The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-16
THE LITTLE CUBAN.

~ (By NJ. Quad)
different"
The young man of % looked, across
the library table at his father and his
jaw insensibly became f1rmer.
.'Or-or you will be no son of mine.'
II was the old story over again. The
father was old and settIed-the young
forgot that he had had his, and even
brought up in Jail al the end of it, He
had also piled up debts. He had also
been expelled from college. He had also
gambled and fallen into the hands of
an adventures. 1t was born in the
blood of young Percy Havens, and yet
the father refused to admit it. The
saying that a wild young man makes a
good deal of truth. but many fathers
do not care to see it tested.
mo, sir-no' son of mine,'' said the
father after a long pause. You have
disgraced me over and over again, and
the end has come. Drop them all or go
your own way and forget that 1 am
your father"
At the age of % he had heard al
most exactly the same words from his
own father. He had been called into
the library. He had been threatened
He had resented it. He had listened
and then gone out of the house to be
heard of no more for ten long years
Strange that he should try the same
tactics on his own flesh and blood and
think the result would be any differ
ent.
Very well. sir" replied the young
man as he rose UP.
He fingered at the door for a moment
as if he would say goodby. but his
father kept his stern-set look and in
vited nothing of the kind. A moment
passed and then the young man was
gone. Half an hour later he was out of
the house with change of clothing and
less than ten dollars in his pocket In
col II in CNYII Z a bod ooh
ed the island as one of the crew of a
hlibuster. The captain of the craft had
had his attention drawn to the young
man by his good looks, his general
bearing and the reckless and defiant
CLINT of his eyes, and had said to his
mate:
There's a gentleman gone wrong for
you Got in trouble with his old dad
and has made a skip. If he intends to
join the Cubans somebody ought to
have talk with him.
Give him a little sermon yourself"
laughed the mate.
three or four volunteers had gone
ashore the captain saw that young
White, which was the name on the
ships articles. was hanging in the wind.
drop the idea" said the officer. ITS
all very sentimental to talk of patriot
ism and Cuban liberty. but you don't
know the crowd as well as I do. There
is jealousy, envy and discord. They
walton and not even a thankee at the
end of it. Better go back home"
"But I have no home" was the re-
ply.
''Hoot-toot You've had a row with
the old man and got your back up. He
has been too stiff with you. perhaps.
but you can make it up in half an
hour Come down off your high horse
bit, my boy"
IL couldn't go back now, after
having walked out. Thanks captain,
for your interest in me, but I'll take in
a few months of this anyhow. 1t
ought to steady me down. I guess I've
been a little wild.
"Thats your crowd laughed the
captain as the band of insurgents that
had met the steamer to unload the
arms began quarrelling among them
selves.
IT guess it's pretty tough crowd"
replied White, "but I'll try to chum up
with them some way. There'H be
rows enough to keep me from think
ing of other things-things back in
the states. So long ana thanks again.