Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-30
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
Ole Disposition of
a Scrap of Paper
IOriginal.1


all whom it may concern" Stating that
l was Il lieutenant in the United States
army and authorized 10 collect informa-
tion for the benefit of the United States
touching the Spanish resources in the
island. 1t was written on small, thin
piece of paper, in order that it might
be unpretentious in appearance, and
slowed in the smallest possible space.
Before reaching the island L thought
out the lest place TO keep my letter. l
knew that if l was suspected and
searched by the SpaniarGs the finding
Of 1t would cost me my life. 1t would
not avail to conceal it in my clothing,
for one hunting for evidence against
me would surely expose all these places
i'll which spies hide their papers. Major
Andre concealed the documents relat
ing 10 the delivery of West Point to the
British in his boots. lie would as well
have held it in his hand-better, for in
his hand he might have got rid of it be-
Tore being searched. / determined to
keep my letter in my vest pocket and in
case of necessity trust to luck to lose
or destroy'it.
entered the island on q barren spot,
having been put on shore by the dingey
of Il gunbCat. The Cuban forces were
in the vicinity, and l soon ran across
them. Knowing that 1 could establish
my identity with them, / concluded to
try the experiment of getting rid of my
letter before being examined. L had no
time to think out any special plan of
action and chose the first method that
occurred TO me. Putting my fingers
into my vest pocket, 1 rolled the letter
into little ball, then, pretending to
scratch mosquito bite on my neck,
crammed it into my ear. The action
was not noticed, but when l gave no
good account of myself the Cubans
searched me and found the letter.
which could be easily seen. l explained
my action and after some difficulty OBJ
tanned their confidence, but l was
somewhat discouraged as to the feast
bility of eliminating my letter
l passed from one body to another,
making a circuit of that portion of the
island near Havana, accommodating val
liable information as 1 proceeded. and
at last reached the coast. / should have
destroyed my letter as soon as I'struck
salt water, but feared that l might
need it, especially, TO induce CubaDs to
, help me to a ship. 1 was making for
point to which 1 had been directed by
the revolutionists and, instead of find
ing friends, ran into a camp of Spanish
soldiers without any opportunity to dc
stroy my letter.
l was taken to the quarters of the
90 Il IN xr~la n
scented myself Il spoke Spanish tolera-
bly, welD as an American citizen engag-
ed in buying sugar. Tie asked for some
evidence OF my identity, which L was
unable 10 furnish. Not desiring 10 be
the means of bringing on a cOmplica-
ton with the great republic, in order to
gain time TO find out something about
me he said that since there were cut
throat bands of Cubans about 1 would
better not hasten my departure.
thanked him for his interest in my
safety and showed no desire to be off.
though the bit of paper in my pocket
seemed to he burning Il hole in my side.
There was Il fireplace in the room. and
few embers were on the hearth. If
there had been blaze. 1 should have
taken the chances and tossed the letter
into it, AS it was. it would not burn be-
fore it could be snatched away.
Pardon me if 1 do little writing"
said the officer. and, seating himself at
table, he went TO work. His position
was such that he had only to raise his
eyes to see me, and l noticed that he
raised them very often, though most of
the time 1 stood with my back TO him,
looking into the fireplace. l knew that
1 would not be allowed to depart with
out satisfactory proofs that was what
1 represented and that sooner or later
would be searched. The paper must
be destroyed or l would be shot. l call
ed up all the steadiness there was in
me, for 1 knew that ii was only by my
powers of invention and GOODNESS of ac-
ton that could save my life. Sudden
ly saw a hOrseman galloping up TO the
house recognized him as n Spaniard
who had met and suspected me the day
before and from whom 1 had been
saved by the sudden appearance of 4
body of Cubans. Less than q minute
remained in which to form and execute
plan to get rid of my letter.
1t has always seemed to me that the
suggestion which flashed into my mind
must have been put there by some
guardian spirit. How it came. whence
it came, 1 cannot otherwise explain.
Taking cigar from my pocket, stoop-
ed and endeavored to light it from the
embers. After fumbling Intellectually a
few moments 1 felt in my pockets for
bit of paper. Taking out my letter, I
hastily twisted it into wiSp, put the
end in the Goals and blew upon it. 1t
burst into Il flame, which l held to my
cigar. 1 heard chair scrape ON the
floor at my back and knew that the Of
ficer was rising to come and stop me.
Holding the ignited end of the paper
downward, it was but moment before
it was burned. Crumpling the charred
ashes in my hands, I tossed them into
the firenlnce: then rising turned and.