Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-07-02
t DON -.
! FELIPE -
By GRANVILLE TRARE
Copyright, 1901, by Granville Trare
By GRANVILLE TRARE
pyright, 1901, by Granville Trare

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Don Felipe, banker Of Manila, knew
that to lie for the good Of the church
is q 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 of
beads on Sunday or to confess to Fa-
ther Jose at least once quarter. So
Don Felipe lied with readiness when
the church or his pesetas We're 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
CMex.') 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 inte-
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 for
the reward. AS for Turner, the ''old
man. loathed him for u shiftless dog
and considered 1t only question
whether he would some time reach his
death by Mauser bullets or by order of
court martial.
So Don Felipe sent his emissaries
jungleward, to return after three
months with q 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.
1--WE had to cuff the little devil a good
deal to teach him his place. At first
he ordered us around as If he was born
| In shoulder straps, but we soon taught
him that travelling In the jungle isn't
the same thing as lying In hammock
and having a niger to work the fan.
That trip was a good thing for the kid.
1t would have been good thing for
| any of these satin skinned Spaniards."
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 fabby fists, and told Turner and
Larson to get their pay where they
might.
1t was bluff, lie, to save the re-
| ward, for If more cutting would have
yielded more gold he would have kept
the boys ears roaring like u canebrake
In q monsoon. But what was to be
done? The military government must
be lenlent with the resident population,
advertising its benevolent Intentions.
Moreover, how were soldiers, who, ac-
cording to the sergeants book, had
been spending their time in barracks,
to receive pay for nasty job some
where in the jungle?
Larson was stupefied. The ingrati-
tude of the man was beyond him. 1t
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
duInbness returned upon him.
I'VE must" continued Turner. at
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, half
terror Oh his face and his right hand
grasping nervously for his cane. The
intruder was Turner. Don Felipe's ap-
prehensions We're soon quieted, how
ever. Turner stopped at three PAGES
from the door, hat in hand, and made
u deep obeisance.
"Will the senior grant me wordT
Don Felipe radiated majesty for
half minute, then pronounced:
II shall hear YOU"
Turner expressed gratitude.
1.-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
rot be friendly to Spanish interests.
Being an American, am willing to
place capital here. In case the senior
wishes to dispose of the plantation my
friend and l are prepared to offer a
satisfactory price"
Don Felipe was astonished at hear
ing private refer to himself as u
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
| al