Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-29
SMOKED WITH GEN. LUDLOW.
The General Furnished the Cigars and
the Spaniard the Light,

The General Furnished the Cigars and
the Spaniard the Light.
"Good afternoon, Zheneral Ludlow"
and the American military commander
Of the city of Havana lifted his eyes
frolu a document he was examining
and greeted his visitor The latter was
an oily. smooth-tongued, plausible
Spaniard, by name, well, l have
forgotten it, If ever did know it, but
Campos will answer the purpose. Be
fore the stranger sat down he extended
his right humid to the General, saying
at the same time, II am SO ple-e-ezed
to see you, Zheneral."
While his well-lubricated tongue and
right palm We're thus engaged momen-
tarily, Campos' left was playing its
little part. The Spaniard had cunning
ly reached over Ludlow's desk with
that member, and as lie took his seat
and 1t was withdrawn tn. officers
sharp, quick eye noted that a tifty-dol-
lar bill was lying under his nose. He
OWNED instantly the purpose cf Cam
pos visit, and almost as quickly made
up his mind what to do. Without ap-
pearing to have seen the currency snug
Cling SO close in his inside pocket that
1t might have jumped into it. lie as
sumed pleasant, debonalre manner,
and inquired: well, senior. what can
l do for you today"
Campos already was beginning to
think he had won his game. His eyes
sparkled, his face lit up will, happy
smile, and in his most courteous tone
he said:
we'll, Zheneral, would like to get
n franchise-a concession, you know"
"Oh, yes" replied Ludlow, apparent
ly entering into the spirit of the other,
land. of course. you expect to pay for
it?"
"Yes. yes." returned Campos with an
eagerness he could not conceal. iii
pay for it-zomething," and then he
fixed his eyes on the ffty-dollar bill
lying on the desk. He looked at it so
steadfastly that Ludlow scarcely
could restrain smile, and for fear of
embarrassing the visitor he, too, look
ed down, and for the first time appear.
ed to see it. Then. as though on the
impulse of the moment. and in order
to show Campos that he understood
and was appreclatlve, he inquired:
do you smoke. senorY'
Yes, Zheneral," Campos answered,
thinking, too. that things We're coming
his way in great shape. 81 smoke ZONE
time"
"Have cigar" and Ludlow handed
over box of fine Havanas. "These are
said to be excellent"
Campos took one; SO did Ludlow. The
American then picked up the fifty, and
as he rolled 1t idly into a long, thin
taper, he remarked: "Senor, l like
these. and like all kinds of money.
Have light"
Ludlow struck match, and MS
Campos made ready to receive it The
officer lit the fifty-dollar paper and
handed 1t to his caller. Yes, l like this
paper money" continued the AmUri-
can, nonchalantly, at makes such con-
yenient cigar lighters"
Campos' hand trembled az he lit his
Havana with his own moneS. His face
was picture of conflicting emotion
and passion. 1t was gray and green
and red and white. His lips twitcled,
and he was dumb when Ludlow, now
excelling the Castilian at his own pol
ished politeness, remarked: "I'll take
o light II you are through with It." and
then he, too, lit cigar with the prizes
A Q suit Of clothee