Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-07-09
DON w.
FELIPE
BY GRANVILLE TRARE
BY GRANVILLE TRARE
Copyright, 1901. by Granville Trare

4 3~.AH~3%(3%.A@ %@~:%.~:~"~
Don Felipe, banker of Manila, knew
that to lie for the good Of the church
IS a 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-
Their Jose at least once Il 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 Springhelds
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.'0 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, Oh 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 a shiftless dog
and considered it only a question
whether he would some time reach his
death by Mtuser bullets or by order or
q court martial.
So Don Felipe sent his emissaries
iungleward, to return after three
months with a medley of bruises ana
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 good
deal TO teach him his place. At first
he ordered us around rs 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 ran
That trip was a good thing for the Kid.
II would have been good thing Ior
INV of these satin skinned Spanards.
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
vaxed more wrathy than ever lie
swore in fervid Castillan, brandishlng
his nabby fists, and told Turner ana
Larson to get their pay where they
might.
If was a bluff. lie, to save the re-
ward, for If more cutting would nave
Welded more gold he would have kept
fine boys ears roaring like canebrake
in Il monsoon. But what was to be
done2 The military government must
be lenient with the resident population
advertising it's benevolent intentions
Moreover. how were soldiers, who, ac-
cordlng 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 lngratl-
tude of the man was beyond him. IL
was an hour before lie recovered from
the shock, and when the eruption final
" began Turner stopped him.
"Return good for evil" he admon-
ished
Larson was dazed anew, and his
dumbness returned upon him.
1--WE must" continued Turner III
is best for him that he should pay his
honest debts, and we must do What
we can to make him see his best III
terests"
It 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, a look, halr anger, nail
terror on his face and his right hand
grasping nervously for his cane. The
intruder was Turner. Don Felpe's APP
prehensions were soon quoted, how
ever. Turner stopped at three PAGES
from the door, hat in hand. and made
deep obeisance.
"WiIl the senior grant me wordT
Don Felipe radiated majesty Tor n
half minute, then pronounced;
81 shall hear you"
Turner expressed gratitude.
1.-THE senior no doubt expects to dis
pose of his plantation"
No reply.
"The condition of the country Is ex'
tremely unsettled and the future Is I'M
certain. The new administration may
rot be friendly to Spanish interests
Being an American, | am willing TO
place capital here. In case the senior