Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-04-18


The soldier was at ease Immediately.
"Socsin don't like the idea. He has il
all arranged to marry ConsUelo 10
some damned dago In few days he
will speak TO the colonel and | will
suddenly discover that | am detailed
somewhere on the other side OF the
island. You know that the colonel
and Jumping Junipero are thick as the
chums. Or else Consuelo will be sent
back to the convent at Manila
I'D like to help you. Jim said the
captain. but what can | do? We are
both in the service, remember
''Oh, cap, you ought to know some
way" insisted the private. You got
lis through that slough at Santa Ana.
and-well I'd rather have stayed there
than lose her"
The captain chewed refectively on
| an unlighted cigar. When | wanted
TO marry" he remarked absently,
there were objections and obstacles
We ran away. OF course. you couldn't
do anything of that sort
No" said Ragan. watching the cap
tain's face intently.
Well lets change the cuDject," said
the officer, abruptly. Those are fine
| horses of the colonel's" He pointed
TO the open window, through which
could be seen the coionel's carriage,
| presented to him by Presidente Soc
sin. The horses could hardly be still
| for an instant.
Those horses" continued the cap
tain. watching with much interest a
| big lizard on the ceiling, can beat
any horses in Negros.
oh" cried the captain sud
denly. regarding that matter. you see
| that | can do nothing"
Il understand replied Ragan His
spirits seemed to have revived. Thank
you. captain He saluted and left, with
a trace of smile on his face.
Col. Jones. L. S. v, never forgot
his dignity. Even in a blue shirt,
| splashed with mud from head to foot,
| in the trenches, he had preserved his
| dignity. When on the skirmish line
| it had been necessary 10 sprawl on
| his stomach he did SO in a dignified
manner. He was dignity personified
that afternoon, as he stepped down the
stairs to enter the carriage.
He stopped suddenly and stared in
dignified amazement. Surely, he
thought, his eyes were playing him
tricks.
The Filipino coachman was thrown
| from his seat and struck the ground
with distinct grunt. A mestiZa girl
in white leaped lightly into the car
riage. and soldier mounted the driv
er's seat. The vehicle disappeared in
a cloud of dust.
An excited sentry discharged his
piece into the air. which brought most
of the regiment and all the idle popu-
lation of the town 10 headquarters in
very few minutes.
What is the matter. colorel?" in
quired Capt. Morton. appearing in his
shirtsleeves. with cigar in his mouth.
THE matter. sir?" replied the col
onel. with dignified indignation. The
matter is that one of your guttersnipes
has stolen my carriage and run oil
with the presidente's daughter"
The case of Young Lochinvar-"
began the captain.
''Confound it, sir" stormed the COL
onel. your joke is ill-tlmed. I'll Young
Lochinvar him. Sergeant Allen. take
your detail in pursuit instantly"
Fifteen men who had been impro-
vised as trough riders" galloped out of
the town at breakneck speed. But
when they had proceeded little dis
lance | regret TO say that sergeant or
dered Halt"
I'VE are in no hurry" he remarked
calmly.
But tho colonel said" began
one of the men.
You take a running jump at your
self. Hungry Hogan said the SER
geant sharply. What has the colonel
got to do with 'Negros Light Cav
alry?' My horse is lame. There is
padre at Pontivedra. Let Jim have
time to be hitched. seeing that he is
| fool enough to want TO. Precious lit
| tie amusement he will get afterward.
It's Billibid prison for keeps TO him.
guess"
Its a shame" said another of the
men. If man can't keep his loot,
what did we volunteer for?"
Because we were born foolish.
guess" replied the sergeant.
Meanwhile Capt. Morton had sought
out jumping Junipero" and explained
| TO him with much difficulty. through an
| interpreter. that in America Senior Di-
ego Ragan's social standing was high
| as the coloners. By degrees the pres
| idente began to be consoled. In the end
he seemed quite happy. He desired TO
embrace his new son-in-law with all
possible speed. There remained only
the colonel to be reckoned with, but
| the captain chewed his cigar obviously.
Just as the last rays of the setting
sun tinted saffron and crimson the
west side of the volcano Malaspinas.
| the rough riders escorted the carriage
containing the two offenders into town.
| Theoretically they came in disgrace.
but from all appearances their return
| was an event to be celebrated. The
soldiers cheered noisily and the nat
ives. catching the spirit OF the thing.
shouted Viva"
But suddenly all the clamor ceased.
The colonel stood on the summit of
his stairs. awful in his dignity.
| The carriage wac driven nm IN head