Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-04-23

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bullying eyes.
1t had been the custom of Gallo
Blaneo to spring at his adversary al
most as soon as he touched the
| ground This was the secret Of hi;
success, for the gaffs used in the
Philippines are three or four inches
long and razor-edged; consequently
the cock who gets in the first blow
usually puts his opponent hors de
i combat.
The Gallo Blanco crouched with
head forward, neck feathers bris'
tied just an instant too long. The
brown bird of Malate sprung upon
him like a flash. There was a
blurred tangle of brown and white
and little cloud of gray dust. When
il subsidized the Gallo Blanco faced
/ his adversary wabbling INSTEAD
lily, while a little scarlet stream
spurted over his glossy white feath-
ers. A deep groan and a storm Of
imprecations came from the Quiap0
people. The Gallo Blanco made a
last weak attempt TO reach his foe,
stumbled and rolled over dead.
In the pandemonium of cheers and
curses several Quiapo men leaped into
the pit. One of them, old Alessandro,
the shoemaker, an expert on cock
fighting, seized the body of the Gallo
Blanco and examined it infinitely.
Suddenly he waved his hand for 81
lence, his wrinkled face distorted
with rage.
"His leg is broken" he shouted in
Tugalo. 'Isadoro has crippled him.
There was general movement to-
ward the pit, but the old man cried
out just in time: Back Remember
that the American soldiers are here.
We can do nothing. Let US go to
the Widow Mereado and get her TO
make an accusation to the American
officials"
The Quiapo portion of the crowd be-
gan tofile out Of the inclosure. Come,
you pig, and son of pig" said
Alessandro to the dazed lsadoro,
come, or a knife in the back to you,
speedily"
Isadoro followed him like one IN a
trance. Now and then he muttered
through cracked lips: "Dios! / did
not do it, Ny king, oh, my king"
Maria, the daughter of the baker,
spat upon him as he passed her.
Animal she cried, furiously. Isa-
doro had been tried and found guilty.
At the official trial numerous wit
nesses would be produced to swear
that they saw him cripple the bird,
and he would be sent to Bilibid prison
for several years. The people Of
Quiapo had been impoverished |
through the deed, and wanted salts |
faction. If they had lost fairly, they |
would have borne it philosophically, |
for the Filipinos are good gamblers"
but to lose through apparent treach-
cry reused their fury to the highest |
pitch.
We're il not for the fact that sew
eral of the older men realized that |
the American authorities were I'M
reasonable enough to set a higher
'tAtNN oA "a hhiiitAAA AAit AAidn tildI Oh a
game-eock, Isadoro would have been
of long before they reached
the beno stand.
My little ones will starve,"
shrieked a mother of many; "all we
had was on the Gallo Blanco. Kill
the traitorl" And others echoed the
cry of kill"
The widow was serving Private
Smith, of the Manila constabulary
with contraband liquid when. the
procession arrived. At sight of the
khaki uniform most of the crowd
drew back.
Sonora" said the old shoemaker,
with forced calmness, 'Isadoro Grip.
pied the Gallo Blanco, and he was
killed. Come with us to the court
and make complaint
lsadoro cast look of mute appeal
1t the widow. 1t was entirely su-
perfuous. She shrugged her lean
shoulders. 1T may be
true, or it may not" said the widow.
quietly; but | will not make COM
plant. The Gallo Blanco was mine.
Vamos, or | will tell the policeman
to drive you away"
She laid her hand gently on Isa-
doro's shoulder and drew him into
the little nipa hut. With muttered
curses the crowd withdrew.
Tonight" announced the widow,
I'VE will go to the padre at the
Church of Nostra Sonora del Quiapo
to be married"
Isadoro drew back from her with
a curse. He looked into that unat-
tractiye face with something much
akin to hatred. IF not" added the
widow, with look of determination.
Il will tell the policeman to take
ya."
Then Isadoro realized that he was
chained to her by circumstances. and
that, save for her, he had no friend
In all the Philippines. Also. Bilibid
prison was place to be avoided.
Il will GO" he said, finally. in ac-