The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-05-07

one dark night two SentipelS wer
pacing back and forth before the cap
tain generals palace in Havana. tn,
| Plaza dfArmas. on which the palac,
| stands. was deserted Just before thu
clock struck l. a tall figure wrapped
| in military cloak stood watching tn,
sentries from behind the statue OF
| Ferdinand. They met at the entrance
| then walked away from each other
| turning again at the end of their hea ts
The watcher was evidently waiting FOL
an opportunity TO dart between then
when their backs were turned and Just
before they faced about At last ht
put his design into practice and, with
lightning speed, passed the portal.
Mounting the staircase, assuming the
bearing OF one who belonged there. he
returned the salute Of n sentinel stand
ing near the captain generals door and
entered. Tacon sat alone at a large
table writing. He looked up nj the In
truder and asked sternly who he was
that thus entered unannounced.
zone who has important information
to impart TO the government"
How did you pass the guard"
THAT was not difficult"
what Is your business with me?"
''You have offered a reward for in
formation concerning the smugglers."
"Ah. That is your buslness?'
"You have offered a pardon to him
who will guide your ships TO the SNUG
glers' hiding places.
Il have"
"And special reward for the cap
ture Of their leader, Marti."
"Yes"
Il have come to give you the infor-
nation you desire"
well, | am ready to hear It."
FIRST, have ! your word that you
will give me free pardon?"
81 will"
But my crimes In the eye OF the law
are great. DO you still promisef"
III You perform your part, will per.
form mine"
even II am leader among the
contrabandistsY' al QmH
Yes" said Tacon after moments
thought "even If you are a leader
'Eyceilency. KNOW MAT Won are a
man OF honor Had not felt perfect
confidence In your word | should not
have ventured 10 thus come here"
You can trust me"
"Well, then. | will not further delay.
The man for whom you have offered
the double reward In here"
"Y0u are
captain Marti."
Al the mention OF this dreaded name
facon east his eyes upon brace OF
pistols lying on his desk. MART drew
a pair Of similar weapons and. step.
ping forward. laid them on the desk.
Il have no further use for these" be
said.
VERY we'll" said the governor. II
Will keep my word. but for the present
you must remain under guard"
81 am willing. your excellency."
The next day n Spanish warship OF
light draft steamed out Of the har-
Dor MART was on board to pilot the
government officers TO the rendezvous
of the smugglers. But the smuggiers
were already warned Not one Of them
was captured Nevertheless. the con
trahandist organization was broken up.
which was. after all. the main object.
MART returned In the ship and was
summoned before the governor, who
said 10 him:
Since you have performed your part
of the agreement | will perform mine
Here is a pardon for all past offenses
Aud here is an order on the treasurer
for
"Tbe reward do not claim" said the
ex-smuggler. putting up his hand depre-
catingly.
what do you meanf" asked the as
tonished governor.
II will make you a proposition. The
treasury Is poor. while | am rich. In
place of the reward give me the ex-
elusive right TO tish on the coast Of
Cuba. ! will at my own expense build
a market which shall be a credit to the
city Of Havana and which AT the end
VI twenty five years shall revert to the
The governor took time TO consider
The proposition and finally accepted H.
MART at once entered upon the work
Ing Of his privilege. Sending for bis
bid associates he employed them all.
md they made more money under the
law than they had made while con
stantly taking great risks. besides be
Dg paid for any losses thev sustained
while MART was leading the govern
nent TO their baunts MART knew
where the best fish were 70 be caught |
md supplied the city n Havana well /
Ind with great profit to himself. He I
built the market. ss he had agreed. and /
II the expiration Of twenty Eve years
{ reverted 10 the government.
Marti who grew very rich. obtained .
,pecial theatrical privileges In Havana
ind built the Tscon iheater
MARK ANDERSON.