The times., 1898-07-03
ie1-15t-eod-s

and as president of the Manila Univer-
sity was looked upon as a Ieader in the
educational and scientific as well as the
social life Of his beloved FfIipinos.'' But
above all, he was a lover of equality.
SPANS yoke did not chafe his shoulders.
but he looked about him, and saw that
his feIlow-countrymen were not so fortu-
nate Why should my lot be different
from theirs?' exclaimed the impetuous
South Sea islander.
No idle dreamer was this man II is
true he was a poet, but ne was poet
of humanity. He did not view life
through rose-eoIored glasses. He looked
the world squareIy in the face. and his
muse held a scalpel in her hand He
tore the bandages from the blinded eyes
Of Justice, that she might see the hy-
procrisy, the cruelty. the oppression
which surrounded her.
He was not satisfied in his own mind
that the pen was mightier than the
sword. II will find out" he said. And
he fought with both.
As a revoiutionist he az once became
prominent The natives of the lower
class regarded him with superstitious awe
and reverence. They said he was favored
of the gods.
1t was while living in exile at Perrin,
on the island of Dolphin. that DR.. Rizal
met the woman who became his wife and
his widow in one day-December 6, 1896
On that day he was led out in the prison
yard at Manila, and shot in the back
Just before his execution he prophesied
that if the sentence of death was carried
out Spain would lose the Philippines
within ten years He little dreamed that
in less than eighteen months the gallant
Dewey would enter Manila harbor and
humble Spain in the dust
The romantic marriage in Manila pris-
on was one of the notable events in the
career OF this remarkable man The
bride was born at Hong Kong although
her parents were Europeans. Her father
was in poor health, and in August. 1894.
she accompanied him 10 Manila, where
II was thought the climate would be
beneficial. After sojOurn OF six months
at Manila. they journeyed 10 Perrin.
where DR.. Rial was called in as at
tending physician.
II was a case of love al first sight and
ultimately the engagement was an
nounced. Uupon promise of his freedom,
DR.. Rial was tricked into returning 10
Manila, where he was placed on board
to Spain.
on arriving at Barcelona he was de-
tanned by the authorities. who declared
that he was one of the chiefs of the Kata-
punin and ordered that he be sent back
to Manila for trial
The time of execution was fixed for De-
cember 9Th. At O'Clock on that fateful
morning Miss Taufer was admitted to his
cell A priest was in attendance upon the
condemned man. In two hours the exc
cution would take place. The scene was
most affecting
Dr. Rizal, seized with a sudden inspira-
ton, proposed that a marriage ceremony
be performed. TO which Miss Taufer
eagerly assented. And there with the
early rays of the tropical sun streaming
through the little barred window of the
cell. resting like a benediction upon the
heads of the sad little group, the solemn
words were spoken which joined the low
ers in the holy bonds OF wedlock-
Till death do us part repeated the
bride and groom. A stified sob burst
from the throat OF the somber-robed
priest.
The wife remained with her husband
until the summons came Then they led
her away. DR.. Rial was conducted 70
the place of execution He remarked that
he freely fOrgave all those who had done
him evil as he hoped for forgiveness him
he spoke hush fell upon the group OF
soIdiery as he proudly asserted his mar
tyrdom and predicted the downfall of
Spanish rule.
At last the fatal moment arrived. The
order was given to fire. There was the
rattle of musketry, and the rigid body
of the hero of the Philippines swayed.
then fell forward. The surgeons pro-
nOunced him stone dead. Seven Spanish
bullets had penetrated his back and
ploughed their way through the vitals.
A week later the widow set of on foot
for the rebel camp at linus. She was hail
ed as a modern Joan of Arc. and was re-
ceived with a great demonstration. She
assumed command of a company of in
surgents armed with rifles and took the
field, winning more than one victory over
the Spanish troops. She made her head
quarters at Naic, in Cavite Province.
Mrs RiLal is now in this country. and
is said to be working with a view of cre-
ating a Philippine junta- TO work in con-
junction with the Cuban junta-