Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-31
A SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
BY HENRY. T1UMIsToN.

III IA
MANUEL, the fat bartender in
IVk the Cafe Pasaje, looked sharp
~ at the two Americans leaning
against the bar, and when he was
sure that he was unobserved he called
his patron saint to witness, and then
spit viciously in the direction of the
hated Gringoes. Outside the white
tropical sunlight danced in the de-
serted streets Of La Sinceridad. A
soldier was sleeping in doorway,
and a small child, very airily attired,
peered curiously in at the door of the
cafe at the two strangers. One OF the
Americans was tall and straight and
well groomed. The other mans
clothes bore mute evidence to having
been slept in many times. The man
himself looked badly in need of a
shave; he was pale and nervous, and
smoked necessarily, lighting one
cigaret from the butt of the other
Bob" said the tall American, ST
have heard all sorts of rumors. Did
you sell me out? AS man to man, as
fellow countrymen, beg of you to be
square with me now il you haven't
before. Let me know where I stand,
what l am to expect Have you sold
me out?"
The man in the much worn Broad
way suit shrugged his shoulders
Didn't you get the rifles you bought
of me?"
"why, yes; my men have 1900
Mausers now, thanks to you.
But"
Didn't your gang get the cartridges
I put ashore from the fishing boat
last tuesday,"
"Yes, we got the cartridges and the
two rapid fire guns that you brought
to us. too. although where you got
them I can't imagine
you gave me an order for 1900
rifles and 100000 rounds of cartridges.
delivered the goods. You say you
got EN- What's the kick?"
Simply this went on the other
man. '.You delivered the goods you
promised. But you are filituster.
A flibuster understand Agenerally
plays fast and loose. He takes money
from all sides. don't say you have
done this, but I've been told SO. You
sold me guns. I'm told you've sold
guns and cartridges to Col. Gonzales,
too. Consequently he's ready to
strike a blow, and I've got to fight,
when l thought that by getting we'll
equipped little army together Cons
zales would be afraid to start any
trouble. 1 engaged you first. You
were my agent. You had no right to
go into the employment of Gonzales.
But what could I expect fiji"
cone mans gold is as good as
another's, isn't it?" asked the fill
buster.
YES" answered the tall Ameri-
can, sulkily, ito man who doesn' t
know what honor is"
I'm other words, filibuster," said
the short man.
Exactly
The disreputable man smiled sadly
and lit a fresh cigaret.
There comes your other MASTER
went on the tall American. There's
Gonzales. He doesn't know, perhaps,
that you have been playing fast and
loose with us both. Why don't you
tell him? 1t will make no difference
though. If he is ready to fight, he'll
fight. / know what it means in the
end. 1t means ruin to me, that's all
If I could have won out by that little
trick was planning to turn on him
1T woul6 have settled everything. But
anyhow, played the man; / wasn't
sneak and a coward that"
Just cut that out for the time be-
ing" said the filibuster, there's Con
Zales."
The colonel entered the cafe blink
ing his eyes like an owl as he stepped
from the brilliantly lighted street into
the cool darkness of the cafe. He
stopped in establishment when he saw
the filibuster and Bob. Nelson to-
gether. The fflibuster called him
over.
Colonel" said the f1libuster, "my
friend, Mr.. Martin, thought / ought to
acquaint you with the fact that I have
sold him 1900 stands of arms and
cartridges to match"
The colonel shrugged his shoulders
s'I know it, he said briefly, For that
7 am glad. He has what you call
bluffed. / shall call that bluff. There
will be pretty fight. am the
stronger. l shall win. Is 1t not sop
Colonel" said the tall American
SCI am not coward. You know that
I'm willing to fight you to the last
ditch. But what's the use of killina
off lot of people? What's all the
trouble about, anyhow? You are GO
ding to crush me because your daugh-
ter loves me and love her. You want
to force her into marriage with 8
contemplate old octogenarian thai
she despises. You envy me the hold
have on the people here. You have
a prejudice against me because an