Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-11
SHMOCKS UNHAPPY ROLE
CALLED on To PAY A Rig T,RICE FOR
HIS LIFE.
A Wartime Story Of the Philippines
Ups and Downs Incident to
n Military Rule.


From tbs Manila American.
Wealth does not always purchase tmmu-
nifty from trouble, but little money often
comes In very handy. Senior Don Florentno
Pamintuan is reputed to be one of the rich
est citizens of Luzon. And yet In the light
of recent events 1t is probable that he con-
siders himself a very unfortunate man.
Whether he is to he called lucky or I'M
lucky. certain ii Is since the commence
ment of the insurrection Pamintuan has
been in several unenviable pred.caments.
At first he was an ardent insurgent, and
his insurrectionary proclivities. coupled
with something else. obtained for him
the promise Of a hangmans moose from
one American commander. But eventually
it was said that bygones should be bygones
and Pamntuan returned to his home in
San Fernando Life for him. however. was
not one long sweet song. When he shook
the insurgent cause, upon his devoted head
there fell the maledictions of the insur-
rectos. Curse him." they said. "he has be-
trayed us! Let US have our revenge"
Before Insurgent General.
On May 10 Pamintuan was spirited .out
of San Fernando and brought before the in
surgent general Hizon. who had his tenn
porary headquarters in small barrio
about midway between Mabalcat and Mex
ico Hizon is one of the characters Of the
insurrection. Elusive the liveliest flea,
he jumps from place to place and keeps
continually just out of reach. When Hizon
enters a barr.o relays of sentinels. men,
women and children (all "amigos'D. are
placed on every trail leading into the town.
Should a detachment of Americans ap-
proach the alarm is given, the guns are
hidden, the rebel soldiers hastily attire
themselves in peaceful white. and Hizon
hes himself to some secluded spot, where
% lies until limited
have left. Occasionally HiZon puts on the
garb of a Filipino laborer and rides forth
on the back of carabao. or. perchance.
he travels in a carromatta. The willy old
gentleman is said to be an adept at dis
guising himself. and SO far he has been
ingenious enough not to be captured. AL
stantly afraid of being caught by the Sd or
41st Infantry. he nevertheless continues to
keep many natives in great fear Of him.
Pamintuan Doomed to Die.
With feeling that it was 'all up with
him" Pamintuan was brought before Hizon.
The insurgent general was the personifica-
ton of sternness. Pamintuan was doomed
to die. He was accused Of having given in
formation to the Americans. of discourage
ing rebel enistments in San Fernando. he
no longer contributed to the support of the
insurrection and had refused to assist in
getting a notorious insurgent out Of jail.
HiZon was both judge and jury. The YER
dict was guilty as charged" and the death
sentence was passed immediate Pamin-
tuan pleaded for his life. For Gods sake
for the sake of his wife and family. he beg
ged them not to kill him. but Hizon would
not listen. Prayers and entreaties were
answered by orders to prepare for death.
Seeing that there was no other aiterna-
tive. Pamintuan offered the insurgent gen.
eral money to let him go. For while
Hizon was obdurate.. but finally named
S1S.OO0 Mexican as the price of Pamin-
tuans release Don Florentinos affa rs
were In such shape that he did not have "at
instantaneous command so much cash
But he promised to pay down half of this
sum at once if he was allowed to communi-
cate with his wife. The balance was to be
forthcoming in fortnight. Pamintuan's
life was 10 be forfeited if the money was
not paid.
~, ,,. x,,,.
rum MS
AT Hfzon's dictation Pamintuan wrote to
Sonora Pamintuan in San Fernando, telling
her that he was a nr,soner and uould die on
tho DO, fo,,ou.i, &c co 900 -. ~. - -
-o ' g." %,.'o q. iio' peio l"
person named by Hlzon The wife was
strictly forbidden. on penalty of Pamin-
tuan.s death to sbox tho lattar r, the