Evening star., 1898-10-22

he was the leading merchant in one OF the
most prosperous cities on the island out
side of Havana. The insurrection and the
animosity of the Spanish officials ruined
his trade. He remained through all the
period OF the troublous times until he
breaking out of war between Spain and the
United States. Now he has come back. and
finds himself in the midst Of younger and
pushing countrymen, who have capital and
who are the lookout for rverv opportu-
hity for money making. He - too old to
pick up the threads of the business tha-
was once his. and he could not procure the
means to start anew. After 4 time ne will
return to his relatives In the states, VINO
sought to dissuade him from his present
undertaking. This figure of the ruined Oil
merchant is pathetic. but it may be seen
elsewhere than in Cuba.
A different view is that presented by the
bustIing partner in a New York house
which has q large trade in Cuba Il came
down to see about collections" he said,
tersely. These Spanish merchants are all
right. Couldn't expect them to be paying
when the war shut off all intercourse. But
want to say for them that they kept send
Yng tneir drafts until the malls stopped,
and now they're not making excuses or
asking extensions. but are paying up They
had money in reserve somewhere l guess
q million people have asked me about the
chances of doing business down here. l
told them to come along and hunt for the
chance and they'd probably find it. bat they
won't oust these Spanish merchants in
Havana. The Cubans won't either. The
Cubans smart fellows but they'll never
do the business of this town. l shan't
worry about the government, but / want
the United States to run the custom house.
Keep that and let the Cubans have every
thing else
Satisfied With the Prospects.
Old Man Mac-is one of the old settlers
of American citizenship in Cuba who is
thoroughly satisfied with the prospects for
himself and for bis countrymen under the
new conditions. 1 shall not give his full
name. because he is modest and does not
seek notoriety. Those who have been here
know him; those who come will get to know
him: those who have neither privilege must
be content with his personality. Old Man
Mac did considerable business as a con-
tractor and became a property owner. When
he came to Havana he brought a large
stock of American aggressiveness. and he
never disposed of 1t. His dislike and his
distrust of the Spaniards were intense.
Old Man Mac always thought the United
States was too lenient in dealing with
Spanish authority. He would tell how the
English consul had shamed cowarcly
American consul when young Crittenden
of Kentucky and other Americans wera
executed at Atares Castle for tilibustering.
That was in the ffties. The English con-
sui went to the place of execution stretch
ed out his cane. told every prisoner who
pass under IL and def1ed the Spanish exc
cutioners to touch one of them. This hap
pened before the coming OF Young Man
Mac. but it was fresh enough ON his ar
rival to be verified. He was in Havana
during the ten years revolution. saw the
infamous butchery Of the medical students
ard gnashed his teeth when the United
States let Spain out of the Nirgln1uS out
rage so easily.
When the late insurrection began Old Man
Mac was strengthened in his conviction
that the Spanish character was hopeiess.y
cruel and ferocious. while ne grieved over
the appareat Indifference of his own gov
err ment to the rights of its citizens. Ills
first gleam OF rejoicing came when Consul
General FitZhUgh Lee took the stand which
electrified the country. After that he hal
alternate moods of hope and despair. All
this time he kept on with his business, AMI
though the Spanish authorities knew his
sentiments. they let him alone. He was al
UayS declaring that business would null
tipIy twenty-fold when the Spanish fas
came down. and that there would be room
for twenty Americans where one was then
able to find opening
After the Maine was blown up Old Man
Mac wept and swore for week. In
the period OF diplomacy that followed he
was raging tiger. A dozen times L had
HIM back me up against a building or push
NE into a corner while he demanded, herce-
ly What are they doing in Washington
His story s getting to be too much n chap
ter of history, and / will close it by stating
that Old Man Mac is at last thoroughly
satisfied with his government, with the ad-
ministrat1u that is in power at Washing
ton and With the opportunities for business
In Cuba. l have not exchanged a word
with him. but have seen him pass along
the street three times. The working of his
square jaws the click with which his heel
comes down on the stone pavement. the
spring in his gait, the swagger with which
he strides aICFg, all tell an unmlstaka bic
tale Of satisfaction.
CHARLES NJ PEPPER.