The herald., 1898-04-29
AN AMERICAN ROUT
Mrs. Johnson's Spanish Cook Made the
Postman Flee

-
When historians tell of the conflict be-
tween Spain and the United States they
will point to Staten island as the scene Of
the first battle, and will gravely remark
that 1t was another Bull Run. America S
forces retreated in confusion from Spain s.
DISPATCHES did not chronicle this moment
Gus affair, but prohibition Richmond was
shaken from center to circumference by It,.
The engagement took place in the quiet
"cold water home place on Wednesday.
Militant Spain was represented by Senorita
Cuella Blanco, dark-eyed, only % years old.
Her employer, E. w. Johnson, assistant
editor of the Voice, says she can cook like
a dream" but must admit that her loyalty
to the land of the toreador somewS@. over
shadows her love for America. Postonice
Mail Carrier Farrare composed the offens-
i've and defensive force of the United States
government, actively engaged.
In the veins of Miss Blanco flows the pure
blood of Spain, boiling al the least assault
| on her country. She recently came to Pro-
| hibition Park from Norfolk, Va, looking for
| employment as servant. Mrs. Johnson
engaged her, and thinks she has treas
| ure.
| Diplomatic relations with the gray-coat-
ed carrier were of the most peaceful ma
ture from the first. When the postman
strolled to the door to deliver mail there
was generally an interchange of pleasant
ries, until broken by the Cuban crisis. But
the entente was rudely broken in an incau-
tious moment.
Farrare on Wednesday morning handed
| to Miss Blanco a grocer'S postal card, noti-
| flying the Johnson family that there was a
slight rise in the price of eggs and butter.
AS he met the young woman at the door he
said pleasantly:
| "Ah, good morning Miss Cuella- By the
way, down with the Spaniards!"
| He realized next moment that he had dis
covered a masked battery. Fire shot from
the Spanish maiden's eyes-blood surged to
her cheeks, and made them flame. She
waved savagely big butcher knife she
| held in her hand at ina ginary foes, and
Kissed at the astounded postman:
"Carramba! Muerto por ell Cubano!
| To the amazed Farrere there was some
thing decidedly hostile in the swinging
knife with which Miss Blanco was punctu-
ating her cry of death to the Cubans. He
backed off in dismay, but distance did not
satisfy the valiant representative of ARA.
gon and CASTLE. She advanced toward him
still calling down upon Cubans and Amer
leans misfortunes commensurate with theil
attitude to Spain and jabbing with her long
knife to give emphasis to her words.
| According to Mr.. Johnson, the gray-coat-
ed carrier became fearful of his personal
safety at last, and, drawing pistol COM
manded the amazonian champion Of the
boy king to stand back. She only laughed
and continued to talk and to swing her
knife in way that dazzled her opponent
Mr.. johnson says the government defender
finally ran, leaving his cap as evidence OF
defeat. Several small boys and little girls
who had seen the encounter from a dis
tance ran away shouting for help. Among
the luxuries of Prohibition Park are many
women's clubs, each of which has recently
adopted resolutions that when the United
States and Spain shall go to war Prohibi-
tion Park must necessarily be the first
point to be attacked by the Spaniards. This
action has strung the nerves Of the women
of the park to a high tension, and when
the child witnesses of the conflict told the
news panic Immediately ensued. Until
the evening Communication trains brought
home the men, Prohibition Park was in a
state of seige. Miss Blanco is still SSok-
ing the Johnson meals, and uses her trusty
knife for peaceful kitchen purposes Far.
rare is endeavoring to patch up an aruais
tice.-New York Herald.