Middletown transcript., 1900-12-01
I. Hofman's Object Lesson. !.
BY JOHN J. A'BECKET.


The result was that he made no effort to
prevent Mrs. Ordway from hastily taking
passage on ship for New York. She
wept every day on the voyage back.
Ordway, deserted in his Peruvian iso-
lation, brooded and fumed like smol-
dering volcano. This insolent, rich,
young Pedro d'Alcantara Martinez had
alienated his wfe's affection, had wrecked
his home, had ruined his life. Ordway's
thirst for revenge became mania. There
was no equilibrium in the world until he
had, in some degree, evened things with
this cursed Peruvian. But how2 His
pride recoiled at the thought Of Mrs.
Ordway being publicly known as the
cause Of any quarrel. Yet every day that
passed without word from her added to
his wrath. Poor woman She was too
hurt to make any advances, while Ord
ways wounded pride kept him from
overtures looking to reconciliation. The
"animal rationale" as metaphysicians
define man, has the unique trick Of kick
ing himself violently in excesses of dis
comfture.
Just at this melancholy point in Ord
ways fortune he met an American, who
became a solace to him, since he, too,
seemed to be harboring some carking care.
His name was Gustav Holman. Ord
ways interest in him was still more
aroused when be learned that he had for
three years been exploring, like Wan
dering Jew, an unknown region Of South
America. It Law in the northearte'n
part Of Peru, contiguous to Ecuador and
Brazil, desolate territory, traversed by
the Yavary river, one Of the tributaries
of the Amezon.
1t was Hofman's first return to civilizs-
ton since he bad plunged into this rude
solitude, inhabited by tribe OF Indians,
called the Yurimacas. Holman had many
interesting things to tell Ordway about
these Indians. As rule, gentle and un-
molesting, in war they display feroeity
not surpassed by the most savage tribes.
They have singular hatred of white
men, notably Of Spaniards, whom they
associate with the conque.ors Of their
country. This bizarre fire of patriotism
makes it almost certain death to a white
to venture among these childish, but fe-
rocious, jingoes.
Holman evidently felt some pride in
having penetrated this Yurimaca strong
hold, and, 50 far from being Lilled, to
have conciliated their friendship. One
Of them,a young Yurimaca named Huaie,
was bis companion Of this tip to Lima.
Holman, it seems, had once rescued him
from tigress, and ever since Huaje hid
been as devoted to him as faithful dog.
He was of medium height, 1.-THE and SID
eWy, with bigh check bones, small, ,pierc-
ing eyes, under heavy eyebrows, and
stolid, but not unintelligent, expression.
His long, black hair hung like a hoses
name from bis head, but it was silky
fine, a characteristic of bis tribe. His
devotion to the rather gloomy Poiman
was almost pathetic. Such confding
trust stirred Ordway to sympathy.
It CHANGED one evening that the three
we're together in popular cafe in Lima.
While they were sitting there in their
respective degrees Of taciturnity, Pedro
d. 'AlcantaTa entered with two or three
gay compsnions. They bad hardly seated
themselves when bis bot, rowing glance
discovered the two, with the solemn, 81
lent Huaie sitting between them. A
malignant glitter sparkled in d'Alcan-
tara's eyes as they rested on the young
Indian. He called the proprietor, and
had some quick, impe.ious words with
him. The latter made bis way to the
trio at the distant table, and told the In
dian that he must withdraw.
"Why r. demanded Holman brusquely.
Because one Of the guests, distin-
guished patron, objects to taking bis
coffee with low Indian in the company"
replied the proprietor. You do not have
to 60. He can wait outside, or will give
him what he wants with the servants"
be added, conciIiatingly.
This noble gentleman is Senior Mar
tinez, is it not r. asked Ordway, with
sneer. He had darted glance around
the room and detected the hated Span
lard.
'Yes," replied the proprietor. "He
has right 70 nhiiect, Ct, Just Just yeu #ealldd
have, and must consider bis objections
just as 7 would yours"
Holman shrugged his shoulders, though
his heavy forehead took on a heavy
scowl for moment.
"Finish your coffee" " be said to Huaie,
and we will go. It is more sensible than
to have brawl. Do you know this fas-
tidious young buck, Ordway?" be asked.
eyes. have reason to know him too
well. lie is one Of those Internally use
less whelps that cumber the earth, and
make fools of women. He has done this
to annoy me. You need not mind it, and
do not suppose your young Indian will
care, when you explain the reason"
Huaje certainly appeared as unmoved
as a stone. His solemn gravity almost
lent touch Of humor to the situation.
Holman glanced at his protege, with
slight, but significant, smile. He said
drily:
''They do not love the Spaniards at
best. The situation is amusing, for it's
hard to tell which of US is most affronted.
! brought Huaie here as my friend. He
is turned out. You imagine it is done to
worry you. Senior What s-his-name
scored fairly well with bis one shot"
'There is no doubt the insult was
meant for me, and 1 am grateful to the
beast for it." replied Ordway. with
wrath. ''The cur has at last given me
an opportunity to get even with him
without having my wife's name come up.
Let US 60" he added, rising.
They walked slowly out. When thev