilio Castelar.
 In six months Macias was full colonel. "His merit as extraordinary her majesty explained to Concha. Macias made no emies. He studied to improve himself. He had masters in all branches of study and became one of the first scholars in the army and the first swordsman of Madrid. He went up step by step, until he was captain general of Madrid, the youngest to hold the honor.
 The story infiltrated itself through the society of all the Eurpean courts. Offen- bach the composer, heard it. It delighted his cynical soul. He has embalmed Ma UEE-g ~'s7' - Y 'Le Grande Duchesse de Geralein.' The Grande Duchesse promotes Boum in fifteen minutes from private soldier to general. This opera made Offenbach's fortune. All Europe recognized the characters as being very historical. indeed.
 Captain-General Macias has the chief mill itary command in Porto Rico. He has been a good executive officer for man of the Spanish court. His rule is charged with no scandals Captain-General Concha re- turned from Cuba after four years of rule with 20, ,G00O00 Spanish pesetas.
 Munoz, the governor-general, is the son of a great house. As he is illegitimate, he does not bear his fathers name.