The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-10-09
A SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
BY HENRY HUMISToN.

BY HENRY HUMISToN.
MANUEL, the fat bartender in
lVI 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 a 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
shave; he was pale and nervous, and
smoked necessarily, lighting one
clgaret from the butt of the other
Bob" said the tall American, Il
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 If you haven't
before. Let me know where l 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 1,2OO
Mausers now, thanks to you.
But"
Didn't yourgang get the cartridges
put ashore from the fishing boat
last Tuesday,"
Eyes, 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.
I delivered the goods. You say you
got 'em. What's the kick?"
simply this" went on the other
man. "You delivered the goods you
promised. But you are flibuster
A fHbuster / understand generally
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 | thought that by getting a well
equipped little army together Con
zales would be afraid to start any
trouble. I engaged you first. You
were my agent You had no right to
go into the employment Of Gonzales.
But what could l expect a fill"
zone mans gold is as good as
another's, isn't it?" asked the fill
buster
Yes" answered the tall Ameri-
can. sulkily. "to a man who doesn't
know what honor is"
"In other words. a filibuster," said
the short man.
Exactly"
The dlsreputable man smiled sadly
and lit 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? It will make no difference
though. If he is ready to fight, he'll
fight I know what il means in the
end. Il means ruin TO me. that's all
If I could have won out by that little
trick was planning to turn on him
il would 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 fiibuster, heres Con
zales"
The colonel entered the cafe blink
ing his ewes like an owl as he stepped
from the bAlliantly lighted street into
the cool darkness of the cafe. HC
stopped i'm astonishment when he saw
the flibuster and Bob Nelson to-
eether. The fHbuster called hin
over.
Colonel" said the flibuster, my
friend. Mr.. Martin. thought ought tC
acouaint YOU with the fact that | have
sold him 1.2OO stands Of arms anC
cartridges to match
The colonel shrugged his shoulders
81 know H." he said briefly. For tha
am glad. He has what you cal
bluffed. shall call that blum There
will be a pretty fight am th'
stronger. | shall win Is It not so?'
Colonel" said the tall American
81 am not a coward You know that
p I'm willing to fight you to the las
ditch But what's the use of killing
off a lot Of people? What's all th'
trouble about. anyhow? You are go
ing to crush me because your daueh
Ter loves me and love her You wan
10 force her into a marriage with
N
contemplate old octogenarian tina
she despises. You envy me the hol
have on the people here. You hay
/. a prejudice against me because l an
an American, and you want to ruii
me. Every cent have in the worl
! is invested here. I've got TO fight 10
my rights If you force me TO, but
would prefer some other way"
s There is" said the colonel "Ther
\ is. Leave the country. Go away
Never see my daughter again. Neye
% come back"
"Ill not do that" said the Ameri
can. shortly.
Then tomorrow you will star