River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-01-15
TIE Web
She WoGe
By w. O. MCCLELLAN.

THE Ouiapo district of Manila is
denseIy populated with the poor
er class of Filipinos. Yet the peo-
pie of this quarter once owned the
richest prize in all the Philippines,
the Gallo Blanco, who was victor OF
as many mains as he had feathers.
In those days, the Quiapo was almost
PROSPEROUS, for the Gallo BlanCo
doubled his income by means Of
bets.
Legally he was the property of the
Widow Mercado, who kept little
fruit and beno stand, but her neigh
bors regarded the bird as a district
possession, and the widow as custo-
dian, which, in itself, was an honor
to be coveted. She would have sold
that honor and all that she owned to
possess Isadoro, the dissipated young
wood-carver, who strolled in every
evening and after becoming loqua
ciousIy drunk with her beno, went
forth to make love to Maria, the
bakers daughter
Aside from the beno stand, 3he
Widow Mercado was blessed with no
charms. She was of the darkroom
pleXioned type of Filipino, and sew
cral years older than IsadOro. He
might, at any time, decide to mend
his ways and marry Maria. This cost
the widow many sleepless nights, and
numerous centimos for candles to
gain the good offices of Nostra Sonora
del Quiapo.
Down at Malate they had a game
cock which had vanquished all the
champions of that suburb, and
match was arranged for him and the
Gallo Blanco. The people of Quiap"
were jubilant because the Malate
folk, with the courage Of their CON
yictions, backed their bird even
money.
Isadoro, who seconded the Gallo
Blanco in all his duels, appeared al
the beno stand early in the after
noon to bear the feathered warrior
to the battle-ground. The widow had
always smiled sweetly at IsadOrO, but
this afternoon her smile was sugary
to the extreme. Almost before lie
had seated himself she placed the
seductive benO bottle at his elbow,
and he Immediately commenced a
long series of toasts to the Gallo
Blanco, while the widow went To
the little yard to get the bird.
She loosened the lettering string
from the trunk of banana, and,
drawing the fowl toward her, gath
cred him into her arms. She glanced
stealthily around; there was a
scarcely audible snap, and the bird
pecked viciously at her face.
In the name of NOstra Sonora del
Quiapo," she muttered.
by the time she returned to the
shop, Isadoro's mind was in a musty
state, and he was singing "Scbre Los
Olas" out of tune. The beno bottle
was empty.
"Dios!" cried the widow, in appar-
ent Indignation; you are too drunk
to manage the Gallo Blanche to-day"
Isadoro drew himself up with
maudlin dignity. you mistake, Sc
nora-only a few glasses to the
health of our king. Too drunk?
Bah! No one else could manage him.
1t would be unlucky. / am the
kings man, /, IsadOro. Even money.
The Quiapo will be rich to-Eigh,.
Viva Ell rey!"
The wood-carver staggered down
the Gale Roam with the bird under
one arm. The widow watched him
until he disappeared around cor
ncr. Then she withdrew to the in
ner apartment, and, falling on her
knees, whispered: by tonight he
will be mine. In the name of Nos
ira Sonora del Quiapo."
Isadoro arrived at the Malacanan
cockpit none too soon. Several pre-
liminary fights had taken place, and
the crowd was becoming impatient
for the great event. The Malate
birds second had already adjusted
the gaff to his charges leg and stood
holding him carefully in his arms
One of the Quiapo men held the Gallo
Blanco while Isadoro fastened the
sharp little knife to it's place OF
1he leg. He could have performed
the feat blindfolded, so accustomed
was he to it. The thread was knot
ted securely, and everything was
ready.
The pit was cleared of all save the
seconds and the judge. The former
brought their respective charges
close together, and permitted them
to peck at each other that the blood
would be stirred to the fighting TEN
per. At word from theumpire, the
seconds dropped the birds and drew
back. The crowd watched the crouch
ing fowls breathlessly, and with
bullying eyes.