The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-08-12
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{ PRIVATE JOHNS0N'S
!: ! LOVE AFFAIR -
I.
BY EDWARD MARSHALL
Copyright, 1908, by I. c. Mcclure

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! Private Johnson of G company was
much in love. But although he daily
for blissful hour or so did sentry duty
within a few feet of her, he had not
been able to disclose his love. He
could not speak Spanish nor she Eng
lish. They had been forced to confine
their evidences of affection he TO
smiles and signs, she to the same, sup
plemented by languid movements of
her fan. Private Johnson could stand
1t no longer; so that night after he had
"biked" with the others Of - guard
to the barracks he confided his troubles
to his "bunkee," Mike Nolan.
I'm stuck on the slickest little Span
ish girl that ever waved fan"
"What is She SplgadyT asked Null
Inns.
"No, she amt" said Johnson; and
that's the trouble"
Now 1t must be explained that when
the American army took possession of
Havana there were few men in 1t, ell
Their officers or privates, who could
speak Spanish Therefore the residents
of the Cuban capital, black, yellow and
white, who found it for many reasons
absolutely necessary to communicate
with the Americans created new Ian
guage.
It was and is more involved and In
tricate in its futile limitations of our
mother tongue than the 'pidgin Eng
fish" of the Chinaman. And any Gu
ban who can speak this strange patois
announces with much pride, II spigady
InglIs." The quick witted Americans
christened all these "Spigadles."
I've got to take her home with me, F."
Johnson said gloomily. I'D rather go
up San Juan hill again than go home
without her"
Private Mullins pulled refiectively on
a long cigarette. Private Mullins had
had his own love affair since he had
been In Cuba. and 1t had not turned
out well. lie had been imbittered by
1t. 1t had merely made him sympa-
thetic.
Tell me about it, Johnson" he said.
"Well, 1t was this way: When | was
put ON sentry duty down there by the
bank | couldn't help but look in the
windows next door, and saw her.
And, oh. Mullins, boy. she's the wonder
of the age. And | smiled. and she
smiled, and I'm In love with her, and
she's in love with me"
"Why don't you write it, you ldlot?'
asked Mullins.
you've as much brains as turpen-
tine mango, Mullins, or less" said
Johnson. III | could write 1t | could
talk 1t. too, couldn't -
well" said Mullins reflectiyely, Il
meant that you could get some of the
fellows to write 1t for you"
you're trying to let me ill.," said
Johnson, eying him suspiclously. rs
there Il man in this regiment you'd
trust to write such Il letter for you|
NO" said Mullins, there amt. But
I'll tell you what. | know an officer in
the rurales rural police who speaks
English and who'd do 1t. You've got
TO hurry, though"
why" asked Johnson.
Were ordered home" said Mullins.
81 heard the general tell the colonel so
today. l was on orderly duty at head
quarters. you know"
'IIooray" shouted johnson, and
some one who was trying to 90 to sleep
threw cantceu at him
That night the two friends devoted
an hour to the composition of the great
letter which the lieutenant was TO
translate into Spanish
1t was a plain, straightforward re
cltal of the young soldiers love and
circumstances. 1t described his home
and told her, much to Mullins amaze
was we'll to do
rs that straight?" asked Mullins
doubtfully.
Sure" said Johnson. 81 wouldn't lie
to her, you chump."
Mullins said he thought the letter
would be all right after the lieutenant
had thrown some hifalutn Spanish
phrases into 1t.
The next day Mullins took the letter
to his friend the lieutenant of rurales,
whose name was Linares. The lieuten-
ant loving intrigue as all Spaniards do,
said that he would be delighted to
serve Mullins friend.
''Shall l address the letter alsoY' ask
ed the lieutenant.
You'd better" said Mullins. Then
it will be all In the same handwriting.
you must first give the address,"
said the lieutenant.
And Mullins gave 1t to him If he had
been quick witted he would have no
ticed an instantaneous change in the
quality of the smile upon the lieuten-
ants face. but he missed it,
''rhe taste of your friend is sublime,
superb, quite worthy of an American
soldier"
You know her. them" asked Null
Inns.
Il have seen her" said the lieutenant
as he rolled fresh cigarette. "She Is
beautiful, very. | will have the letter
IN an hour"
In an hour Mullins went back. The
lieutenant rapidly translated it to him.
The long. dignitied and tiowery decla-
ration of Private Johnson's love poured
from his lips in sonorous sentences.
Mullins wrote them down in English.
When he read them to johnson that
night the latter heaved sigh of salts
faction.
1T takes these dagoes," he said final,
". ito sling language"
Next day when Private Johnson took
his place on sentry duty his heart beat
faster, 1t seemed an age before the
shy but smiling face OF the charming
Spanish girl appeared behind the bars
of the big window. Her head was CO.
quettishly covered by n mantlla of
black lace and in her hand she heldthe
dainty fan which she knew SO well)how
10 use. The wonderful letter WIS In
the inner pocket OF his blouse. He sa-
Iuted bluShinoly-A she fwovasI nor hand