Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-04-25


gulf of Mexico the sea, though calm,
caused our steamer-which drew but
little water. hence was top-heayy-to
heave quite perceptibly. AS a result,
the majority Of the passengers prefer
red to withdraw to the privacy of their
staterooms.
The temperature was pleasantly
warm and the night perfectly serene.
Not a cloud appeared on the face Of
the sky. The moon and the countless
stars exhibited their lustrous splendOr
in a perfection of brilliancy unknown
IN the north. they seemed to be so
much nearer to the earth than | was
wont to see them.
was sitting on the deck Eliminating
and enjoying a smoke when a Spanish
gentleman. one of my first acquain.
tances since l had come aboard, joiu-
ed me. His manly appearance coupled
with frankness and natural ami
ability as we'll as refined manners, had
attracted and impressed me favora0ly
from the very beginning.
After having exchanged a few re
marks as to each others motive Tor
visiting Cuba, he related to me the
story of his life which, indeed, was so
much like a romance that think il
worth being published. Here, as near
as l can remember, are his own words:
4 was born In Granada, Spain.
After my parents death, having BEEN
graduated from the college and -
years old, made up my mind to travel
and try my luck outside OF my coun-
try. I embarked for Havana where
remained eight months. Thence
went to Santiago de Cuba and later
to Puerto Principe.
When twenty-one, had very
good position on large plantation in
the Yuelta Arriba in northern Cuba.
The proprietor lived on the plantation
which yielded him a royal income. His
only daughter, fourteen years old at
that time, was a sweet girl and prom
Used to become a beauty. When she
was eighteen. she was the IoveIiest
woman / had ever seen. Contrary 70
the Cuban type, she was a blonde.
In common, however, with the sisters
of her country, she had large. dark.
brown and dreamy eyes, long eye
lashes, dimpled face, plump hctls
hands. small feet and a graceful form
Il Was-how could it be otherwise?
deeply in love with Juanita which
sentiment was in time returned.
had been four years on the plantation,
and Juanita had celebrated her eigh-
teenth birthday when her father more
theoretically than ever pressed mis-
daughter to become the wife of a cap
tain Of the Havana garrison. The lat
ter was friend of Juanita's father.
and d frequent visitor at the pIanta-
ton. They were both passionate
chess players. and the time the captain
spent on the plantation was entirely
devoted to the game. It had been de-
cided that after tn, marriage the cap
tain was to quit the army, and the
young couple to make their home On
a beautiful hacienda near the planta
ton.
"Jaanita, however, became my wife,
which circumstance the enraged father
swore never to pardon. If acted
selfshly that time the wrong has fully
been atOned for. After our marriage
W. made our home in Mantanzas.
Though | had not the means to sur
round my young wife with the luxury
OF her paternal mansion, [ had some
wealth and very good income; and
our coy home was Inhabited by the
happiest couple on earth, After two
years a daughter was born to us.
Now. at the height of our happiness,
fate began to turn against US. In
order TO be able to provide for Juanita
every bit Of the comfort she had given
up ,or my sake, it had been my con
slant zeal to accumulate riches. Ow.
ing 70 overwork my health broke
dow. and / became the victim of the
fever. For whole year had to re-
nounce every bit OF work, the sickness
having weakened my constitution to
such an extent. Business enterprises
that bid fair to turn out successfully,
owing to my long absence, failed, and
brought on heavy financial losses; but
what was worse than the rest, the
woTry about me and the care of GU.
baby had entirely exhausted my wife.
she took sick-neyer to recover.
When every hope for her final rs
coyery had vanished, Juanita sent a
letter 10 her father asking him to re
ceive her baby to be cared for al
his home. To this he consented or
condition that l would pledge myself
not to see the child before she Lad at
tanned the age OF sixteen. BY GO
means would my wife have me agree
TO such d heartless stipulation. Be
fore another week Juanita had passed
away
For my sake the dear departed bad
refused to submit TO her fathers de.
mand yet 1 was fully aware that
under the circumstances, physically
and financially a wreck with little
hope for recovery child would
be best served by being given up 70
her grandfather; it would secure Tor
her the best OF care and education
AS hard as It was for me. parted with
my child for the sake Of the chlds
welfare Agony and distress came
near depyiying me OF my reason. I haa
TO leave the country and forget the
past