Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1904-09-29
WOMAN'S
WEAPON
lOriginal.l

States and Mexico Joaquin Corcuelo, q
native Of the City OF Mexico, where he
had been brought up among the wealth.
fer classes. being of somewhat law
less disposition, preferred to lead
band OF guerrillas to placing himself
under military discipline. Corcuelo was
but twenty-five years old. fearless and
exceedingly handsome. The cOnse.
quence was that few Of the country
girls be met failed to fail in love with
him. None Of them affected him seri-
ously till he and his band camped one
night on small hacienda owned by
Miguel Sangrado, when Joaquin Cor.
cuelo and Concia Sangrado met.
Corcuelo spent some time near San.
grado's hacienda harassing the United
States troops. Every meeting with
Concia Sangrado bound him closer to
her and her to him. She soon came
to understand that in case he fell into
the hands Of his enemies, not being in
the regular military service, he would
not be exchanged as a prisoner Of war,
but would suffer death. This troubled
her greatly, and she begged him to give
up his guerrilla life and enter the army.
He finally consented to do so. and his
men agreed to go with him in body.
Corcuelo sent them to the capital under
command Of one Of his lieutenants. in.
tending to follow the next day. The
truth was, he could not tear himself
away from Concia Sangrado, and after
his troops departure gave himself up
to spending each day with her. each
day intending to so the next.
One evening two companies of United
States cavalry. under the command Of
Major Mackenzie, rode up to the hacien-
da and camped for the night. Corcuelo
was in the house, and as soon US the
soldiers appeared Concia placed him in
safe hiding. But a young Mexican.
who was in love with Concia and was
beside himself ut losing her to Corcuelo,
told the Americans that he was in the
house. and search resulted in his dis
covery.
Major Mackenzie, as soon as he was
satisfied that the man he had cap
tured was the notorious Corcuelo, who
had given the Americans so much trou-
bic In harassing their communications,
ordered that he be taken out at day
light the next morning and shot. His
decision was communicated to the pris-
oner, who sent at once for Concia for
q last farewell.
When Concia left the chamber in
which her lover was confined there was
the light Of terrible purpose in her
eyes. The soldiers were camped ON the
grounds Of the place, while their COM
mander occupied room in the house.
Concia went to her fathers bedroom,
where she knew he kept his weapons,
and, taking pistol, put it in the pock-
ct Of her dress. went to the majors
room and without knocking opened the
door. The major sat writing at a table;
but, seeing Concia standing in the door
way, he arose and said:
''Senorita, to what do l owe this
visit? The customs of your country
hardly admit
Concia entered the room, shut the
door behind her and locked it.
II come" she said. ito demand the
life Of Joaquin Corcuelo."
Drawing her pistol as she spoke, she
covered the major. He had unclasped
his belt, to which were attached his
saber and pistol, and it lay on Il chair
a few steps from him.
"Corcuelo is guerrilla" he said,
land that is the same as robber. My
orders are to shoot all such without
trial"
"Corcuelo has never been robber.
He is too high spirited to submit to
military discipline; therefore he has
fought you independently"
"My orders from my commander are
to shoot all citizens found in arms"
"And 1 have an order which comes
from my heart to kill you unless You re-
lease Corcuelo."
''Then l shall not die on the battle
field" said the major with perfect COM
posure. "But wait one moment till I
bid adieu to my Wife,"
"You are writing to your wife? Then
you know what it is to love-" Throw
ing away her pistol. Concia knelt be-
fore the table at which the officer had
been writing. II cannot take you from
one who loves you and cause her to
suffer what I suffer at losing the one
I love. Spare him to me. In the name
of the blessed Mother Of God. spare
him. I have induced him to abandon
his mode Of warfare and enter the
army. His band went three days ago
to the capital to enlist in body. He
would have gone with them but that
I could not bear to part with him. He
has delayed from day to day till your
coming. Spare him and promise you
that when he meets you again it will
be as a soldier"
The major rose from his seat went
to the kneeling figure and raised it.
'"Senorita, your request Is granted.
I shall disobey my order. and In doing
20 am liable to punishment have
only the word Of q Mexican girl, which
would not be sufficient for my general.
but II Is enough for me-"
Seating hir,seIf against the table. be