Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-12-08

800 HAT caused the bitter FEELING
W that existed between the Mon.
tana and California regiments
Is of no consequence. Both Organiza-
tons were composed Of the sort of
men accustomed to fight at the drop
of the hat for little or no reason. Per
haps this fact alone is sufficient to ac-
count for the open feud that kept the
provost marshal of Manila In an eX-
tremely anxious state Of mind during
the last few months Of '9S.
The Montana men had been a trifle
worsted in the open conflict which took
place at the Austrian Cafe, near the
Santa Cruz end of the Suspension
Bridge. Consequently they roamed
about the city, in droves Of three and
four, looking for Californians.
Jack Radford. of the California regi-
ment, was strolling through the Quia-
pc district one evening while this trOu-
BILE was at It's height. Three stalwart
figures darted from around a corner
and blocked his passage.
whats yer regiment?" growled one
Radford backed up against wall
"First California, and be hanged to
you," he replied. He downed the first
one, but the other two were on him In
a flash, hurting him to the ground.
His head struck violently against the
bottom Of the wall. rendering him un-
conscious.
When Radford came to his senses he
found himself lying on a couch in
richly furnished room. anxiously
watched over by an old mestizo wom-
an and radiantly beautiful mestizo
girl He stared about him in helpless
amazement.
1.-THE senior has recovered?" inquired
the girl in Spanish. the most musical
Of languages.
Radford replied that he was entirely
recovered. and pressed his hand
against his head. which was still throb-
bling violently.
From my balcony" explained the
girl, II see three men attack you.
towards" and the dark eyes flashed.
you fight, but they are too many.
When they go away I send my SER
wants to bring you here"
Radford, still in a half-dazed condi-
ton. muttered something about thanks.
but she checked him with a gesture Of
her little hand.
ut Is nothing" she said. "The Fill
ipinos and Americanos are friends.
But l do not understand. How is it
that Americanos fight Americanos? Is
It an insurrection?
Radford felt the large lump on the
back Of his head and smiled a wan
smile. ITS a joke-an American
JOKE" he explained.
The girl shook her head and seemed
decidedly puzzled. That form Of jest
ing was beyond her.
II must CO." said the soldier, re-
gretfully. 1t is very late. But-may
l come again some timer"
1.-THE Casa Pillar Is always at the
disposal Of our Americana friends"
replied the girl. formally. "And we
shall be glad to see you again."
The first clause meant nothing in
particular, but the second contained
the desired permission. Radford de-
parted to his barracks very much
elated and blessing the Montana men
who had knocked him into such par
adise. He produced Spanish libro
primerO from his knapsack, and sat
down beside his bunk feverishly trying
to perfect himself in the language. But
when TAPS" sounded he became sud
denly conscious that he had been gaz-
ing for half. an hour at the same page
and seeing nothing but the face of
Dolores del Pillar.
On his second visit to the casa, Rad
ford discovered that his Good Samari-
tan was a decided advocate Of Aguin-
aldo and all his doctrines. Her father
was with the Army of the "Republica
Filipina," also her brother, and her
cousin was General Pho del Pillar.
Jack Radford. with most of his
brethren, had reached the conclusion
that the Filipinos We're hunting trou-
BILE, emphatically certain that they
would find it. and believing, also, that
1t was highly desirable that they
should find it with all possible speed
The volunteers wanted to make a clean
and quick job of the Filipino problem,
for they We're becoming tritle home
sick.
"Is it true that the Americanos will
not give the Filipinos their independ-
ence?' asked Dolores.
81 do not know" he replied, evasive-
". Il am only soldier"