Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-09-06

Lighter With the Money and Was
Equal to the Occasion.
The late Brigadier General William
Ludlow, U. S. A., was six footer and
was known among military men as the
"handsomest man in the army
The following story, says the Cleve'
land Leader, is told of an attempt by
wealthy contractort,to bride General
Ludlow, who at the time was in charge
Of some public improvement:
Good afternoon, Zheneral Ludlow
and the American military commander
of the city of Havana lifted his eyes
from a document he was examining
and greeted his visitor. The latter was
an oily, smooth tongued, plausible Span
lard, by name-well, have forgotten
it, if ever | did know it, but Maduro
will answer the purpose. He was one
of those fellows whose politenesS makes
such an unusual impression on guile
less, unworlQly, romantic girls, VINO
imagine we'll groomed, slick looking
foreigner with piercing black eyes and
hair and beard to match is ''too lovely
for anything until they get on to his
curves. But Ludlow had not lived IN
Havana without learning few OF the
characteristics Of these princes OF sim
ulators and hypocrites, and as he ask
ed Senior Maduro to have chair ne
was ready for almost anything except
what happened, and even at that he
was equal to the occasion
But before the stranger sat down ne
extended his right hand to the general,
saying at the same time, Il am so
+ ple-e-ezed to see you, zheneral.".
While his well fabricated tongue and
right palm were thus engaged momen-
tarily Maduro's left was playing Its
little part. The Spanard had cunning
ly reached over Ludlow's desk with
that member, and as he took his seat
and it was withdrawn the officers
sharp. quick eye noted that $50 bill
was lying under lis nose. He OWNED
instantly Tx purpose OF Maduro's visit
AID almost rs quickly made up his
mind what to do. Without appearing
to Lave see! the currency smuggling Sc
have jumped into it lie assumed q
pleasant, debonair manner and inQuir
cd, We'll. senior, what can l do for
you today?"
Maduro already was beginning to
think he had won his game. His eyes
sparkled. lis face lit up with happy
smile, and in his most courteous tone
he said:
well, zheneral, l would like to get
franchise-a concession, you know"
"Ull, yes" rejoined Ludlow, appar
emily entering into the spirit of the
other. "And of course you expect tc
pay for it?'
"Yes. yes" returned Maduro with ali
eagerness he could not conceal. III
nay for it-zomething" And then he
fixed his eyes on the $50 bill lying on
the desk. He looked at it 50 steadily
that Ludlow scarcely could restrain q
smile. and for fear of embarrassing the
visitor he, too, looked down and for the
first time appeared to see it. Then, as
though on the impulse Of the moment
and in order to show Maduro that be
understood and was appreciative. he
inquired:
'Do you smoke. Senor?'
Eyes, zheneral," Maduro answered,
thinking, too. that things We're coming
his way in great shape, II smoke ZONE
time"
"Eave cigar" And Ludlow handed
over a box Of Hayanas. These are
said to be excellent"
Maduro took one; so did Ludlow.
The American then picked up the fifty,
and as he rolled it idly into a long. thin
parer he remarked: "Senor, like these
and like all kinds Of money. Have Il
light"
Ludlow struck a match. and rs Ma
dulo made ready To receive it the Oil
Ger lit the $50 paper and handed it to
ey." continued the American noncnal-
antly. 1T makes sr"h convenient cigar
lighters
Maduro's hand trembled as be lit his
Havana with his own money. His face
was picture of conflicting emotion
and passion. 1t was gray and green
and red and white. His lips twitched,
and he was dumb when Ludlow. now
cXcelling the Castilian at his own pol.
ished politeness, remarked, iii take
light if you are through with it, and
then he, too, lit cigar with the price
of suit Of clothes.
Now. what kind of a franchise do
yon WANT" he went on, but Maluro
begged to be excused for the while.
pleading an Important engagement
elsewhere. Probably it was WITH
nearby cistern. where he could soak his
head, but lie did not say so. Maduru
had tried Spanish methods on an Amer
lean oficer-an officer who belonged to
the engineer corps of the Uuited States
arluy and was the personitcation of
integrity.