The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-09-18
PRIVATE J0HNS0N'S
LOVE AFFAIR -
BY EDWARD MARSHALL


|
been able to disclose his love. He
could not speak Spanish nor she Eng
lish. They had been forced 10 contine
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
il no longer; SO that night after he had
"biked" with the others of his 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-Spigady? asked Null
Inns.
NO, she amt" said Johnson; land
that's the trouble"
Now il must be explained that when
the American army took possession Of
Havana there were few men in il. 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 a new Ian.
guage.
1t 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
Oan who can speak this strange patois
announces with much pride, Il spigady
Inglis." The quick witted Americans
christened all these "Spigadies."
1--WE got TO take her home with me"
Johnson said gloomily. I'D rather go
up San Juan hill again than go home
without her.
Private Mullins puffed reflectively on
a long cigarette Private Mullins had
had his own love affair since he had
been in Cuba, and it had not turned
out well. He had been imbittered by
it. 1t had merely made him sympa-
thetic.
Tell me about it. Johnson" he said.
"Well, it was this way: When l was
put on sentry duty down there by the
bank l 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 idiot?"
asked Mullins.
you've as much brains as a turpen-
tine mango, Mullins, or less" said
Johnson. IF could write it | could
talk it, too. couldn't II"
well" said Mullins refectively, ~
meant that you could get some of the
fellows To write it for you"
you're trying 10 let me in" said
Johnson, eying him suspiciously. SIS
there a man in this regiment you'd
trust to write such letter for you"
mo" 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 it, You've got
to hurry. though"
why" asked Johnson.
Were ordered home" said Mullins
Il heard the general tell the colonel so
today. | was on orderly duty at head
quarters, you know"
"Hooray" shouted Johnson, and
some one who was trying to go to sleep
threw IA canteen ut 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 plain. straightforward re-
cital of the young soldiers love and
circumstances. 1t described his home
and told her. much 10 Mullins amaze
ment that Private Johnson's family
was well to do
us that straight" asked Mullins
doubtfully.
Sure" said Johnson. II wouldn't lie
TO her, you chump."
Mullins said he thought the letter
would be all right after the lieutenant
had thrown some hifalutin Spanish
phrases into it,
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 | address the letter also? 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 ii 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.
"The taste Of your friend is sublime.
superb, quite worthy Of an American
soldier"
You know her, them asked Null
Inns.
II 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. dignified and flowery decla-
ration Of Private Johnson's love poured
from his lips i'm sonorous sentences.
Mullins wrote them down I'm English.
U~hoV ha ,.noI tho,, TnI1eo,, tI,ot