Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-07-15
! DON
BY GRANVILLE TRARE
Copyright, 1901, by Granville Trare

vVVVVVYNVNVVvY
Don Felipe, banker Of Manila, knew
that to lie for the good of the church
is virtue, and he was not the man to
separate religion and business. His
devotion to the strong box was no less
ardent than his ambition never to fail
Of counting the requisite number or
beads on Sunday or to confess to Fa-
ther Jose at least once a quarter. So
Don Felipe lied with readiness when
the church or his pesetas were con-
cerned, especially the pesetas.
Therefore was he considered good
citizen. and thereby also he incurred
the wrath of two heretics, impolite
Americans with ancient Springfields
| in their hands and un-Spanish ideas in
| their prairie grown brains.
| But the brains and the rifles served
Don Felipe well once when. just after
| their arrival. he offered two thousand
| ("MeX.'J to PrivateS Turner and Lar
| son for the rescue Of his twelve-year-
old son. who was supposed to be at the
| plantation La Honradez in the lnte-
| rior.
The colonel. on whose ranch the two
| had punched steers, was obdurate
when they went to him about it. But
Larson had often worsted him at pok-
er. and out of respect for the man he
| finally gave him permission to try Tor
the reward. AS for Turner. the "old
| man, loathed him for shiftless dog
| and considered it only a question
whether he would some time reach his
death 10y Mauser bullets or by order OF
a court martial.
So Don Felipe sent his emissaries
jungleward, to return after three
| months with medley of bruises and
boards of long standing and wide
sweep. They brought the boy, and he
| was bruised about the ears.
HE thought he was the king Of
these cannibal isles" Turner said
I'VE had to cuff the little devil good
deal to teach him his place. At first
he ordered us around as II he was born
in shoulder straps, but we soon taught
him that travelling in the jungle isn't
the same thing as lying in a hammock
| and having nigger to work the fan.
| That trip was good thing for the Kid
1t would have been good thing for
any of these satin skinned Spaniards. y
1t was philosophy, but Don Felipe
was no philosopher. He was indig-
| nant and went to the colonel. The colo
mel in turn was indignant and showed
| him the door, whereat Don Felipe
| waxed more wrathy than ever. He
swore In fervid Castilian, brandishing
his fiabby fists, and told Turner and
Larson to get their pay where they
might.
| 1t was q bluff. lie, to save the re-
| ward. for IL more cutting would have
Welded more gold he would have kept
| the boys ears roaring like canebrahe
in a monsoon. But what was to be
done? The military government must
be lenient with the resident population,
! advertising its benevolent intentions.
| Moreover, how were soldiers, who, ac-
| cording to the sergeant's book. had
been spending their time in barracks
to receive pay for nasty job some
| where in the jungle!
| Larson was stupefied. The ingratl-
tude Of the man was beyond him. III
| was an hour before he recovered from
the shock. and when the eruption final
ly began Turner stopped him.
Return good for evil" he admon-
ished.
Larson was dazed anew. and his
dumbness returned upon him.
I'VE must" continued Turner. 1T
| is best for him that he should pay his
honest debts. and we must do what
we can to make him see his best In
terests."
1t was Saturday night and Larson
was eager for canteen drill, but Tur-
ner objected. He turned in early to
think.
Monday morning, and Don Felipe sat
at his desk, look, half anger, hai1
terror on his face and his right hand
srasping nervously for his cane. The
intruder was Turner. Don Felipe's ap-
prehensions were soon quieted, how
ever. Turner stopped at three PAGES
from the door. hat in hand, and made
deep Obeisance.
"Will the senor grant Inc a word?
| Don Felipe radiated majesty for a
half minute, then pronounced:
81 shall hear you"
Turner expressed gratitude.
"The senor no doubt expects to dis
pose of his plantation"
No reply.
"The condition Of the country is ex'
tremely unsettled and the future is un-
certain. The new administration may
not be friendly to Spanish interests.
Being an American, am willing to
place capital here. In case the senor
wishes to dispose of the plantation my
friend and l are prepared to offer a
satisfactory price"
Don Felipe was astonished at hear
ing a private refer to himself as q
capitalist, but he reflected that the man
must be merely an agent, and, more,
over, even the shadow Of such an op'
portunity would have been worth
grasping at. But business policy die
tated delay, and Don Felipe bade his
caller to an interview the day FOL
lowing.
"Well?" queried Larson as Turner
came back from the second encounter.
Good. His standing me off for day
was pure bluff. He was dead anxious
All there is left for US to do is to sign
the papers and turn over the money
Larson contorted his visage express
lively.
when do we sign the papers?"
Saturday evening, and We are to DC
Il in style-invite dozen or two OF the
pvsh and have a blowout at the castle
of his higl;less. = ba.luet Is Always
in order with t,.tsc Spaniards. A Span
lard couldn't lave his mustache curleo
without giving a dinner"
Numerous paper lanterns rivaled the
splendor o. twenty white uniforms IN
the paviit Il that served for banquet
hall. and the Iiory thereof was ful.
HOOD EHRM
i Condition POWder.