The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-15
Friends Of Principals Go and Events
Regarded as Functions
POLITICS AND LOVE CHIEF CAUSES.
Gen. Brooke Called Upon Courts 10 More
Strictly Enforce Law, Which Was Much
Too LsnIsnt unisr Spanish Dominion.

Cuba stilI chngs to the code duello as
the arbiter of all diputes, and the duel In
Cuba has for years been one OF the most
solid institutions or that very unstable
country. 1t is one, too. which will die the
hardest death under a new government,
as II figures prominently in every phase
OF social and business life.
Cuban must know how to fence and
TO fence well. 1t is one of the chief points
in his education, and from four to six
hours a day are spent I'm practice with
the fols.
On the shelves of the Havana book
stores a large number of pamphlets can
always be found setting forth the advan-
tages of the "code of honor" the etiquette
to be observed in meeting and the prop
or weapons 10 be used.
The sword. sabre and pistol are the rec
ognized arms, and there are few If any OF
the young bloods of Havana and other
large cities OF the island who are not ex-
pert with all three
In the Union Club. at Havana, sword
and pistol practice are the leading diver
sions, and nearly all the prominent news
paper men have records as dueists.
CHIEF CAUSES OF QUARREL.
Politics and love affairs are the chief
causes OF quarrel. The front OF the Hotel
Inglaterra Ia a noted rendezvous for aris-
tocratic men of leisure. who spend their
spare time in looking for a chance 10 cross
swords.
Another place equally prolific In pro-
ducing duels is the entrance TO the Iacon
Theatre, on the Prado, during the opera
season. The ladies pass from their car
riages over long strip of carpet, which
Is laid from the street to the marble steps,
and on either side of this the young men
congregate and wait for a glance or a
smile. fs aI 4sa
Scarcely an opera night passes that
cards are not exchanged, and many
brides have been won at the point of the
sword. one young society man laying low
as many as seven OF his rivals No at
tempt is made to keep duel secret. On
the contrary. II is usually attended by all
the friends OF the combatants.
One of the most famous characters In
Cuba is Augustin Cervantes, aptly called
the Modern Cyrano," and in appearance
he is the typical chevalier OF fiction. Ger
vantes Is about 32 years old, slim and
graceful. He has a hand OF iron and
wrist of steel. dark hair, restless black
eyes and small mustache 1t is said
and has never been seen to smile.
RARELY AT SOCIAL FUNCTIONS.
rumor went i'm circulation not many
years ago that young Cuban beauty and
heiress had committed suicide because she
had become infatuated with Cervantes
and. failed To gain his love. but he is
rarely seen at social functions, preferring
the gaming tables and the demi- monde to
a tanner If more respectable existence.
Don Augustin has thirty-five duels to
his credit, and has been wounded only
twice. When PIN. the celebrated French
fencer. was in Havana he was defeated
twice by Cervantes, whom he declared to
be more expert with the rapier than any
other man against whom he had tried his
skill.
Cervantes' principal pastme is looking
for trouble, and he is usually very sue
cessful In this line. No one ever knows az
what he viii take offence This makes
him dangerous companion, and conse-
quently he has few intimates. To differ
with him I'm opinion means "a meeting be-
hind the fortress of Cabanas.
To accidentally jostle him i'm n crowd Is
likely to terminate the awkward unfortu-
Mates existence. Although he openly de-
clares his disbelief In woman's virtue, he
is ever ready TO defend II when question
ed by another. and the fairer sex can
safely place the righting of their wrongs
i'm his efficient hands.
METHODS OF CERvANTEs.
One story that is tad of him is that one
night, while escorting n fair danseuse
from the stage door of the theatre TO her
carriage, Spanish officer standing near
made some remark about the lady's per-
sonal charms.
Accustomed TO such notice. the dancer
paid no attention To the speaker Ger
vantes put his companion in her carriage,
schatted for a moment at the door. and
then returned TO where the Spaniard was
talking with his friends. and without
word handed him his card.
But actress demonstrated the
challenged man. enjoys being compli-
mented. ] had no intention of insulting
her.
sActress or NOT ronlied farvan,.s